Forum Activity for @jim-streeter

Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
04/19/10 11:37:19PM
242 posts

Ghost Track Update: Raleigh Speedway
General

You are correct. Southland Speedway.The track opened in 1952 as Southland Speedway. Its first major event was a 200-mile (320 km) AAA sanctioned IndyCar race held on July 4, 1952. That race was won by Troy Ruttman in an Offy powered Kuzma. From 1953 the track was known as Raleigh Speedway. NASCAR races were held at the track from 1953 to 1958. On the 1/4-mile (0.4 km) infield track there were weekly Modified an Sportsman races on Fridays. Occasionally, the Sportsman and Modified's ran on the one-mile (1.6 km) track. The Grand National series ran 100, 250, and 300-mile (480 km) races yearly (twice in 1955). The final three Grand National races were held on July 4, 1956, 1957, and 1958. When the Daytona International Speedway opened, the July 4 Grand National event moved to that track. Shortly thereafter, the Raleigh Speedway closed due to noise complaints from residents of nearby neighborhoods. The track was demolished in 1967. Most of the track site is now The Seaboard Industrial Park with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (CSX) siding occupying the former location of the front straight. About 90' of the backstretch remain in the woods near a Progress Energy substation
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
04/18/10 01:09:28PM
242 posts

Ghost Track Update: Raleigh Speedway
General

I was thowing out some old newspapers when I ran across this.
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
04/09/10 06:59:27PM
242 posts

Ghost Track Update: Raleigh Speedway
General

I'm sure it was Chesnut. Joe Epton Nascar's scorer was deeply envolved also.
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
04/09/10 03:00:22PM
242 posts

Ghost Track Update: Raleigh Speedway
General

I lived in Raliegh when this track was built. In fact I got my first (1947)flight duel instruction at the grass strip that later became the race track. Little known fact:the track was first planned as a 3/4 mile, but Big Bill came in town and insisted that it be built as a 1 mile. James Chesnut one of the Principals in the venture ( a lawyer not an engineer) had them exstend the straights and not change the curves to save money. It was worse than Martinsville as far as trying get the correct gear. You would either lug off the turn or wind out before the end of straight.Big Bill came back in town and made them build a 1/4 mile identical tp Bowman Gray using part of the straight. We ran there every Friday night.
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
03/09/10 01:35:24PM
242 posts

NASCAR driver dispute resolution concept
General

Mark Martin 140# vs M Waltrope 240#Not fair!Dueling Pistols ? Pete Banchoff said:
I really like that idea, David. I feel though they would have to fight while the emotions are high and the owners and handlers haven't talked them down. Maybe the drivers would think twice about intentionally wrecking someone if they had to fight with their fists instead of hiding behind a 3500 lb. race car. I vote YES!!

Pete
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
02/25/10 02:09:18PM
242 posts

I listened to myself on Racers ReunionRadio last night.
General

Jim Seay has jogled my memory.I've thougt of a few more incedents. johnny mallonee said:
Hey Jim how does an old senile man supposed to sound? You may have have struck on something there sir.

You, being the host that you are on the radio, are a barrel full of information from back in the day,yes it was a while ago but you and I know a happy mind is a busy mind. Now happily you can tell your stories and your history to millions,not just two or three,with the unique "Gilder radio Station" ---You know that has a loud and proud sound to it!!!
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
02/24/10 03:55:13PM
242 posts

I listened to myself on Racers ReunionRadio last night.
General

I sounded like a senile old man.

But Wait ! I am a senile old man. LOL


updated by @jim-streeter: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
02/19/10 01:31:21PM
242 posts

Question about the Beach course
Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I attended the Modified /Sportsman Race in 1950. The backstretch (paved ) was straight, with grains of sand blown across it. About 125 cars started the race. Some had hydrolic some mechanical brakes. When they started to slow down for the 3rd turn it was bedlam. About a 50 car wreck. The race was started as the tide was going out and had to stop it when it came in. It was one of my best experiences in racing.
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
02/20/10 12:02:48AM
242 posts

Modified pictures everywhere...
General

Modifieds = Late 40s early 50 had quick change rear ends (mostly Halibrands). Aluminin Heads( mostly Offenhauser) Some Arden overhead cam conversions. Any type fuel.Sportsman no quickchange . Any size engine bored & stroked. Stock heads we used 41 T Denver heads Windser (Canadian) Blocks Thicker walls.Limited Sportsman under 300 CI.All above were Flatheads1955 Glenn Wood , Ralph Ligorri and Myself put 312 CI over heads finnished 1, 2, 3, at Raliegh. The next week there were about 20 with these late model engines.All the bodies were Ford Coupes. When they became hard to find Slant Backs started being used. Jeff Gilder said:
I'm pretty sure Jim Streeter drove mods.

Pete Banchoff said:
I wasn't going to respond to this discussion, but I will give my 2 cents anyway. I am not a fan of the modifieds mainly because I didn't watch them growing up as a kid. I watched what was called "Superstocks" and a fairly new class of cars in the late 50's called "Supermodifieds". The Michigan Supermodifieds were very, very competitive with the crowd at Oswego and won a few Classics. We have info and a fan page for these cars on the open wheel side of Racers Reunion.

I'm only one person of many and just because I don't care for something doesn't mean I speak for so many others on Racers Reunion. That being said, I never thought I'd be interested in the late 40's early 50's Nascar race cars that were raced. I then found a man named Jim Streeter who was kind enough to answer a few questions about how race cars were built and driven back in the day in Nascar. From tires, engines, rear ends, transmissions, brakes and bodies, he shared what he remembered and I became a fan. Maybe someday that one certain Modified will catch my attention and I'll fire off some questions.

As far as Johnny's "find"... build how you want to and enjoy it, Johnny! I'm sure I'll follow your build and ask some of my usual stupid questions along the way to learn more about your passion for building it. I also know it won't be a "trailer queen" as Johnny will use it harder than he probably should on the race track.(Especially if Tim is involved). I also know it will be built old school and who knows, I might become a fan.

Just a few of my thoughts...

Pete
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