Great Oregon Racers

I'll have to find a copy. Ernest/Robie's Willys has been getting a lot of press since Robie restored it.

 

My Brother gave me this article out of the McMinnville paper. It is a nice historical piece on a dirt track that was built in 1932. When I moved to Mac in '61, I remember driving by the closed down facility, and hearing about the Hardtop races that were run there in the 50's. My friend Jack Greiner told me about the Midget and Roadster races he competed in back in the early 50's. This article is about cars that were essentially "Speedsters", with two different divisions.

 

Interesting stuff> I never knew that track existed, nor had I ever heard of it.
Come on guys! POST YOUR STORIES AND PICTURES!

 

Were these the same car??

 

Possible these were the same car at different times?

 

Might be tough to find anyone old enough to have been there back then, and still alive today! I hope someone remembers it from maybe their childhood?

 

I talked with Jack Greiner last night, he raced his Track Roadster there in the early 50's. He also reminded me that a young guy got killed in a Roadster that same night, he was impaled by a board from the fence.

 

Yes, it is the same car.

 

I just received the sad news, we lost Don Pennington (Old Striper on here). Don was a very talented painter and striper, who applied his art to a good many race cars through the years. He co-authored the Slo-Poks book with Albert Drake, and was a wealth of knowledge on drag racing history. Don is the guy wearing the hat, talking across the table to Al Drake in the red jacket with black sleeves.
R.I.P. old friend !!!!!

 

Didn't ever know Don, but knew of his work. RIP Don.

 

Larry,
I've dealt with Dick McCartney for years, Great guy, He's done a lot of work on my Dad's cars over the years, do you know my dad Jack Burgoyne?

 

For those of you that missed my article in the Jan. Hot Rod Deluxe, it is now on the web in it's entirety . A fun one to write about my friend Jack Gillis and great N.W. history !!!

http://www.hotrod.com/hotroddeluxe/1401_the_first_gmc_blown_roadster_jack_gillis/

 

Larry, if that was a black Dart that consistently beat you, it was probably Dick Ott's F/S Dart. Dick held the National record for F/S with that Dart, and I don't remember him ever getting beaten. I also don't remember that car ever breaking?
That N. end of 82nd Ave leading to the airport actually had a painted start-finish line marked off at 1/4 mile! We often went down there to race, and kept a can of yellow paint handy so we could freshen up the marks if needed!
We also raced at what is now PIR, on the old streets of Vanport. Since it was not used, and all the houses were demolished or moved, it was a great area to set up a 1/4 mile.

 

And speaking of Hot Rod Deluxe. Have you guys seen the May issue? A very nice 6 page article on Robbie Davis' Von Homeyer's Cleaners Willys and Anglia cars. A great read with some fun local history.

 

Here is the link to the Hot Rod Deluxe article on Robbie Davis' Von Homeyer's Cleaners Willys and Anglia cars. >>>

http://www.hotrod.com/hotroddeluxe/1405_1939_willys_gasser_1948_anglia/

It is written by Tony Thacker, who is the executive director of the World of Speed museum. Here is a link to the museum. >>>
http://worldofspeed.org/

 

Here are some Youtube links to the Von Homeyer' Willys running all out at the Billetproof drags at Riverdale Raceway near Toutle, Washington in 2012. >>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H8Ast3UwA4&list=PLpX1P6ysYBMIlLEYfzsY4sU0VPTr-HG3v

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaSv4Xz2GEQ&list=PLpX1P6ysYBMIlLEYfzsY4sU0VPTr-HG3v

And in 2013. >>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epwecuxFRtk

"Von Homeyer's Cleaners Willys and Anglia cars." >>>

http://www.hotrod.com/hotroddeluxe/1405_1939_willys_gasser_1948_anglia/

 

Found this while looking at the Willys videos. 1971BB427 's Falcon gasser at Riverdale. >>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPB_oxOkuhs

 

Von Homeyer Willys pic from Billetproof 2012. More pics of the Willys and of 1971BB427 's Austin there, too.
http://billetproof.com/index.php/340/

 

Glad to see my best bud's Willys and Anglia getting some press. Lots of hours went into both of those cars. Very cool history and I'm glad more people are getting to see them.

 

Robbie's Willys really gets with it! Love seeing him stand it on the rear bumper!
My Falcon had two dead cylinders on Sunday, as I lost two lifters at time trials on Sat. I knew it sounded funny, but didn't find out until I got home and did a compression test.
Hope to run the Austin this year, as it just got a new engine and I should have the new intake and carbs sorted soon!

 

Your dad and I are old friends. We worked together and Omark Ind. back in the 60s I supplied a number of trucks and bodies to the business over the years. But, there is more .. Your grand father and my father both worked for Southern Pacific My First car was a '49 ford and I went through a lot of parts so I bought a back up car from your grandfather and Jack. What a small world Say Hi to Jack for me .. it's been a while since we have seen each other

 

BUMP! Don't want this thread lost in the change over!

 

Jim Rockstad...

 

This starting line shot (at Mac) shows Dave Wedlake on his Honda 305 "Scrambler" in the near lane. Within a couple of years he would be wrenching on the "Scotties Drive In" AA/FD with Ed McCulloch driving. He worked for a few different teams, before teaming up with Jerry Hill on their very successful AA/D. I had a great visit with Dave at the PTW show, he is playing with some beautiful old Triumph motorcycles now days.

 

I'm sad to report the passing of a good friend and a Senior Statesman to our sport & hobby. Bill Lewis left us last month.He was a 60 year member of the Slo Poks. His last adventure was a twin engine flathead dragster. His Memorial Service will be June 7th in Eugene, Or. His obit is here, http://obits.columbian.com/obituaries/columbian/obituary.aspx?pid=170981385. A picture of Lewis & Harry.

 

Here is a shot of Ken VanCleave's "Gurney" equipped small block Ford. Does anyone recognize the track with this roller setup. As I remember Ken was a Division 6 Champ in Comp Eliminator, before going into Pro Stock with a Dodge, The "Screamin Yellow Demon".

 

Kenney Goodell, in Don Jackson's car.

 

@redo32 any pictures of Bill's twin engine flathead dragster you mentioned? Sorry to hear about his passing. He sounded like an incredible individual.

 

Bill's twin engined car was a Comp Coupe built by Jerry Hill. It was a Dragster chassis with a Fiat Topolino body, very well put together.

 

Safe-Start info-- "In 1964 Hullinger designed and built roller platforms dubbed “Safe-Start” to eliminate the dangers of the practice of having to push start dragsters. Due to the success of the units, over 40 were installed at tracks across the country. Not only did the “Safe-Start” provide a safer method of starting cars, but it also made for a more efficient race operations and a better show for the spectators." from http://www.dragracingonline.com/agent1320/2012/1320-xiv_1-40.html