Event Coverage Pines Speedway Reunion- Groveland, Mass.

Every year the Groveland, Mass. Historical Society puts on a reunion of the Pines Speedway at the location of the long closed track. It's always well attended, and this year even with a cold drizzle there was a great turnout. The event features cars and drivers of the tracks "golden years" (mostly 50's ,60's and early 70's). Two of the featured drivers are Ollie Silva ( the "Big O"- now deceased) and Bentley Warren, who actually worked his way up to driving in the Indy 500. ( and currently runs "Bentley's Saloon" in Arundel, Maine, where lots of car and bike gatherings aren't uncommon).
I remember going there when I was in High School with a gang from Gloucester who ran a car sponsored by Leo's Esso on Western Ave. ( the Strong brothers, Ronnie and Tommy, Dave and Jimmie Eastman, and Ronnie and Kenny Herdman to name a few).
Always a great time, and always stopped at the Agawam Diner in Rowley after for a burger on the way home. Those WERE the good old days!
This is for YOU, Robert Palmer!! Enjoy.

 

Cool

 

I usually make it to this event but this year I worked. Always a great show, and when they fire up the racecars-WOW! Thanx for the post Mike

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Thanks for the pictures Mike. Where the weather was so lousy, I went to the shop and worked on one of my cars. instead.

 

Thanks - glad you enjoyed the pics.
One important fact I neglected to mention- at this event at 12 noon, an announcer calls out over the PA system "Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!!". It really is a moment that'll take you back- close your eyes, listen to all that raw horse power, and it's the 60's again ( for me anyway).Thanks for reminding me, Ronnie.
The last picture in the series is Mr. Steve Newman firing up the fuel injected small block "Big O"
car that was created/ restored to honor Ollie Silva's impressive record from back in the day.
Here's a couple more;

 

BTT

 

Great pics Mike! Seeing Ollie's 34 reminded me of when I first saw it at West Peabody Speedway around 1959.As I recall West Peabody was 1/4 mile around the OUTSIDE edge of the track and Ollie could make it all the way around in a 4 wheel drift! I don't think I ever saw him without those mirrored sunglasses;even at night. We campaigned a B car there for a couple years but didn't do much;probably because I was building the engines for it and about half of them blew up before they'd finish a race.What do expect for a 16 year old anyway? Lots of good memories.

 

Great, Stuff Mike.
Thank-You I will have it hit this one next year!

 

I read someplace that he had a problem with direct, bright light ( bright sun or track lighting at night).
Haven't heard West Peabody's name mentioned in a L-O-N-G time!!

 

Pine Speedway another track that had a very rich racing history.

Jimbo