The Official Ascot Park Gardena Thread: 1957-1969

Long time ago, but almost positive Red Griffin raced with us at Ascot in 63 or 64, pretty sure it was a flathead powered 37 or so coupe, red, and either #117 or just 17. On the fig 8. Will dig out some old programs and see if he is there.

 

As the Guru Tom said, the two you mention are probably Dennis and Jerry Meizenthal, #83 &#183. Fast guys. Also Dick and Milt Semlinger in 1963 or 4, Dick was the Season Points Champ driving for South St Auto parts, Chev coupe #84. Milt later model Chev sedan, #94. Also Otto Hayes and his bro. Otto used an old CJA car for success, his bro was #39, Otto was #41 or 42. Also the Lippen brothers, Jeff and Jim....#44 and #144, white Chev coupes. Also think there were some Stone brothers, Bob & ?

 

Dorsey was good...he could compete with the coupes in a giant orange #58 torsion bar Mopar!

 

Thanks Ron! I found an old program, but no luck - it was a much newer date. I may post the pics anyway. Much appreciate the reply. - Mike

 

Anyone with early Ascot Park Gardena photos of the Figure-8s in 1963 or 1964 are encouraged to post them. Those years I call the "Super-Ultra Glory Days" because the figure-8's were brand new to Ascot Park and the owners/drivers were bringing just about any post-war car to the track and the few photos I have show amazing racing action. I wish I could find Larry Kennedy, who was involved with PR and photos at Ascot in 1963. Someone must have a hidden treasure trove of early Ascot Figure-8 racing. I want to preserve it so everyone can enjoy the great history.

 

I dislike nit pickers (like me!), but 50 would be Frank Thompson, not Ben Steele. Neat post!

 

1963 Oval Track Stocks, 1964 Figure-8 Stocks.

 

January, 1966. Pacific Racing Association stock cars. This is a 35mm slide image from a set available from another person on EBAY.

 

I miss those Sunday night Ascot figure-8s during the summers of 50+ years ago. Those were great times.

 

One of the first places I went when I moved to Cal. in 1980. Sprint car heaven, I feel so lucky to have had the Ascot experience.

 

Some of you folks may have read my Ascot book - Now working on a new book about so cal short track racing; pre the demise of Ascot in 1990. So please send me stories of Ascot, Gardena, Culver City, 605 or wherever. Thanks Dave - [email protected]

 

I just did a google earth… it’s nothing but a parking lot full of auction cars. Nothing has ever been built on it. From the 110 south on the on-ramp to the 405 you can still see the back fence last time I looked.

 

Had a short work detail in Gardena in '63, I think it was. I loved the motor cycle races at the park and the figure 8 races were a lot of fun to watch. The ducks in the duck pond didn't think much of it, though. The really good figure 8 cars were often '56 Fords and Hudsons.

 

I was there for a couple of races in 1984 and 1986. IIRC, the Sunday night show was stock cars on the 1/4 mile, Thursday was sprints on the 1/2.

We walked up the wide steps on the Sunday show... they were covered with puddles of puke. In the stands, people were passing around quart booze bottles. There were a few bars doing a brisk business around the 1st and 2nd turn.

One loaded fan was giving me some crap about the Flemington shirt I had on. Definitely a different crowd from Thursday night.

 

Great picture of Rip Erikson. Did he build supermodifieds [ spor tmans ] in the 60's???

 

I briefly scanned these threads but didn't see Parnelli Jones mentioned. If someone did, I apologize, I lived in Belmont Shore & tried to make the bike races. Brain is out to lunch so cannot remember any of the racers names. I rode a 48 harley ,had a 55 vette & lived 2 blocks from the beach,24 years old, just out of the service in 56 & single. Livin the good life, or so I thought.