Archaeological Find - 1953 Peace Haven Speedway Race Poster

This was found still tacked to the side of a barn in a stack of about ten other posters. Over the years, a new poster for the next race was stapled right on top of the old one. Then, the barn owner built a new section to the barnover the wall with the posters. They stayed thereon that same wall, that justmaybe, Alvin Hawkins...or Big Bill Francehimselfnailed them to...protected inside thatold barnfor over 50 years!

These old race posters are a lot larger in real life than I imagined. This one is 28" x 41".

Unfortunately, I wasn't the one to find them but withthe help of my friend Wayne I was able to track this one down. Gotta find the others!

Very Cool! And a great date in history. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks, Devin! Is your birthday Sept. 20?

Why yes, of course! Not telling the year, though! lol

Wow! What a find.

Indeed, a great date!

Thanks, Dave.

Great find, Robert!!

That's cool! Great story, and it looks like it's not that worn either!

Thanks, Bobby.

Thanks, Cody. It's got a nice patina to it, a few rust stained nail holes and lots of staple holes. Thatand the story to the find really adds to it's character. I love it.

Thanks, N.B. It's got a great home now.

Old racing posters are really cool, I have a few that I wouldn't trade for nothin'

Jim, have you posted photos of your posters yet? I'd really love to see them.

Robert, I immediately thought of you a few moments ago.

I found a couple of old issues of Stock Car Racing magazine from 1968 & 1969 in a box in the attic. The June 1969 issue has an absolutely delightful, multi-page spread with photos of Perk Brown (John B. Thomasson) by Bill Weekes.

The lengthy article is titled: Visored, Venerable, Veteran: PERK BROWN From the garden spot of Eden, North Carolina, has come an easy going, expert, veteran of 21 racing seasons with one of the winningest records in Modified history -

On page 34 of this great piece, the following is recounted:

Perk recalled a weekend at Peace Haven that proved anything but peaceful. When his own car broke down, a stranger asked Perk if he'd care to drive the stranger's '36 coupe. Perk agreed. In the qualifying race, L. J. Powell's car lost a battery, stalling in Perk's path. Perk smacked it and then flipped several times.

"The impact threw the engine clean out of the car," related Perk. "I crawled out of the thing, and, man, I see it's totaled. After the race, I go see this guy, and while we're talking, his wife and four kids come up, and she really lays it on him. Here, I find I've been driving this guy's family car, and now he and his family have no way of getting home. I just took the $15 prize money and handed it over to him and told him to take it all."

Forgive me if you've read this Peace Haven story previously.

Dave, that's awesome! No, I've never heard this story, and thank you so much for posting this. Saved to files. It's RR members like you that make this place so great.

Perk was a great driver. I believe he is in that Peace Haven movie footage driving a white #0 Jr Ford Coupe. There's a photo here on RR of him standing next to it.

Two of my prized possessions -

Hey, Robert! Man, you weren't kidding about those posters. All I can say is: wow. Those are amazing!

Talk to you soon!

-Wade

Hi Wade! I'm glad to see you here, and that you finally got to see the posters. Anytime you would like to see them in person, just let me know. My friend Jerry was kind enough to give me the Easter Monday poster for which I will forever be greatful.

FYI to the RR members - Wade's Grandfather, Wade Beauchamp Sr. built and ran Peace Haven Speedway from 1939 to 1957. Quite an accomplishment for a family man, full time R.J. Reynolds employee,motorcycle club president, and WWII veteran.

Thanks for the kind words about Wade Sr., Robert. I really appreciate that and I know my dad will, too. Big shoes, big shoes...

I'll give you a holler soon so I can drool over those posters in person!