great lakes drag way union grove wi. pics

Mark

In 1956 you were in a really safe, warm area. We were trying to get into similar warm areas but, from the outside.

Here is a picture of GLD opening day, 1956. The track surface was heavily oiled, hard packed, sealed something. By 1957 the track had an asphalt surface.

Curt R

I'll trade you birth years

 

Thanks racer-x for the picture!!!!!!!!!!!

This was Memorial Day weekend 1966, First time out at the track with the Fiat and running a 409. This was the day it ran the SWC Willys in a test and tune race. The Fiat lost.

 

Here is another great thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412136&highlight=great+lakes+dragaway

 

Some misc. early shots from different sites.

 

Taken in 1972, I'm the short guy!

 

In the 80's I spent way, way to much time at "THE GROVE!" These were some of the cars I helped out on which raced there almost weekly.

 

Is it true, or legend that some of the buildings were from the Riverview Park in Chicago or was that Byron or just some BS?

The current owners are just Randy Henning and Marcel? Ray was there, is he related to Marcel?

 

Whoa, Um, i think thats a pic of my dad in the 3rd post as a kid. I'm trying to get a hold of him to confirm.

Any idea what year "group 2" is from?

 

In the green B-10 jacket with the FED?

 

in the red jacket(furthest one to the right) by the wierd winged hemi dragster.He would have been 15 in '60 so its about the right age and he's always loved hemis so maybe.

 

low punk the pics posted by funny car for me are from 65 and 66 to the best of my knowledge. i was at the world of wheels in milwaukee with my 65 dodge and a guy walked up and handed me a bag with all those photos in 35mm slide form. said he was there the day before saw my car and thought i would like them. i never saw him again.

 

Awesome thanks a lot!

 

Did you say a bag full of slides? I hope that means you have a hole lot more to post, right?!

 

group 9

 

This Dick Harrell altered base Nova is friggin' cool. I don't remember seeing a picture of this car before. These pics rock, keep them coming

 

Very cool! Thanks for posting!

 

Theres a thread on yellowbullet that the bank is foreclosing, and the locals once again want the track gone. We race there, so I hope its more internet BS.

 

Great pics! Gives me even more appreciation for being able to run at GLD in the Heads Up.

And yep, I thought the same thing... that one photo sure looks like a young Don Prudhomme, being pushed by the Dodge station wagon. And sure enough, it is.

Same rail in this '66 photo from Hot Rod, from a quick Google search:

 

Yes, the first event held in '56 was on dirt!

 

Couple more from last year.

 

I sure do appreciate all you guys posting up the photos from EARLY days!

I was hoping Curt R. would put up some of his great collection.

 

big nick 59 that orange 31 chrysler coupe with the blown hemi and eight carbs is mine. and the orange crate dragster in the backround is the front engine nitro car i crew on. we may be booked in for memorial day. if it works out stop by and introduce yourself. just ask for brian cool pics

 

Here's a few more for the early Bennett years collection...

 

another group

 

I live about an hour from there. I remember as a kid going there at least 6 to 10 time during the summer and watch my Mom race our 65 Chevy impala 4door. Best run was a 14.01 @ 100 MPH. She said I'm not a man until I beat it. I had a 62 Ford Galaxie 500 with a 390 & C6 trans with shift kit in high school that may have done it but I never stepped up to the plate. Wouldn't have mattered, I'll always be a boy to Mom. Great memories. Thanks Bob.

 

Yeah Curt, share your stash dude !

 

Thank you Domiracer 66 for sharing your fabulous photos.

dig that old Buick ambulance!!!

30Dodgeboy needs that

 

RACER-X I sure will swing in and say HI! I usually pinstripe at the "Heads up" and I'm sure I'll be with TC again on Memorial day.

I got to drool over your car when it was in Shepperds shop getting the pin-up art done. It has to be one of the coolest coupes I have EVER seen, and I've seen a few. Looking forward to meeting you in person Brian.

 

john is one talented guy isn't he. john also applied all the gold leaf on the 65 dodge in the avatar. next time you see him ask him about starting the dodge at his old shop and then doing burnouts in the street. freaked him out. the whole area heard it for blocks around. if you have any shots of the orange crate let me know. look forward to seeing you at DA GROVE

 

Amazing photos! Thanks so much. They are putting evil thoughts into my head for the Heads Up Tshirts!!