Borrowing a page from Jim Wilmore's 'whats in a picture' series.....here's one from from Wilmington, NC's 'Carolina Beach Speedway' in 1964.
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Borrowing a page from Jim Wilmore's 'whats in a picture' series.....here's one from from Wilmington, NC's 'Carolina Beach Speedway' in 1964.
Studebaker & '57 Chevy rounding the corner side-by-side pursued by the coupes. Dawning of the shift to late models?
I've got one something like this - mid 1960's - back stretch of Dayton Speedway. There's 40's Coupes and 57 Chevys. This was the time promoters allowed for mixed fields in order to have a decent car count. This inter-mixing didn't last too many years - only a couple. Most of the Coupes slowly went away and more modern Late models came in their place. Steve
What I do see is Bennett Allen racing for FUN, leading the jalopy race on a Sunday afternoon in his RED studebaker #4, and probably having a blast doing so...What I do not see is BIG MONEY and all that stuff that goes with it. Car racing at it's purest form and I had no idea just what I was witnessing at that time but it was entertaining!
I've been to several dirt tracks that have asked all the cars to come out after the watering down or dragging and help "run" the track in. I have several photo's that show several different classes together and even a few with the cars running slowly the wrong direction..
William, I did not know that Bennett Allen was driving the #4, thanks for the up-date. You are so right about the big money!
And I have also been to a GN race on the dirt at Richmond and a Grand American race on the dirt at Raleigh where the FANS were asked to help run-in the tracks because they were mud holes from rain.
Can you remember when the last coupe ran the road course at Daytona? Remember who it was ?? There is a neat story that goes along with the car being brought to Daytona and getting it through tech inspection
Bobby, if anybody ever doubted your description of seeing Carolina Beach Speedway for the first time as a ten year old in 1964, your photo sure puts your money where your mouth is!
They only had one rule, and that was "run what you brung". There were late models, jalopies, some with flathead Ford engines, modifieds, and one '56 Pontiac with the full bench seat still intact. They had just removed the "back" from the passenger's side. There was even a Hudson Hornet sponsored by the "Ball Park Inn, Havelock, NC".
Excerpt from Bobby Williamson post at Ghosts of Southern Dirt Tracks Past
Jack Duffy - 1974
http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/forum/topics/jack-duffy-the-last-...
Dave,be careful--those out there that doubt the Bopper will have the Reverend Stagger to parlay with next. just saying
Those two are like Superman & Clark Kent.... never around at the same time!
which one was Boss Hog in?
man You got good eyes. I got dust in my eyes from that 55 Buick
Dang what a mix.....I see everything from what looks like a 36' Ford, to a 52-54 Ford, to a 55 Buick, 55 Ford, 56 Stude and a 56 Chevy for good measure! No wait....I think I even see a 49 Olds too!