In our area of Iowa, the old school hot rodders raced on the streets, drove their neighbors crazy with their hot rods and generally did what most hot rodders did in the country. Something that happened here, however, was building a dirt track where many of these rodders could hone their driving skills, compete against each other and in many cases develop into great racers with fans throughout the Midwest. The likes of Red Droste, Bill Zwanziger, Dale Osborn, the Sanger brothers, Bob Hilmer...they all took their hot rod skills to the track and for 35 years Tunis Speedway thrived in this community, sometimes drawing anywhere from 5000 to 8000 (at one time) fans to see the action every week. Many of those former drivers are still around, though many in their 80s now. But to a man they still love hot rods, racing and the thrill of competing. Have you talked with an old hot rodder lately?
Going to visit one of the best body men in the Cedar Valley in about 10 minutes. He grew up with the folks you're referencing. A long time friend of Red, Dale, and Rudy Petra.
As I recall, the reason given for closing the track was that the real estate was too valuable to be a race track. And there it sets. Blue
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