Art & Inspiration Quarter Midgets from the 50's & 60's

I raced with a kid that had one of those cars. it was a big deal when he showed up with it. His name was Ronnie Underwood. His home track was Duarte. His was kind of a bronze/copper color.

 

My dad always gets a laugh when tells the story of the first time we showed up at Payne Field in Washington with the car.
It was the car's first time there, we kept it under a tarp for as long as we could because of the wing.
The old man made me get in the car under the tarp and belt in.
At the last second a friend pulled the tarp off and dad gave me a push and out on the track I went.
Apparently there were screams of "protest" from all over the pits with everyone waving rule books in the air!
We beat the track record in stock by almost a second with that old car.

 

I ran with Ronnie Underwood many times. He had a Viking then a Viking Roadster, the on pictured in on of my posts and finaley the Aluminum sidewinder. My dad thought about getting one but from what I remember the buildre would only build them two at a time so you had to find some else to by one at the same time. I don't know how he did it but no matter how low I ran Ronnie always got underneth me for the pass.

 

Sure brings back many wonderful memories looking at the photo's of all the great Quarter Midgets.

The history and stories behind each one make them very special.

Thanks to everyone who posted photo's. Jimbo

 

I don't remember how much, but if I recall, they were real expensive compared to the rest of the cars too.

 

A hand build Bromme car was around 2 grand when most any other 1/4 midget was around $500.

 

I was told by a reliable source that Speedy Bill paid $14,000 for the car in the museum.

 

That sounds about right. I remember Ronnie's was fast. I drove a sidewinder for awhile and it drove a lot different than a rear engine car, at least the one I drove was.

 

I never drove a sidewinder. I was done at the end of '59, and sidewinders were still a ways off then. Always wondered how they compared to a rear engine car. Weight distribution has to be a lot closer to 50/50.

 

When we first got our car going it wouldn't turn, just washed out and headed for the wall.
It took the old man quite a while to get the car to turn, not before I stuffed it into the wall a few times.
We ended up with a large rear tire on the outside front, and dad dialing all the weight to the inside front.
Didn't have to lift after that, full throttle all the way around.
I also remember my right ass cheek getting hot on a longer race.

 

A full throttle lap is beautiful experience. Diving into a turn, your foot wants to lift, but your brain forces it to stay planted. With the mid 50's technology of my time I was only able to do it at two tracks, Las Vegas and Cornell Corners. Tried it a few times at San Fernando, but there the result was a spin. Just not quite enough banking.

 

I raced in the 70's at The Little T Speedway right next to Thompson Speedway in Connecticut. Best times of my life! Very family oriented.

 

Has any one got some photo's of Trojan Speedway SoCal it was off of the Long Beach fwy 710 .

 

The one I drove belonged to someone else. There was a guy who had two sons that got tired of racing, but he didn't want to call it quits just yet. I was having a hard time keeping up with the Race Craft, so he offered to let me drive one of his cars, one of which was a sidewinder. He told me it was hard to drive and neither one of his sons really got the handle on it. It was the complete opposite of what you describe. I had to fight it going down the straight, but it would cut in the corner like crazy. Once I got used to it, I loved it.

The only place I remember being able to Full Throttle at was a track in Lancaster, Ca. They had a 500 up there one year and I got away with it there and no where else.

 

I am right here now, just joined today. Trying to figure out who you are.

 

WOW! Small world I remembered your name when someone here asked about you. I know we crossed paths but I couldn't tell you where or which track.

 

I came across this water slide in my old stuff today. Anyone remember the Indianapolis Quarter Midget Association?

 

I bit out of my area, but man, what a cool decal!

 

Dean:Being from the Valley I to remember those tracks and I always thought I had a memory like an Elephant, but you blow me away!
I only raced at the Hacienda "Vegas" the very 1st year and it was a temp course in the south parking lot of the Hotel/Casino "more like a Motor Lodge". I don't remember the year but I am sure you would!
As far as Cornell Corners goes, I remember racing there first when it was dirt which did not last long as new track was built when they made a multi purpose facility with a go kart track and a quarter midget track.I never raced there when it was a paved track but remember the AA's flying around that place "Scary Fast". I remember the restaurant there was called Whizin's as we would have breakfast there, it was kinda a Old West theme"
Thanks for the Memories!
Danny Ruth
Pacemaker #1

 

Danny, I have to confess, I cheat. My Mom kept a pretty well detailed scrap book for me and my brother. If my memory fails, I can usually find answer in the scrap book.

 

I was hoping you would post the picture of the Black 99 Pacemaker so I could confirm it was my brothers.
Thanks
Danny Ruth
Pacemaker #1

 

I have been going to the Fathers Day LA Roadsters Show the last 5 years with Dad and I know you go also, I saw your truck last year and went back a few times trying to meet you with no success.We go on Thursday night and do the Swap in the motorhome and stay the weekend and always have a Great Time. Could you PM me your cell so we could meet up this year?
Pics of Swap line at 5 am Friday,Dad in HRL at So-Cal Party,Dad at LARS Sunday.
Danny

 

was this track along whittier blvd, west side between washington blvd & , well let's say penn st? or thereabouts? i recall my dad taking us boys out to see some 1/4's race. i would have been 7 in 1958.

 

i'm right here! i'm waving my hand! ok, i'll PM you then. your not going to remember me, but maybe my older sister michelle bohne, she was more your age. but I used to love watching your pop work on your cars while sitting on my sting-ray!

 

SRT
The Whittier 1/4 midget track was about at the intersection of the 605 and 60 freeways. The roads have all changed. It was between the rail road tracks and the river.

 

I recently bought these 2 quarter midgets, can anyone tell what brand they might be?

 

Can't identify the cars. Anything with a cage is way too new for me. Nice score on all those engines.

 

I did want something older but, for the price a 7 engines, I couldn't pass it up. Maybe when I get the apart, there will be some identification.

 

They are 75-77 Goddards, great score.
Here's a crappy pic of my one one, the air scopp and wing were built buy my dad.

 

No wonder I didn't recognize them. 20 years past my time!