great lakes drag way union grove wi. pics

Jeff....Thanks very much for these! Just amazing......Centurion9

 

Talked to Ron Sickinger , asked him about the Flying Dutchman.

Early to mid 60s he used go racing with John Ohde, Dick Van De Hey and Tom Terp, and
knew these guys pretty well.
They all lived in the Manitowoc area and called themselves the ( Speed Specialists ).

He did not know where the Dutchman is but he gave me some pictures to share from
1964,
(The Speed Specialists)

The white 63 Chevy was Tom Terps

The 57 Chevy was Ron Sickingers

The 64 Plymouth was John Ohdes wedge later changed to Hemi power called (Blue Blood)

The Dark Blue 63 Chevy was Dick Van De Heys

This picture is from 1964 so most of the Trophys came from the Union Grove, W.I.R.
didnt open untill 1965.

This is Rons 57 Chevy

301 4 speed with 2x4s and 5.13 gears shifted @ 6500-7000 ran low 13s and dipped into the 12s a few times.
The kid is Jimmy Web.

Rons tow rig, a 1964 Chevelle 327 4 speed.
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its nice to see some new life in this tread. lets keep it going.

 

Now this a trophy!!!

 

Ron also had other picks,

Pic. #1 was Rons brand new 62 Chevy 409 4 speed, he said the 57 was faster.
The guys that bought it later ran it as the M&M Speed Shop drag car. Now being restored
by Mark Jens Manitowoc. ( anyone have pics. Gold M&M on doors )

Pic # 2 was John Ohdes brand new Wedge 64 Plymouth, Later evolved into a 426 Hemi
street /strip car called Blue Blood. Found out this car was scrapped a only few years ago,

Pic #3 was the 57 and Blue Blood parked on Washington st. Manitowoc 1964.

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Ron did not remember what track this is but this pic. from 1964 means this must be a Mystery Motor.

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Harlan Clark from Manitowoc ran this 67 Chevelle called the (Clipper City Chevrolet)
(must have ran at the Grove also) If anyone has any old pictures, Id love to see them.
Its Red Now (avatar)
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"The guys that bought it later ran it as the M&M Speed Shop drag car. Now being restored
by Mark Jens Manitowoc. ( anyone have pics. Gold M&M on doors )"....

.Hi Norb...As I recall, the M&M car was nearly always at a gas station on the corner of 35th and Oklahoma in Milwaukee. The car itself was Brown. Sad to say, I had a pile of pics of it because I lived in the area, but they are long gone. If this is the same car, I'm happy to hear its being restored. I was going to ask about it in another Thread I started about Milwaukee cars......Centurion9

 

Here is a few more some from Manitowoc

 

The Filthy Forty when Cully and Hutch owned it F

 

I believe John Ohde drove the Sayonara that Tom Terp owned

 

That has to be a different car, this one is dark Blue with light Blue interior.

Did the Brown one have Gold lettered M&M on the doors?

Two guys had a M&M speed shop in Manitowoc for a short time, the owner was Kenny Mushack

 

Cool pictures Hallrods. Thanks

All most forgot about the car shows in the (New Mall)

Do you remember who owned the Eradicator ? or the yellow T?

I see Hutch on Thursdays at Sputz in Clarks Mills once in a while, got to
ask him about the Willys.

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I don't remember who owned the Eradicator but Hutch will remember the guy who owned the yellow T. The guy was rattling Hutches cage all day at the grove wanting to race for pink slips. Hutch finally agreed and the guy blew his motor during the race. Hutch told him to keep the peice of shit!

 

Thanks Norb....No...the Chevelle I'm thinking of was probably a later model. It was Brown with two cartoon M&Ms on the Door and the M&M Lettering.......

 

Found a better picture of the Chevolution Boys car

 

1950 mercury in the far lane from the late 50's or early 60's


Same car 50+ years later looking as good as it did in the day

 

October 7, 1956, Great Lakes Dragaway opening day, that awesome Cadillac powered Mercury was the fastest car.

 

just short of 60 years later, still awesome. Current owners Larry and son are to be congratulated and proud of saving this historic car. Thanks to both. Curt R

 

the Caddy

 

that's so cool

 

Big Nick and Skinnydennis - Great to see a pic of TC. When I lived in the Chicago area in the late 70s & early 80s, I had a real nice Norton Commando. I wanted more power as those Hondas were becoming pesky. Remembering I had seen TC and his twin-engined top fuel bike at Union Grove, I yanked out my stock 750 and hauled it up to him. He bored it, new pistons, head work, etc. Now I could hang with those VRs longer. IIRC, his shop was on the "garden" level. For me, he was the Wisconsin version of the "Michigan Madman".

I didn't spend much time at Union Grove (I was caught up in racing at Blackhawk Farms), but love this thread. There's a lot of familiar stuff here.

vic

 

kinda a long shot, probably wasnt a drag car, but does anyone remember a star wars themed T from the early 80's. Prior to the starwars paint, it was a super cool old hot rod, wonder if its still around???

 

Found these two pictures on Pintrest of Le Roy Roeders Gremlin from what appears to be Great Lakes Drag-way. He seems to have a sponsorship from a Bruce Wesley Speed Shop of which I've never heard of.

 

any pics of the Ronnie soxes cuda that le roy bought. its now in florida being restored.

 

I am looking for more pictures and info on this yellow t bucket If anyone has any more pictures let me know. thanks Jeff

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