I was told that "Roaring Roadsters, Road to Indy" by Dick Wallen was good too... at $75 I wasn't sure how much of the coverage was on roadsters... I'd appreciate feedback
One more shout out to Don Radbruch's Roaring Roadsters #1 and #2. What I really like is that both books give a state by state story of the roaring roadsters, so depending on where you live, you can really drill down on some local cars. But even better......you get a great idea of local builders and drivers in your state and city.......and best of all ........you get a great history of local race tracks long abandoned.......some right in your back yard.....literally.
I have the book, all track roadsters with a few sprinters here & there. Great pics...tons of 'em,you won't be disappointed!
Quite a video find ! Jack McGrath and Manuel Ayulo in the front row, pretty standard stuff for the time. They came up here in 47, they kicked ass ! Thanks Gary.
Yessssss, love that video-Hugh Nutting from Montana sent it to me this morning-awesome stuff. I just wish there was a way to embed it...Oh well!
Guys, I got the link from the Racing History site earlier. Sure wish there were more like this. Anyone got a WAG on where that track was located in SOCAL? Gary
WAG? I'll take a WAG...Bonelli Stadium/Saugus perhaps?!?!? The mature trees behind the frontstretch and the hills beyond turn four are my only clue...I remember extensive mature trees in the pits at Saugus in 1995 that butted up against the hills. Again, just a WAG.
There's a photo of the No. 8 car in the Dick Wallen Roaring Roadsters book, circa 1947. Says the driver is Bill Steves. So if it's 1947, early 1947, it might be San Diego as Steves won a couple races there in the Duarte No. 8. Here's the CRA top ten from 1947: Driver: Troy Ruttman Jack McGrath Manuel Ayulo Andy Linden Pat Flaherty Bill Steves Jack Bayliss Wayne Tipton Jim Rathmann Slim Mathis Car Owner: Del Baxter, no. 20 Jack McGrath, no. 1 Manuel Ayulo, no. 44 Howard Johansen, no. 5 Vince Duarte, no. 8 Bill Barnes, no. 66 Wayne Tipton, no. 25 Jim Rathmann, no. 16 Connie Wiedell, no 9 Phil Weiand, no 4 Both Rathmann and Wiedell have the silent film cards held up before them when they are on screen. Lots of roadster races in southern California in 1947. And lots of registered entries.
One of the shot ID cards said San Diego, Sam Bass. I was thinking the track might be around there. Where's Lowe when we need him! Gary
In the same vein, a roadster race at Sultan, WA, in 1948. Art Waller, now a member of Golden Wheels, is being interviewed. Part of the Smoke, Sand and Rubber DVD. <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/11404575?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe>No Race Track There from greg brotherton on Vimeo.
Some other clips of track roadsters in various chapters. The DVD is mainly focused on midget racer Mel Anthony and his return to racing with Golden Wheels at age 86. Here's one of the other roadster clips that's available online. <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24426000?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="225"></iframe>Allen Heath and Len Sutton - Some of the Best from greg brotherton on Vimeo.
For anyone who might be interested I have both of the Roaring Roadsters books for sale on Amazon. They were given to me by my crew chief and premier roadster builder Jim Moore after his passing from cancer. I figured he wanted me to have them to help finance my salt addiction in the Avanti so I am selling them and some other racing books and the money goes in the Bonneville kitty. I would love it if the books went to someone who could really appreciate them as I know Jim did. PM me if you would like them and I will pull them off Amazon. Dan
Anyone have a photo or info of Slim Mathis, who died in a big-car race at Carroll Speedway in Gardenia, CA in 1948?