musical Halloween

A tune with some hot rodding connections. I see the Munster Dragula and a mention or two of woodies. Ah, ya takes what can gets.

when in doubt, link

Photos from the 1973 Pepsi Pro Invitational.

By John Denniston.

http://www.johndenniston.ca/blogwp3/?p=3401

some more track roadsters

Been scanning like crazy. Lots of negatives done. These are some more of the track roadster hot rods of the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Chuck Cookson.

Bob Donker.

midget cars from 1920

Two small looking vehicles featured on the pages of the Vancouver Sun in 1920.

a couple old movies

Found these ads in from the 1920s. Wallace Reid often had automobile racing themed movies.

Saturday morning sock hop

With a Halloween theme. Mr. Gasser and the Weirdos, "Hearse With a Curse".

always finding more

Chuck Robinson, who passed away recently, won a few races at the Abbotsford Airport drag races.

And there were other forms of racing going on out at Abbotsford. Motorcycles for instance.

even more hot rod photos

The Gordy "Suds" Sutherland collection is large, really large.

"Bregg" is probably Gregg. And Shorty Templeman went on to Indianapolis.

An early Suds Sutherland track roadster.

some more hot rod photos

The Roadster Racing Association of Washington came up to Digney Speedway in Burnaby a few times.

The Roadster Racing Association of Washington at a Seattle Auto Show, circa 1951.

A photo of the track roadsters on a Bremerton, WA, dirt track, circa 1951.

hot rods on northwest ovals

The "hot rods", track roadsters, raced up and down the coast for a few years after the Second World War. I've finally started scanning some negatives given to me a few years back by the late Don Radbruch. Don is one of the inspirations for this blog.

So to honour him, I better get these photos from the Gordy "Suds" Sutherland collection scanned and some of them online.

Two from Aurora Speedway, just north of Seattle.

Saturday, August 8, 1970, Langley Speedway

The information, especially concerning heat race results is sadly lacking. Not sure if I'll ever get it sorted out.

But here is the Saturday, August 8, 1970 results of super stocks and early-lates.

A look at the early-late class, specifically Lou Ferguson.

Saturday, August 8, 1970

Super stocks and early-lates

4000 in attendance.

Early-late dash

1 -- John Kowaliuk

B super stock dash

1 -- Brad Baerg

A super stock dash

1 -- George Cook

No heat race information.

Early-late consolation main

1 -- Bill Harris
2 -- Cliff Hague
3 -- Larry Ledoux

Early-late O’Keefe Trophy main (20 laps, 21 start, 10 finish)

1 -- Tom Fentie
2 -- Ken Marwood
3 -- Tom Edwards

Dennis Corfe lost a wheel during one of the mains.

B super stock main

1 -- Allan Mackie, 65 Chev
2 -- Jerry Serritt
3 -- Merv Meyers, 59 Pontiac

Super stock main (35 laps, 15 start)

1 -- Harvey Brown, Royston, BC, 350 Chev
2 -- George Cook
3 -- either Dennis Lester or John Rothwell

Lester and Rothwell crashed near the end and one of them finished 3rd. Two different reports have two different 3rd place finishers. Next report I find will be the tie breaker.

Bill Strachan, Bill Godfrey and Ken Sayers tangled. Godfrey and Sayers out.

Belmont Motors, sponsor to a big annual race and to John Rothwell

Thrill show, 1930s

I've seen ads for the Chrysler thrill show at Lansdowne Park in Richmond and The Willows in Victoria circa 1937. This film seems to show what the thousands who paid good Depression-era money saw.

Saturday, August 1, 1970, Langley Speedway

It would appear that the Saturday, July 25, 1970 race scheduled at Langley Speedway was rained out.

So we jump a week ahead to Saturday, August 1, 1970.

Saturday, July 25, 1970

Super stocks and early-lates

Rained out?

Story on the Jim Marchant rear-engined supermodified.

Saturday, August 1, 1970

Intercity
A modifieds, modified stocks and early-lates.

5000 in attendance.

Early-late dash

1 -- Jim Foreman
2 -- Dave Dixon
3 -- Robert Watson

Modified stock dash

1 -- unknown

A modified dash

1 -- unknown

First early-late heat

1 -- Jim Sneddon
2 -- Dave Dixon, 57 Chev
3 -- Don Hale, 56 Crown Victoria

Second early-late heat

1 -- Robert Watson
2 -- Del Anderson
3 -- Mel Hamilton

Third early-late heat

1 -- Gordy Mannes
2 -- Earl Wutke
3 -- Ted Mair

First modified stock heat

1 -- Bo Bo Baker
2 -- Larry Lundgren
3 -- unknown

A modified slow heat

1 -- Bob Warman

A modified fast heat

1 -- Cal Arnold
2 -- Roy Smith

Early-late main (22 start, 11 finish)

1 -- unknown

Frank Fletcher’s car totalled?

Modified stock main (14 cars)

1 -- Don Fletcher
2 -- Charlie Brown (Lloyd Bellamy)
3 -- Larry Lundgren

A modified main

1 -- Roy Smith
2 -- Barry Chamberlain
3 -- Albert Smith
4 -- Dennis Goldstraw

Saturday, July 18, 1970, Langley Speedway

Back to some regular Saturday night racing at Langley. The Intercity modifieds were featured.

Saturday, July 18, 1970

Intercity
A modifieds, modified stocks and early-lates

72 cars in the pits.

A modified dash

1 -- Dennis Goldstraw, rear-engine 343 Rambler

Modified stock dash

1 -- Brian Bishop

Early-late dash

1 -- unknown

A modified heat

1 -- Dennis Goldstraw

Barry Davies crashed into back straight wall.

No other heat race information.

Early-late B main

1 -- Dennis Corfe, “passionate purple Pontiac”
2 -- Larry Ledoux
3 -- Don Sass

Early-late A main

1 -- Frank Fletcher
2 -- Bob Whitefield
3 -- Duff Braun

Modified stock main

1 -- Bob Brodoway
2 -- Don Fletcher
3 -- Brian Bishop

A modified main

1 -- Gordon Stewart, Lynnwood, WA
2 -- Lloyd Armey, Sedro Wooley, WA
3 -- Barry Chamberlain

Wednesday, July 15, 1970, Langley Speedway

A big mid-week event, part of what would become known as the International Drivers Challenge (IDC). There were two variations, super stock and supermodified. This is the first IDC super stock race held at Langley.

Clippings from the Columbian newspaper. Part of the Langley Speedway Historical Society archives.

Wednesday, July 15, 1970

International $10,000 Unlimited Super Stocks

10000 in attendance.

Over 40 super stocks in attendance.

Super stock dash

1 -- Gordie Hemrich

Foreign stock dash

1 -- Bob Dresser, 64 VW

Foreign stock main (24 start, 20 laps)

1 -- Dennis Wall, Lynwood, WA, 63 Anglia
2 -- Jack McIntosh, Seattle, Renault
3 -- unknown

C super stock main

1 -- Brad Baerg
2 -- Harvey Brown, Oyster River
3 -- Al Baldwin

B super stock main

1-- Rick O’Dell, Victoria
2 -- Allan Mackie
3 -- Danny James

Lap 9, Bill Hunt and Barry Tukula crash. Both are out.

A main (18 start)

1 -- Hershel McGriff, $1000
2 -- Doug McGriff, $400
3 -- Gordie Hemrich, $200

Harold Hardesty and Bob Warman crash lap 3. Lap 5 Rick Adsit, Jim MacMillan, Jack Knight, Gordie Hemrich and Ken Sayers crash in turn one. MacMillan out. Sayers missed a few laps. Hemrich had rear damage.

Rush, the movie

Saw it a couple weeks ago. I see it's still in the theaters. Well, that's good.

Not a bad movie, better than many racing movies. When it comes out on DVD I'll grab a copy. Or suggest someone get it for me for Christmas. ;-)



Also read Niki Lauda's book from the late 1970s. Found it earlier this year at what seems to have been a bargain price (although still above the listed cover price from back in the day).

Again, pretty good.

Saturday, July 11, 1970, Langley Speedway

Another Saturday night race but the results are poor.

Saturday, July 11, 1970

Super stocks and early-lates

5000 in attendance.

Results are poor. But here is what I could pull from the newspapers I have:

Early-late dash

1 -- Eric Moilliet

B super stock dash

1 -- Rick Atchison

A super stock dash

1 -- unknown

Super stock slow heat

1 -- Bill Hunt, 61 Ford
2 -- Danny James
3 -- Bill Strachan

Super stock fast heat

1 -- Rick Adsit
2 -- Jim MacMillan
3 -- John Rothwell

B super stock heat

1 -- Allen Mackie
2 -- Jerry Serritt
3 -- Bob Grant, Kamloops

(not too confident about this race)

B early-late main

1 -- Del Anderson, 58 Ford
2 -- Dave Dixon
3 -- Jim Foreman

Early-late main

1 -- Eric Moillet, 57 Pontiac
2 -- Duff Braun
3 -- John Thompson

B super stock main

1 -- Rick Atchison, 57 Chev
2 -- Terry Serritt
3 -- Allen Mackie, 55 Chev

A super stock main

1 -- Gordie Hemrich
2 -- Rollie Walker, 57 Chev
3 -- John Rothwell
4 -- Dennis Lester

you say it's your birthday, Ed Crombie

Another day, another birthday.

I find these because some drivers made it up to the Champ car circuit so better information on them was gathered.

This day Ed Crombie of Williams Lake.

Ed Crombie (b. October 13, 1945 in Williams Lake, British Columbia) is a former Canadian-born United States Automobile Club Championship Car racecar driver.
He made four starts with a best finish of 7th at Mosport in 1977. He failed to qualify for the 1977 Indianapolis 500.

nice artwork for a program cover

The Westwood (and now Mission) Historics have had some pretty good covers. The artwork is always worth keeping them for years after.

But I was going to do that anyway, right?

you say it's your birthday

Don't have many birthdays on record so when one comes up I should recognize it.

This time Ed Kostenuk, whom I've noted in previous posts.

Ed Kostenuk (born on October 12, 1925 in Victoria, British Columbia - died on September 2, 1997) is a former USAC IndyCar racecar driver.
He made six starts from 1962 to 1964 with a best finish of eleventh place. He failed to qualify for the 1962 Indianapolis 500.

Some photos "borrowed" from the web.

Ed Kostenuk's champ car at Milwaukee.

Ed Kostenuk in the cockpit with Vi Scovell. Golden Wheels collection.

 His Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame entry can be read here.

track roadster (hot rod) racing from the northwest

Looks like at least Portland Speedway and Aurora (Seattle). Might be another track as well.

Great footage from the late 1940s. And some good hot rod music.

Saturday, July 4, 1970, Langley Speedway

The big Sea Festival races with a few familiar winners.

 Saturday, July 4, 1970

6000 in attendance

Sea Festival Race for super stocks and early-lates

A super stock dash

1 -- Gordy Hemrich, 64 Chevelle

B super stock dash

1 -- Ray Mackie, 57 Ford

Early-late dash

1 -- Marty White

First early-late heat

1 -- Ken Holstrom
2 -- Bill Harris
3 -- Gordy Mannes

Second early-late heat

1 -- Bill Dunn
2 -- Mel Hamilton
3 -- George Hamilton

Third early-late heat

1 -- Tom Edwards
2 -- Lee Thomas
3 -- Gary Steen

B super stock heat

1 -- Brad Baerg
2 -- Rick Atchison
3 -- unknown

Slow super stock heat

1 -- Ken McCauley
2 -- Bill Hunt (new car bought in U.S.)
3 -- unknown

John Erickson, Butch McCormack and Bill Strachan crashed. McCormack and Strachan out.

Fast super stock heat

1 -- Jim McMillan
2 -- Ken Sayers
3 -- Gordie Hemrich

Miss Mermaid A early-late main
1 -- Marty White
2 -- Lou Ferguson
3 -- Tom Edwards

Jim Fleming lost wheel and sparks caught gas tank on fire. He got free and was okay.

King Neptune B super stock main
1 -- Rick Atchison, 57 Chev
2 -- Don Gibson, 57 Chev
3 -- Larry Gibbons, 59 Ford

Miss Seafair Trophy A main

1 -- George Cook
2 -- John Rothwell
3 -- Dennis Lester
4 -- Ken Sayers, 66 Chevelle

First start: Jim McMillan and George Cook tangle. Restart, lap 2: McMillan spun. Next restart: red flag for McMillan, Cook and Danny James -- McMillan out. Hemrich was second until he spun on lap 30.

Saturday, June 27, 1970, Langley Speedway

Another Inter-city race.

Saturday, June 27, 1970

Inter-City modifieds

3000 in attendance

25 A modifieds
39 early-lates
10 modified stocks

Early-late dash

1 -- Lou Ferguson

Modified stock dash

1 -- Bert Jones

A modified dash

1 -- Len Barcelo

First early-late heat

1 -- Del Anderson
2 -- Jim Foreman
3 -- Gordy Mannes

Second early-late heat

1 -- Bill Hammond
2 -- G. Jewel
3 -- Dennis Corfe

Third early-late heat

1 -- Lou Ferguson
2 -- Bob Thomas
3 -- Marty White

Modified stock heat

1 -- Al Tourond
2 -- Dave Angus
3 -- Bo Bo Baker

First A modified heat

1 -- Bob Warman
2 -- Ted Glawson
3 -- Jack Cross

Fast A modified heat

1 -- Larry Sproule
2 -- Gerry McLees
3 -- Bob Stevens

O’Keefe’s trophy B early-late main

1 -- Don Hale
2 -- Jim Foreman
3 -- T. Merritt

Seven car accident on lap two. Three cars out. On lap six Gerry Wandler hit the cement wall and careered into the pits.

O’Keefe’s trophy A early-late main

1 -- Tom Edwards, 55 Chev
2 -- Bob Thomas, 56 Merc
3 -- Eric Molliet, 57 Pontiac

Larry Lodge started main. Caught fire. The fire was put out by the started and Lodge resumed the race.

Modified stock main

1 -- Al Tourond
2 -- Dave Angus
3 -- Bert Jones

A modified main

1 -- Gerry McLees
2 -- Roy Smith
3 -- Cal Arnold

Number 44, Gerry McLees, 301 Chev. Number 92, Levie Jones, Puyallup, WA. Upright 427 Chev, fuel injected. Timed in a 15.39. He was leading in the heat race when he lost his front wheel and axle. Car was repaired but did not run in the main.

Saturday, June 20, 1970, Langley Speedway

An unlimited super stock race with foreign stocks as the supporting group.

Saturday, June 20, 1970

Unlimited super stocks

10000 in attendance.

Over 40 cars at the race.

Hershel McGriff, Bridal Veil Falls, OR, won $1100. $100 for fast time (16.40) and $1000 for the main win.

Super stock dash

1 -- Gary Kershaw

By less than a bumper over McGriff.

Foreign stock dash

1 -- John Bolechowsky

First foreign stock heat

1 -- Bud Parske
2 -- Jim Friesen
3 -- Bryan Terrace

Second foreign stock heat

1 -- George Wagstaff
2 -- John Bolechowsky
3 -- Mike Stephens

Foreign stock main

1 -- George Wagstaff, Anglia
2 -- John Bolechowsky, VW
3 -- Ray Smith, Seattle, Renault

B super stock main

1 -- Don Hood, Grant’s Pass, OR, 65 Chevelle
2 -- Mac Morrison, 66 Chevelle
3 -- Phil Heer

Rick Adsit led most of the race. He had to pit with six laps to go. Bill Hunt, Ray Mackie and Ken McCauley crashed early with Hunt out with front end damage. Wes Henham’s car caught fire on lap six.


A main (60 laps, 18 started)

1 -- Hershel McGriff, 66 Chevelle
2 -- Gordie Hemrich, 64 Chevelle
3 -- John Rothwell, 66 Comet

McGriff lapped all but the three fastest cars. He left for Kent, WA, for the Hilton 200 which he won.

Saturday, June 13, 1970, Langley Speedway

After a brief break I'm back with some more from Langley Speedway's 1970 season.

Some pre-race info on modifieds.

Saturday, June 13, 1970

20 A modifieds
14 modified stocks
42 early-lates

6000 in attendance.

A modified dash

1 -- Dennis Goldstraw

Modified stock dash

1 -- Dave Angus

Early-late dash

1 -- Lou Ferguson

First early-late heat

1 -- Tom Edwards
2 -- Don Nickel
3 -- Earl Wutke

Second early-late heat

1 -- Bill Dunn
2 -- Doug Blow
3 -- Dave Dixon

Third early-late heat

1 -- Ken Marwood
2 -- Bill Hammond
3 -- Duff Braun

First modified stock heat

1 -- Charlie Brown
2 -- Bert Jones
3 -- Brian Bishop

Second modified stock heat

1 -- Al Tourond
2 -- Dave Angus
3 -- Don Fletcher

First A modified heat

1 -- Bob Warman
2 -- Ted Glawson
3 -- Michael Blackstock

Second A modified heat

1 -- Roy Smith
2 -- Cal Arnold
3 -- Len Barcelo

Bob Stevens involved in a three car wreck in the fast heat. DNS main.

Early-late B main

1 -- Bob Whitfield, 55 Pontiac
2 -- Gerry Wandler
3 -- Gordy Mannes

Early-late A main (18 started, 7 finished, 25 laps)

1 -- Ken Marwood, Surrey, 55 Chev
2 -- Bill Dunn
3 -- Lou Ferguson

Modified stock main

1 -- Al Tourond
2 -- Dave Angus
3 -- Bob Brodoway

A modified main (17 start, 35 laps)

1 -- Roy Smith
2 -- Cal Arnold
3 -- Ross Fontes

Cal Arnold took lead on lap 12, and held it until two laps to go. On lap one Len Barcelo, Don Selley, Dennis Goldstraw and Cal Arnold crashed in turn one. Barcelo was out for the rest of the race.

a two page look back at the original Mission Raceway

Some good shots of Mission from the 1960s and 1970s.

Westwood endurance race, 1988

Working on the theory that 25 years ago is "history". I suppose yesterday is as well.