Lethal Weapon

The eight deaths this past weekend reminds me of one of most one of the most "Lethal Weapons" of Stock Car Racing in the late 40s and early 50s.

The left rear wheel, hub and axle.

Before the days of 3/4 ton spindles, hubs and axles we would break apart the rear endof Fordsand lock it by welding itl. The only thing holding the wheel on was that skinny little axle. When the axle broke the wheel and axle would come off.(usually on the 3rd turn, right before the Grandstands). Back then most small dirt tracks had very little between the Tracks and Grandstands. You can use your imagination.

updated by @jim-streeter: 12/05/16 04:07:53PM

Had one happen like that in Cochran Georgia either last year or the year before. Axle broke and wheel axle and all flew out of the track and hit a woman sitting with her family between the 1st and 2nd turns. Killed her instantly.The class that they were running allowed only stock rear end and wheels.All classes at every race track should have a rule that all cars should have safety hubs no matter what class.

That was the reason for my post on Vintage Racing. Tommie Clinard said:

Had one happen like that in Cochran Georgia either last year or the year before. Axle broke and wheel axle and all flew out of the track and hit a woman sitting with her family between the 1st and 2nd turns. Killed her instantly.
The class that they were running allowed only stock rear end and wheels.
All classes at every race track should have a rule that all cars should have safety hubs no matter what class.

That must've been one out of control piece when it broke.

It ran off the car and starting bouncing into the air. Cleared the fence and came down on her hitting her in the chest and face as she sat in her lawn chair right beside her husband. She never knew what hit her.They were probably 15-20 feet back from the fence.

Jim, did the 3/4 ton rear ends cure that or did they still break, just not as often?

Yes, but more important they made great right front spindles. Much stronger! Theese rear ends became much harder to find. Later they were manufactured and could be bought from Honest Charlies' Speed Shop.