Greetings from Missouri

New to the site and thought I'd pop in to say hello.

I'll most likely just lurk about, stealing your secrets and filing them away for future use on my own project.

Been an open wheel dirt stock car racer for many years, and though I've done a fairly simple rebuild of a '65 Mustang, I'm venturing into new territory trying to combine the two.

I've had an idea rolling around the ample empty space in my head for many years now, and it seems to be about the right time for me to make it happen.

It's just a vague idea right now, but as I gather up ideas here and there, it'll get more solid.

When I know for sure what I'm doing, I'll outline my plans and start a build thread. Until then, here's to happy tinkering and a safe holiday weekend for you all.

 

welcome from upper mo! lots of mo folks on here~!

 

Sweet. Most places are like "Missouri, huh? WTH is there in Missouri?"

To which I have to reply "Not a lot." lol

Where abouts are you in MO?

I'm about 50 mi south of Jeff City (just about directly between Jeff and Rolla).

Not a lot out here, but it sure can be peaceful (until you crank over an alcohol race motor that is ). Lot of old folks who dislike noises and driving over 15 mph.

Is there any chance of finding vintage steel in MO you think? I'm mulling over my options as far as how I want to proceed in my design, and I've gotta make this choice fairly soon.

I'd obviously rather have a steel body, preferably original steel that ain't rotten. Repro steel is expensive with a capital $$, but might be an option if it came to that. Fibergl*** is cheap, but somewhat cheesy IMO, and harder to work with (for me anyway). Wouldn't feel bad about butchering a gl*** body though, so it could be a good way to go for a first try. Save the steel for when I've got my A game tuned in.

I dunno. Many options, and not a lot of direction in my head just now. I think I'm gonna work on the suspension geometry and frame/cage design first and hope the bodywork solution hits me in the head.

 

The name sounds like I've heard it at Capital Speedway???

 

Im From Sedalia

 

Indeed.

I ran A-Modified there for 6 years.

 

Hey I live in Dixon, good to meetcha, I've got a 47 ford coupe that be way cool moonshiner style. I also have or know about some other projects. Send me a message or call me some time573-759-7722 or 573-528-3251

 

I crewed for Ed Knaebell for to many years

 

I lived in that piss hole for 18 years. Graduated in 72 and I can count the times I've been back on 1 hand.

 

your wackin hand?????

 

Damn thats funny. Should have seen that one coming Binder!

 

Your right, I should have seen it commin from the Whack Master!!

 

Well I'll be damned. Small world, ain't it?

How's Ed doin'? I haven't seen him since he took that tumble down the back stretch. Bad deal that.

I've been wondering what happened to all the racers since Capital went ***s up. I was sorry to see the old girl go really, even though we hadn't run there in a few years.

 

A lot of the guys are still in it as strong as ever. I went to 1 race last year at the lake. Capital Speedway is now a housing development.

Ed has been helping his brother Robbie with his A Mod.

What kind of ride have you got? Later Keith

 

Nothing but the urge right now.

Came to do some recon and brew up some ideas.

I can't spare the time anymore to race a full schedule like I used to, so I gotta find me a half step in between all out and nothing at all. This looks like a happy medium.

Went through Holt Summit last week, sad sight to see houses where there used to be a race track.

 

keith,,,,
if you would have read the article in playgirl instead of just lookin at the pics, you would know they call me jack master, not whack master!

 

Your a sick, sick man! lol

I guess you were head of the debating team in school so I guess that would make you a master bater

 

Missouri native myself. Born and raised in the little town of Wyatt 5 miles from the Mississippi River almost in the Boot Heel. Started to college at Rolla in 72. My parents retired to Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff. Good to see some more Missouri folks on here.

 

Welcome to the forum. I am in Russellville about ten miles from Jeff City. Good luck on the search for vintage tin.

 

Hello from St.louis

 

And the world gets smaller still.

I too am a UMR alum, though I doubt it was as hard core when I went through as it was for you in the '70's.

Still a very good engineering school, though they changed the name of it to something retarded this last year. UMR is no more.

I'm finding that there basically isn't any old steel in Missouri to speak of. But KS, IL, AR, and IA seem to have quite a bit, so there is still a very good chance of finding what I'm after within driving range. Keepin' my fingers crossed.

 

S.W. Mo here. just about 10 minutes from MoKan speedway. Good to see some more Missouri peeps.

 

CoolHand, good luck on your search. There seems to still be lots of old tin in the Ozarks. My family vacationed on the big lakes in So MO and No AR when I was a kid; Bull Shoals, Norfork, Table Rock. That hill country was full of old cars. 'Course that was then.....seems like the eBay sellers are cleaning out all the junk yards and fence rows selling all the treasures to folks who have watched one too many Barret Jackson auction.....
What years were you at UMR? I left in 76 without a degree but went back to school years later in KY and got a BS in 92 at Murray State.

 

I started in '98 and went full time until my third semester, where I started to burn out (mostly due to a ****py advisor saddling me with 200 & 300 level cl***es as a sophomore). I was also running out of money, so I dropped back to half time the next semester and started a business.

I started a small machine shop and manufactured paintball marker accessories while I went to school half time. Things went like that until May of 2005. Funny how at half time it takes twice as long to finish school.

I finally graduated and p***ed the EIT in May of that year, then took a job as a civil engineer with a local developer doing shopping centers all over the state, which brings me to the present. I still do a little machine work on the side, but the engineering keeps me pretty damned busy (multiple projects all over Missouri).

Going to school at UMR was like paying someone to kick you in the nuts for months at a time, but I can honestly say it was well worth it. After having gone through that, the challenges I come across at work don't look so bad in comparison, and I know I have the necessary knowledge and problem solving skills to take care of them. Big confidence booster.

 

Sometimes I wish I had finished at Rolla. Probably been better for my career, but.....I don't regret where life has taken me. I finally became an engineer and have worked in the mechanical design field for 22+ years now. I got my EIT (they call it Engineer Intern) in Indiana in 96. I had hopes of being a PE but all my work has been in manufacturing and you usually don't get to work with/for many PE's. It's hard to get acceptable references.....oh, well.
Sorry! Too much about me. What are looking for in a car/rod/project?

 

I dunno for sure, still up in the air.

Right now, I'm just looking to see what I can find. The cars available will probably end up making my decision for me.

In a perfect world, I'd like to have a '33 Ford Sedan that's very nearly rust free. Failing that, a '34 Ford truck would be cool, and failing that, I'm pondering maybe doing a mid '40's Dodge or Ford heavy truck with a fabricated or donor bed (small bed).

I dunno, we'll have to see where the steel takes us.

 

Hey Missouri dirt track Fans,

I grew up watching some of the best dirt track racing in the mid-sixties at the Jeff City tracks (Holt Summit & Jeff City). My father had close friends who drove sprinters and we got to see a lot of good racing. I got to see Jimmy Jenkins, Roy & Russ Hibbard, Bill Utz all race. Kenny Taylor died before I really became a fan.

I like researching the past and stumbled upon this thread.

There was a Missouri gentleman by the name of "Speedy Lewis" who was the track photographer for the tracks back in the day. He was from Sedalia, he has since p***ed. I really would like to find out who holds his vast library of Mid-Missouri racing photos. They are priceless at this point, true treasures if they can be found and preserved for all to enjoy.

It's a longshot, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Contact me at - Mail@EggsbytheBay.com

-Smitty

Meanwhile here are a few old pics I have to share of the local heros-

Here is a photo of the Bros Hibbard (Russ & Roy).
Along with Slater/Marshal natives Kenny Taylor and
Jimmy Jenkins were a force to be dealt with in the 60's.




Jimmy Jenkins driving what I feel is the most decorated Sprinter
of it's day. This is the same car that Kenny Taylor won in (also died in).
This car has been fully restored, and I'm happy it's still around today, what a history.

 

Hello from Grain Valley. Home of Valley speedway sorry to hear about Capital closing. Popped in there one night for a MLRA race. Had a good time just a long ride back home. Any idea on what kinda ride you wanna build. I had had stumbled upon some A's a while back possible there may be one or two left.

 

I bought a '29 Tudor Sedan body, which now sets on a rolling cart waiting for me to get to it.

If you've got a line on Model A steel in MO, please do PM me. One can never have too many, especially when they're close to home.

 

Welcome to the HAMB from St.Charles, MO (20 minutes west of STL for you unaware folks).

Marty McF.