Event Coverage 9/18/1949 Russetta Timing Association - El Mirage

When my Dad ran with the Russetta Timing Association his younger brother, Al Baker, would sometimes tag along and take a few pictures before he (my Uncle Al) broke from the ranks and went the Sporty Car route. My Uncle passed away last Monday 4 days before what would be his 88th birthday and 6 days away from celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary.

Here are pics from my Uncle Al from Sept 18, 1949 at El Mirage. The captions are from notes on the back of the pictures, and thank you for your indulgence

The Ranch House:


Jim McKinley, Stock 36 - 90.36 mph:


Cooling down the watermelons appropriated the previous night from a filed nearby
Fran Hernandez/ Dick Pierson/Don Towle/Chuck Asayian:


Don Towle, C Coupe - 135.81 mph Coupes Club New C Record:


Don Towle, C Coupe - 135.81 mph Coupes Club New C Record:


My Dad Sharon Baker on the ground with help from his buddy Fran Hernandez:


Calahan B Sedan - Burned Piston Prior to Qualifying:


Fronty T:


Unknown:


Unknown:


Unknown:

Unknown:

Long time family friends Dick (on the left) & Bob Pierson with the
Pierson Bros B Coupe 127+ mph Coupes Club New B Record:


Mrs. Ak (Imogene) Miller - 123.70 mph W/Ak Driving:


Unknown A Sedan 96+ mph:


Butke/Corwin B Sedan - 123+ mph Coupes Club B Sedan Record:


The 'O Boy' Coupe - 96+ mph:


Unknown:


The 'O Boy' Coupe - 96+ mph:


Unknown:


B Roadster - 139.79 mph Contested for Front End Alterations:


Gil Ayala B Coupe - 121+ mph:

 

O U T S T A N D I N G POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please tell us you have more!?!?!? Gary

 

The pictures are fabulous. As Gary says, any more?
Please?

I see that you list the 227b T Roadster as "unknown" but it seems really familiar.......

 

Fabulous,love those old pictures.Sorry for the loss of your uncle.

 

Yes, fantastic - more please!

 

I forgot to mention... your date is EXACTLY one year after I was born! Remember it like yesterday... ha ha. Gary

 

Great!!!!!!!----------I'm from Inglewood,Ca.---The "Coupes" club from 1946-1950 consisted of 3 "Look alikes" Bob Pierson, Jim McKinley, Joe Torvick, all 3 were white 3wnd coupes, twin spots, skirts, Desoto bumpers, modified v8 flatheads.
Being in Inglewood hi school at that time, your pix brings back many memories of Monday mornings asking who had the fastest time at the lakes over the weekend??
Every time one of these guys cruised Grevilla st. in front of school, we all drooled!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for sharing!!!!! AWESOME!

 

This photo shows the Bob Pierson '36 coupe with the grill partly covered. I thought it gave the coupe a really neat look (no La Salle grill). I think that I have seen only one other photo of this "version" of the coupe. I liked the look then and now. I saw it as I was racing my car there that day. The grill was like what a "racer" might do rather than what a customized design would be.
Notes: Other cars not identified in the photos are:
No. 236 Roadster - Harold Osborn, Hutters club
No. 412A Sedan - Bob Lee, Velociteers club
No. 359A Coupe - Bill Boren, Screwdrivers club
No. 430 B Coupe - Glen Cole, GCRC club
227B Roadster - Creighton Hunter, Howlers club

Great photos and fun to see them
Don

 

FANTASTIC! 1/2 Fast! You just gotta love this stuff, thank you.

 

What a treasure trove of previously unknown photo's,made my day! HRP

 

Yes I do have a few more, from 1946. I'll rescan them and do a little photo correction to 'em and post in a couple of days
And thank you for the kind remarks

 

Thank you

 

Don: Thank you for the invaluable info on the cars I couldn't identify. I'll add them to the photos on my website.
Bill Boren's daughter has some great photos that she has posted on the Screwdriver's Facebook page.
I'm sure you know that there's a HAMB member who has restored the Pierson '36

 

DDD:
My Dad met the Pierson Bros around 1948(?) while working the parts counter at George M. Sutton Ford in Inglewood. Seems the brothers were in buying parts all the time and always went to my Dad because he knew just about every part number by rote. Dick Pierson commented once that my Dad could build a Ford from the ground up by just recalling part numbers from memory. My Dad asked Bob one day what they were up to, Bob answered, my Dad wanted in on the fun, and Bob took my Dad to Edelbrock's and introduced him to Bobby Meeks. And off they went. I have heard stories of those guys cruising the school too.

 

Thanks for posting all these GREAT Photos, lots of History also!

 

amazing pictures, thanks for sharing them

 

Spectacular, I remember your dad's website was one of the first I found with old hot rod photo's around 2001-02. Thank you for posting. Condolences to you and your family for the passing of your Uncle.

This is the Alger & Starr T roadster

 

Those photo's are way above value..........what a treasure!!!

 

OUTSTANDING! Simply amazing that the photographs have stood the test of time! Thank you so much for posting such historic fact filled photographs. My Condolences to you and your family and loved ones on the passing of your Uncle. Joe

 

Jimmy B
Thanks for the kind words and the info on the car in this pic
I started the bakerracingpix site as a lark back around 1998 or so with no intention that it would last this long.
And your contributions are above and beyond

 

thanks for posting.......and sorry for the loss.....

 

Those are some incredible photos. Thanks for sharing!
Anyone know if the Don Towle Coupe is still around? In my parts stash, I have a portion of a chopped 34 5/w Coupe roof that had the quarter windows filled. Not something you see too often.

 

For those that requested more images, there are a few from '46 & '50 from El Mirage here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/el-mirage-1946-1950.995421/

 

I just found this thread. My condolences for your loss. Thank you very much for sharing these photos. Amazing history!

 

Wonderful pictures and incredible history. Thank you for sharing!


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

I agree thanks. I grew up in Inglewood too, but after. I was 5 in 1949...

 

Some of the best photos I've seen of early lakes meets. They really show how it was.

 

You are welcome. I see you list Mesa, Colo as your place of residence. Prior to my Uncle's passing, he was in Grand Junction for the last 25 - 30 years. I'm sure he would have enjoyed talking to you about the "good ol days"

 

Cool pics, thanks