History Vintage "Cageless" Midget Picture Thread

[DocF]

Originally Posted by the shadow

I was watching the chilli bowl yesterday on TV and after seeing those guys flying around I started to wonder how quick they were going (MPH) & how much HP they make? then I wondered how much HP and speed could they get out of a v8-60 back in the hey day of midgets, obviously the speed would vary on different lenght tracks?
Paul

A really good v8-60 might make about 120 hp. A really good Offy might make 145 hp (more for some of the great builders). I know (I've seen the dyno sheet) that Don Schilling's Pontiac dynoed out at 375+ hp! Don was spending Connie Kaleta's money so he had nothing but the best.

Doc

[Rex Schimmer]

These are pictures of a 30s midget with a Drake conversion for a twin Harley engine. Richard Denables in Orange has built this one and several more. Very cool car and engine.

Rex

[indybigjohn]

Originally Posted by DocF

A really good v8-60 might make about 120 hp. A really good Offy might make 145 hp (more for some of the great builders). I know (I've seen the dyno sheet) that Don Schilling's Pontiac dynoed out at 375+ hp! Don was spending Connie Kaleta's money so he had nothing but the best.

Doc

First midget race after I went to work at IRP, Don was the fast qualifier. I think that a little later, he was largely responsible for Doug Kalitta's success in midgets and sprint cars.

[Rootie Kazoootie]

Originally Posted by the shadow

I was watching the chilli bowl yesterday on TV and after seeing those guys flying around I started to wonder how quick they were going (MPH) & how much HP they make? then I wondered how much HP and speed could they get out of a v8-60 back in the hey day of midgets, obviously the speed would vary on different lenght tracks?
Paul

Back about 10 yrs. ago, USAC had SC/sprint/midget shows at PPIR, a banked 1 mile paved track here in Co. At the time, the midgets were cutting laps in the high 130mph range. After the tires burned off a little, those little 72" wb cars got a little "twitchy" to say the least.

[Jim Nise]

Rootie, didn't Mel Kenyon have the lap record at Trenton when it was turned into the 1.5 mile lima bean at 138mph?

[DocF]

Originally Posted by indybigjohn

First midget race after I went to work at IRP, Don was the fast qualifier. I think that a little later, he was largely responsible for Doug Kalitta's success in midgets and sprint cars.

Well there is a story there.
Don was the VP of maintenance for Kalitta Air. Doug was flying for Uncle Connie and Don discovered the Doug is one of the world's greatest welders, so he commandeered him every time he had a very tricky job to do. Doug decided he wanted to go oval racing and he and Don put together an asphalt Beast for Doug (they built it so it could run dirt too, but it was an asphalt car). He was fast and brave and started to win right off the bat.

Don put together an asphalt sprinter that was very quick, but he did not ever feel comfortable in it. He hired Doug to drive it and they ran away with the championship in the one year it ran.

Doug is one of the best pilots in the world. Don is no slouch in an airplane either (neither is his wife, Margie - she is as good as they get).

Anyway, this was a potent team and fun to watch for the few years they ran.

Doc

[Rootie Kazoootie]

Originally Posted by Jim Nise

Rootie, didn't Mel Kenyon have the lap record at Trenton when it was turned into the 1.5 mile lima bean at 138mph?

Could be, Jim I really don't know. The latest I have is the USAC record from 1969, which was still held by Jmmie Davies set in 61 at 102mph. Of course that was in a little ol 110 Offy. No doubt the record got bumped up a bunch over the tracks remaining years.

[baldtireman]

I have access to an aluminum 215 cu. in. Buick from the early 1960's... Any interest out there?

[Flubyu]

Just a quick photos of a nailhead powered car!!!!!

[aXe33]

Bob Dejong in a Bob Rosen car looks to be indoors at Oakland? photo above

Originally Posted by Flubyu

Just a quick photos of a nailhead powered car!!!!!

[Rootie Kazoootie]

DeJongs "baby nailhead" circa 1962.

[indybigjohn]

Thanks for the full explanation on the Kalitta oval race team, DocF. Don became a good friend, as did Doug while he was running the midgets and sprinters. One night he came from behind the inverted fastest six cars to win the midget feature in one of those Thursday night ESPN shows. When I interviewed him about it on the PA later, he said, "I guess I'm just not a good qualifier."

[Rootie Kazoootie]

Speaking of oddball V-8 midgets: About the same time, 61/62, Mickey Thompson put this rig together and put Herk in the seat for the Ascot winter races. No idea how he got a 326 (I assume) pumpjack down to midget size, but it doesn't appear to have a full compliment of plug wires on the right bank, hmmm

[THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER]

Originally Posted by Rootie Kazoootie

Speaking of oddball V-8 midgets: About the same time, 61/62, Mickey Thompson put this rig together and put Herk in the seat for the Ascot winter races. No idea how he got a 326 (I assume) pumpjack down to midget size, but it doesn't appear to have a full compliment of plug wires on the right bank, hmmm

In spite of what the caption says it looks lmore like one of those slant fours derived from the Tempest V8. The breathers on the drivers side sit lower like they may be mounted on a valley tray and the injectors do not appear to hav an equal and opposing banl on the other side

[Rootie Kazoootie]

Originally Posted by THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

In spite of what the caption says it looks lmore like one of those slant fours derived from the Tempest V8. The breathers on the drivers side sit lower like they may be mounted on a valley tray and the injectors do not appear to hav an equal and opposing banl on the other side

No, it was a V-8 here's a shot of the left side showing the valve cover and headers.

[LittleFauss]

.....'First of all, Rootie! It is SO good to see you back on the HAMB! 'Believe me, you were very conspicuous by your absence on here. 'Hope everything's goin' good. And a special salute to you and all of our other Viet Nam veterans.

Yeah, the Frenchtown Flyer is probably referring to that BIG 4-banger Tempest that some of the midget guys ran back in the late 60's and early 70's. Popular southern California driver, Duane Sears ran one for the Lynch family in USRC competition. USRC was one of the first midget organizations to allow a 200 CID limit for their engines. For some reason, no one seemed to be able to make the little 215 CID all-aluminum Olds and Buick V8 engines successful in the midgets???

[Flubyu]

Originally Posted by Rootie Kazoootie

DeJongs "baby nailhead" circa 1962.

Dejong in the Bob Rosen car checking the ride hight

[THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER]

OK, You've convinced me - V8 it is.

[Jim Nise]

Now that Rootie is back, where is OldBill?

[Frye jr]

Little Fauss
There were a couple of very fast Buick's that ran around the midwest back in the late 60's and early 70's. Vergil Welch ran very well with IMCA and outlaw with the late Bud Hoppe. Another one was Frank Faul from Columbia Mo with SLARA in the 70's. If I remember they were known to run very HOT