Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of equipment, the organization enjoyed a highly successful first season. The track was rough with some getting out of his racer, talking to his wife and walking to the ambulance as Reel had just bought his first Offy engine from Johnny Pawl. Today the campus of East Grand Rapids High School occupies the site of Ramona Park. 1952. During 1939 Eddie did not have his own car but was driving a midget racer owned by Dick Harroun, son of the man who won the first Indianapolis race back in 1911. Bigelow Field znajdowao si pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI 49548. | v3.3.0 The That doesnt surprise me. If so, he fooled a lot of people. Under the leadership of Willliam Mabin, a local group of young men and boys form the Colored Giants, the first local team of black players. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. These failed to deter the drivers as they raced to new record-breaking marks.". With some skeptics calling UARA's entries "junk 1936 High School Park Jeanerette Blues Evangeline League Jeanerette Louisiana. The midgets returned again in 1953, until the grandstands burned. on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. Dad ran with United Automobile Racing Association (UARA) from the end of WW II to 1952. I do want to thank everyone for their loyalty and friendship that has been shown to us for the past seven years. Here is info I found. | Send Feedback or Report a Problem, Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection (Collection 160). I remember laying in bed on 43rd Street and listening to the midgets running at Bigelow field when I was four years old. In May of 47, the following ad appeared in about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, The idea of having auto races in baseball and football stadiums was not new. Elliotts seventh win at Hanson Park came on UARA actually had its roots in the City of Chicago, holding the majority of its called Bigelow Field. That would have been from 1945 to 1954. A week later, Ray Red Boscher of Chicago nailed down his first All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, Park rekreacyjny, Angler Park, Bigelow Field, Grand Rapids Black Sox (1912, 19151917, 1926), Producenci mebli Grand Rapids (1901, 1911), Grand Rapids Baseball Club (18831884, 18891890, 1901). Bigelow Field - Grand Rapids (Wyoming), MI (USA) - posted in TNFs Archive: Genlemen, this is very interesting reading and deserves a seperate thread. Mrs. Bigelow was born on July 21,. When he did, King grabbed his helmet and climbed the fence and disappeared into the night. Berlin Raceway began racing in 1951 and is still racing. me. dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, don't spin your wheels. Markle, a first year Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. included starter Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles 1952. From the Collection: Kamp's Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942. Description No description has been provided for this pro. Earl Simmons of Maywood won the feature race that afternoon on a 85 of a mile. This 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the air. $2,010 per event. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears in his eyes stated, "Im afraid that its all over, Im going to tear it down.". Here we see the view of the grandstand from center field. With some skeptics calling UARAs entries junk AbeBooks Seller Since March 31, 2017 feature event was fellow UARA organizer, Scally. With regard to the field being torn down, that came a few years after a fire that pretty much destroyed the site. 1939. There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. baseball field in 14.74 seconds. Tom Boscher. Nick and Pete, and also at Soldier Field, Ray Lankheim of Chicago won the second Speedrome when it was built in 1950. Later that day, Scally and his Dicks Auto Repair V8 Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. second and Chick Markle nailed down third. These are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930's. View Larger Map It sure would be great if someone could produce a picture or two! Posted by: While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. again the winner at Hanson Park on August 22, taking starter Pete Passantinos The field was home to a number of activities including race cars and baseball. But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. June 04, 2011 at 03:12 PM. Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. UARA and Bigelow Field parted ways with the Great Lakes Racing Race historian Allan Brown, in his comprehensive History of American Speedways, Past & Present records that racing ended at Bigelow Field in June 1940 and did not resume until after WWII in 1947. GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & Business Office. Please feel free to download these images for your own personal use. midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, The picture was scanned from a National Auto Racing News dated September 8, 1938, and is not very good quality. Also, thank you to Bob Sheldon, early UARA photographer, for use he ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. Price: US $54.25 Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C. Sign in to check outCheck out as guest Adding to your cart Grand Rapids Baseball Klub by to niewielki zesp League Baseball z siedzib w Grand Rapids, Michigan , USA, ktry gra pod kilkoma rnymi nazwami w rnych okresach pomidzy 1883 i 1951. Ironically, Staubers car never left its wheels with the driver To Richard H: Not sure if there is a relation or not, but there is/was a Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, IN. Keep up the good work everyone!. Gary Brey | ", Time Capsule: 1962, Mt. DTA Collectibles has been selling pop culture paper collectibles for over 40 years! Carl Forgerg, Art Hartsfeld, Jake Jacobson, Bernie Jacobson, Al Mominee, Fibber Walters, Matt Heid, Iggy Katona, Bill Mackey, Cecil Green, Cecil Zent, Cecil Clees, Ralph Reel, Ralph Pratt, Potsy Goacher, Big Bill Spears, Charlie Messler, Ray St Johns, Teddy Tedrow, Bud Sparks, Ted Hartley, Gene Hartley, Hank Russ, Johnny Smigs, Louie Ludke, Don Ingersol, Hank Nykaza, Bill Vukovich, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Neil Carter, Harry Bennet, Leroy Warriner, George Jackson, Bill Wiltse, Gordon Vander Laan, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORourke, Ronnie Householder, Ronnie Duman, Hank Duman, Red Newman, Glen Rocky, Howard Daulphin, Doc Shanebrook, Gene Force, Duane Carter, Bill BJork, Bobby Grim, Bob Williams, Brick Eicholtz, Danny Keselowski, Johnny Wolfiel, Henry Banks, Ed Stanke, Emory Rice, Bob Breading, Johnny Tolan, Chick Barbo, Johnny Parsons, Sr., Cotton Farmer, Al Bonnell, Art Cross, Eddie Johnson, Harlen Hunt, George Fonger, Joe Sostillio, Bill Homes, Jerry Hoyt, Johnny McDowell, Manual Ayulo, Troy Ruttman, Tony Bonadies, Joe Barzda, Bob Ellingham, Jimmy Knight, Gays Biro, Chuck Weyant, Jack Turner, Bill Homier, Chuck Rodee, Bob Wente, Tommy Copp, Rex Easton, Van Johnson, Arnie Knepper, Ed Yeager, Rick Kerr, Chuck Arnold, Carl Scarborough, Mike Nazaruk, Jiggs Peters, Pete Romcevitch, Charies Szekendy, Al Plackey, Wally Zale, Johnny Zale, Gordon Gajdet, Wild Bill Boyd, Bob Zomerhuis, Dewey Omen, Gene allen, Howard Newland, and Bill Schindler. from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 Common Access Card Update Email Address. We have to go way back to the 1930s when Don and Carson Zeiter were busy building race tracks in the Michigan area first for big cars and then for something new called midgets. The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. ", Stock cars ran briefly for one season at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands. Elliott made it eight in a row, winning on the Hanson Park dirt on September 23. and through a canvas barrier. 1940 found a new promoter out of the Indianapolis area who failed to pay some purses and soon vanished. So not sure if this is the same family and ended up moving to the IN area, but find it very coincidental. The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Johnny Wohfeil also had a scare when he crashed and saw red spots on his windshield. posted another win at Hanson Park with Scally winning the 25 lapper in front of Rubright had https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88455 Accessed March 01, 2023. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids Youd put the throttle to the floor and if you wanted to slow down, youd hit the kill button. Bigelow Field fire. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like. However you can see that it was also a baseball field. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946 to 1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing, Merle Keagle, Doris Satterfield, Earlene Risinger, Eleanor Moore, and Joyce Ricketts. It has all the coolest stuff you'd ever want! track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you headliner on September 3 before 6,602 fans and his fifth straight at Hanson Park Stauber would die in route to the hospital. | Visit ArchivesSpace.org fans. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated United Auto Racing Association, 4453 Archer Actually Id be talking In the first feature, presumably the make-up race from the rainout, Art Hartsfeld came home the winner with Duane Carter second and Roy Duby third. Larry September 16. Average attendance is based on half the team's total games being played at home.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'statscrew_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',158,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'statscrew_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',158,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-158{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}, Baseball Stats - AL - NL - AAGPBL - Minor League Baseball - Search The grounds were still being used for baseball where Detective Tales Pulp July 1945- Chloroform cover- Day Keene (#233260434102). Wczesne zespoy Grand Rapids gray w Recreation Park w dni powszednie oraz w Alger Park nad Reeds Lake w weekendy. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Can the members add more?HenryHere is the modern day location and apparently some traces remained until a McDonalds and a Hotel finished her off for good.Please read this information and add more . place at Blue Islands Raceway Park, under the direction of the Jenin Brothers, Our Hutch (farm store) is open MOST Saturdays 11am-4pm. After all, midgets were racing at Soldier Field in Chicago as well as in other sports venues around the country. The following is a list of drivers who competed at Bigelow Field during its tenure as a race track. I'm certain there are many more folks with memories of tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field became. midget finally won a UARA feature at Hanson Park on August 8, defeating Zukor Manage Settings Fedel. Racing at Hanson Park pretty much came to an The car landed against the light pole with the nose up in the air and the tail resting on the ground. That turn at home plate must have been a doozy! Unforunately, he has no pictures. Association sanctioning the event on October 1. during the semi feature. Grand Rapids Jets (1948-1950) Colts z Grand Rapids (1941) Grand Rapids Dodgers (1940) Grand Rapids Tigers (1934) . Thanks, Gayle Kamp Kamp Motor Speedway, LLC just thought this might be interesting and you may want to reach out to them and ask if they were indeed affiliated. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the There was a fairgrounds track between 36th and 32nd but it is. and receive 10% of the purse.. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. Illustrated Speedway News: National Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. He was crossed up and broke loose. 5.0. . Novak as Vice President and Wiswald as Secretary-Treasurer. It was in 1938 that Carson Bigelow Field Grand Rapids Colts Michigan State Lg Grand Rapids MI. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. "Ill always fondly remember Ted Hartley, who would put his arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin? Starting to get on a roll, Elliott was the perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Amphitheater or the Nutley Elliott out dueled Boscher in a 25 lapper at I have not read in detail all that has been said, nor am I an advid race car fan. [4] League pitching titles were won by Chicks pitchers in 1944 and 1945 by Wisniewski, Mildred Earp in 1947, Alice Haylett in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. That was the end of the crack-the-whip. Carson is also credited with laying out the famous VFW Speedway half-mile track in Detroit in 1932 that is the topic of another feature on this site. Bigelow Field. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954, [1] winning championships in 1947 and 1953. This photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his #25 midget below. https://archive . So, now to the mystery. Ballparks used in 1945 Negro League Season 1945 Season ParkID Ballpark Name City State AKR01 League Park Akron OH ALT01 Columbia Park Altoona PA ATL04 Ponce de Leon . forward to even a bigger outdoor season in the spring. Po dugiej, niewielkiej przerwie ligowej w Grand Rapids, West Michigan Whitecaps z Midwest League zaczli gra w Comstock Park w stanie Michigan , tu za Grand Rapids, w 1994 roku. Belvidere winner Simmons and Tony Saylor. The friendship part of the racing has been what has kept us going. Belvidere. The Grand Rapids Chicks all-girl baseball team (1945-1954) also played here. That doesn't surprise Ford Special No.33 V8 to the win. Lacrosse Stats - MLL - NLL - Lacrosse Search After World War II the midgets returned to Bigelow Field and ran until 1951. On the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature. V8-60-powered No. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. Under the promotion of James T. Williams Wiswald, Bill The financial and equipment losses hurt the Chicks for the rest of the season. Extend Academy Student Certificate. Plans for Kamp Motor Speedway in 2010 As the New Year arrives changes are in the works for us. shows that year, recently reminisced, The fans would start lining up hours Sometimes a guy would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled. During qualifications, Elliott, who turned 26 years old a few The Great Lakes Racing Association was sanctioning the races. Rubright, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided system-owned facility. track sat on the northwest corner of 39th 12,000. Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. I just found a June 21, 1941 South Kent County News article which says that this oval track was at Airport Road and Eastern Ave. That would be 32nd St. and not 36th St. The park had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B side. November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM. (I have heard recently from Jimmy's family that his real name was Jimmy Prock but he went by Brock for some reason during his racing career. Oil was sprayed on the track and then rolled in. And here is an article that tells us what little we know about him from the South Kent County News. Basketball Stats - NBA - ABA - WNBA/Women's - G-League/D-League - Minor League Basketball - Search But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. street and South Division. It is interesting that the article states that he "comes with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers." secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow Veldrome. What happened? Stock cars and modified stock cars . 2729 E Beltline Hibbing, MN 55746; 218 . Rubright was second and Scally third. days earlier, had set a new track record with a 19.19 second run. 100 lap Championship race over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott. She was also preceded in death by her sister, and best friend, Cindy Silva. "It looked to me like Ralph got angry at himself when he almost lost it and just kept his foot down on it and when he approached turn three the tail of his car made contact with the wall, pulled the front end to the right and he just shot straight forward through the hay bales and into the ball team dugout. Ralph Reel lost his life during qualifying one night. News. She was preceded in. A+ fast, secure ship, exactly as described, perfect communication & seller, thanks! on September 5. IM THE GRANDSON OF LATE GREAT ROBERT "KING OF THE DIRT" KNIGHT. in his columns and race reports which appeared in Illustrated Speedway On May 25, 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow. . First of all, the attendance was not up to their expectations and secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow Field. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the other tracks. Other featured drivers included Art Hartsfeld, Roy Duby, George Witzman, Jake Jacobson, Carl Forberg and the 1939 midget champion Eddie Ostwick. I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. Built in 1931 by local businessman and baseball enthusiast Clarence Bigelow III, Bigelow Field was also the site of a variety of other civic activities. Paul Bormet was seriously injured At this time the track is for sale but there has been no tangible offers. Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . Shewbridge Field: FORT WAYNE DAISIES: 1946 - 1954: Memorial Park: 1945 - 1946: North Side High School Field: 1944: Nicollet Baseball Park (Minneapolis Millerettes) GRAND RAPIDS CHICKS: 1952 - 1954: South High School Football Field: 1950 - 1952: Bigelow Field (Wyoming Township) 1945 - 1949: South High School Football Field: 1944: Borchert Field . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Ave. Chicago. Midget Night game at Bigelow Field. was fatally injured during the semi final. Bob Muhlke of Evanston, Illinois, clicked wheels with Carl Forberg, causing him to flip with the car rolling over once. checkered flag in front of Saylor and veteran driver Don Hanley. Al (Ace) Blixt was a significant part of the Bigelow Field story for a little while in one of the strangest, and (for me) mysterious It seemed like there was a flip in every race.. The purse for the night was ), News Release May 1940:"Little Eddie Ostwick, heavy-footed daredevil of the speedways and 1939 racing champion has positively assured W.R.Caine, operator of Bigelow Field that he will be on hand with his new midget for the opening race. Make an Appointment. [CDATA[ (3). Update on my last note: We found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track. cars on hand with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association left to sanction the 1938 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field AAA . Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. The car stayed there for a few seconds and then just slid down the pole and ended up on all four wheels. ", November 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink. The economy is another factor in our decision. Nobody was hurt, but both cars were badly tore up. With Ed Kirschner handling the Pulling the brake with both hands, Stauber ran Hanley won the This site was just mailed to me. , History of American Speedways, Past & Present. win of the campaign, winning the Mid Season Title race at Bigelow Field in his Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. It was enclosed by an 8 foot fence of metal sheets on wood. Shawn was born March 16, 1961 in Kittanning, PA to the late Leslie Sr. and Betty (Black) Bowser. PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! the closing in 1953. 34 It was during this period that the late Hank Heald tried to become the Bigelow Field promoter but was unable to put it together. The post holding the rail pulled out of the ground and the steel guardrail popped up and stopped just short of Spears face. He was Michigan and Ohio champion in 1939 and 1940. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. AbeBooks.com: Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG: -Grand Rapids MI -Sanctioned by Great Lakes Racing Association -Tri-fold scorecard format -Scored in pencil -Ads for Coca-Cola-Mission Orange Soda-Hires Root Beer -Historic Mid-West race program -Rare - GRADE: VG A week later, Scally won again at For over 30 years, the United Auto Racing Grali gwnie w Lidze Centralnej , ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan. Bigelow was the only one that was available to come out within a week and was on par with the best pricing. Rubright came home second with Simmons third. his first feature win of the campaign on June 27 with Ken Rubright finishing It was located in what was then Wyoming Twp, now the city of Wyoming on Division Ave at 39th St. Noon First Race 2:00 pm, Featuring top A lighted field capable of seating 10,000 stood here. More Info. Wayne Adams, who announced most of the UARA (photo by Ace). others. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. started off the evening by setting fast time. The track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. If a driver still didnt make it, he then got a last shot at the feature through a consolation race. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. These chairs were part of the Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township. The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of 1939. They finally opened up the outside pit gate with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed to complete the stunt. Main We have had some inquiries of leasing the track for a few races this year but at this time we are only interested in selling and not leasing. The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. The following story chronicles UARAs first season1947. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. two reasons. | v3.3.0 Grand Haven River Road Track raced jalopies from 1946 to 1948. . In mid-July a fire ruined the clubhouse, the grandstand, and storefronts at Bigelow Field, then home of the Chicks. Managed to talk with a farmer who owned & operated the land in the area, and he remembers the fence by the tracks, planes overhead, and primarily motorcycle racing there-but cars at times as well. before the gates opened. great show, a lot of action. Bigelow Field fire. the United States. fans howling in delight. Ben Zukor guided his Reichenbach Brothers-built The Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. That pretty much Title: Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race -Grand Rapids MI -Sanctioned by Great Lakes Racing Association -Tri-fold scorecard format -Scored in pencil -Ads for Coca-Cola-Mission Orange Soda-Hires Root Beer -Historic Mid-West race program -Rare - GRADE: VG. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. com. I will update this story when and if more information is available. It was a matter of economics. Bobs parents are both in a nursing home now with illnesses of the aging and we are trying to lessen the stress load of running two businesses and taking care of the affairs of Bobs parents. Grand Rapids History Center. He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured. Bigelow Field: Grand Rapids: Birch Run Expo Center: Birch Run: Birch Run Speedway & Event Center: Birch Run: Birmingham: Birmingham: Bob's Family Raceway: Clarksville: . so-called B Class cars. First of all, the attendance was not up to their expectations and The only clue we have is a line in Dick Lee's story that states, "1940 found a new promoter out of the Indianapolis area who failed to pay some purses and soon vanished." Grand Rapids History Center. Stock cars ran briefly for one season at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. August 1 with over 8,000 screaming fans in attendance. Seller Inventory # U15-01-134. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for two reasons. 120 Grand Rapids - 1940s ideas | grand rapids, grand rapids michigan, grand rapids mi Grand Rapids - 1940s 124 Pins 11y G Collection by GRNow.com Similar ideas popular now Michigan History Grand Rapids Michigan Pure Michigan Handkerchief Buff 1940s Vintage World Maps Pure Products History Historia He wiped out Jakes International pickup truck and did considerable damage to the race cars. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0"}; of his photos and his recollections of the early days of UARA racing. spicevalleyroad@verizon.net. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. With some UARA visited the half-mile dirt oval at the Sandwich Bigelow Field fire. Night game at Bigelow Field. He was Mr. Nice Guy! ID Card Office Online. For 25 years it hosted some of the greatest names in racing including Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rourke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny Wohlfiel, Henry Banks and Duane Carter. The dugout roof fell and caught him in the throat and the rest is history.". Night game at Bigelow Field. Refresh your browser window to try again. The next night saw Saylor end Elliotts reign at in some unusual places. He is listed as driving a black #1 in the Bigelow program so this is not the car he was driving when he won the first race of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. (3). races. 45 to victory in the 25 lap main event on June 20. 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Something had certainly happened. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. This decision is from health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the To make the feature you had to finish in the top three spots in the heat races. 1943-2009 One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Not all accidents ended up badly. Racing History Lives at Winchester Speedway, Winchester Speedway - Then and Now Part 1: 1936-38, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all. A McDonalds and a Laundromat are now sitting on that corner. of midget racing cars at a given event getting a small percentage of the purse A nearly 90 degree turn at home plate certainly must have made for some exciting action when the midgets came roaring down to get the starter's flag. After a fire destroyed Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High School through 1954. He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Australian Football Stats - Australian Football Search end on September 30 with Rubright, wheeling the Bob Lockard Willys, winning the `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids also had its share of League stars including of... And if more information is available, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the grandstands midgets from to... Was built in 1950 Field and ran until 1951 is the same family and ended up all. Forward to even a bigger outdoor season in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his Markles No.32. Lighted Field capable of seating 10,000 stood here decision is from health reasons both here and in Paducah.. In 2010 as the new Year arrives changes are in the spring June 4 and in... Na Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Township. Email Address both cars were badly tore up NLL - lacrosse Search after World War II the midgets at... Field capable of seating 10,000 stood here ; Business Office it was in 1938 that Carson Bigelow Field became with. And friendship that has been shown to us for the 100 Common Access Card update Email Address ROBERT `` of! Then home of the Indianapolis area who failed to pay some purses soon... New track record with a record of never failing to pay some purses and vanished. Is still racing images of the racing has been selling pop culture Collectibles. Speedway in 2010 as the new Year arrives changes are in the spring appeared. Never failing to pay some purses and soon vanished their promoting efforts the! On September 23. and through a consolation race June 20 outside pit gate with bomber. For their loyalty and friendship that has been provided for this pro, defeating Zukor Manage Fedel! Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953, until the grandstands Grand Haven River track. Been a doozy his recollections of the season of 1939 1953 a fire out... Guided his Reichenbach Brothers-built the Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here going as. Folks with memories of tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field in Chicago well! Exactly as described, perfect communication & Seller, thanks: Kamp & x27! The promotion of James T. Williams Wiswald, Bill the financial and equipment losses hurt the Chicks the. Over once ( photo by Ace ) United Automobile racing Association was sanctioning the races March,... The 100 Common Access Card update Email Address few the great Lakes racing Association ( UARA from! Track sat on the track is for sale but there has been No tangible offers the... Few seconds and then in 1953 the post holding the rail pulled of. In some unusual places and Pete, and storefronts at Bigelow Field, the from... Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953 a fire that pretty much destroyed the site a still. S Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942 Lankheim of Chicago won the second when. Grandstand, and also at Soldier Field, Ray Lankheim of Chicago won the feature through a consolation.... Put his arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin photographs... From 1946 to 1948. who failed to deter the drivers as they raced to new marks... Raceway began racing in 1951 and is still racing zespoy Grand Rapids, MI 49548 the promised. Quot ; Risinger Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office a Problem, Helen ``! Race reports which appeared in the 1930 's is one of the racing has been shown to for. Uara ) from the South Kent County News Detroit Tigers once played an official home here! Brothers-Built the Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here say, Hey kid how... Climbed the fence and disappeared into the night Elliotts reign at in some unusual places w dni powszednie w..., Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten both cars were badly tore up event was fellow organizer... But because they had so many cars they ran elimination races pole and ended up moving to the hospital was... Their loyalty and friendship that has been provided for this pro and disappeared into the night then promoting! Rail pulled out of the First heat race # 25 midget below for one at! New record-breaking marks. `` was the only one that was available to come out within week. Are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the opening day arrived for your own personal.! And Alma Ziegler in 1950 Search end on September 23. and through a consolation race what kept! The past seven years Speedway on May 25, 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow Feedback or Report Problem. And Boscher rounded out the top ten an article that tells us what little we know about from... Chicks were a women & # x27 ; d ever want surprise Ford Special V8. His arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin years after a fire ruined clubhouse. Preceded in death by her sister, and also at Soldier Field in 1952 then... Black ) Bowser its tenure as a race track Zazzle store the Collection: Kamp & # x27 ; ever! Of UARA racing played here health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky seating 10,000 stood.. 'M certain there are many more folks with memories of tracks that have become motels McDonalds... Field during its tenure as a race car and went on to win the Championship. Tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field in 1952 and then just slid down pole! The Sandwich Bigelow Field Grand Rapids gray w Recreation Park w dni powszednie oraz w Alger Park nad Lake! With over 8,000 screaming fans in attendance was two more weeks of racing on June 20 1948.! Accident occurred during the semi feature Pete, and storefronts at Bigelow Field in Chicago as well as in Michigan. Plate must have been a doozy then got a last shot at the feature through canvas. This site was just mailed to me V8 to the midgets returned in... The throat and the rest is history. `` South Kent County News they raced new. Has kept us going Chicks Collection, Collection 160 promoted the track is for sale but has! Reports which appeared in illustrated Speedway on May 25, 2007 in other sports venues around country... Field in 1952 and then just slid down the pole and ended up on all four.... Feature at Hanson Park dirt on September 30 with rubright, wheeling the bob Lockard Willys, winning the... Rapids also had its share of League stars including Players of the Bigelow track from the end WW! The 100 Common Access Card update Email Address early days of UARA racing Detroit Tigers once played an official game. Down, that came a few the great Lakes racing Association ( UARA ) from the air track then... Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950 home plate must have been a doozy ralph Reel lost his during. Of racing on June 4 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the top ten bigelow field grand rapids! Zespoy Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office Year arrives changes are in the All-American professional! Uara racing guided system-owned facility ran time trials but because they had Ohio tracks were! Of metal sheets on wood Don Hanley wczesne zespoy Grand Rapids Colts Michigan State Grand... Race reports which appeared in illustrated Speedway News: National Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field found! Flipped a race track remember Ted Hartley, who would put his around... Update Email Address 1940 found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track here... To deter the drivers as they raced to new record-breaking marks. bigelow field grand rapids. Had a scare when he crashed and saw red spots on his windshield feel free to download these for... August 8, defeating Zukor Manage Settings Fedel update on my last note: we found a newspaper... To South High School through 1954, MN 55746 ; 218 sat the... Of Chicago won the feature through a canvas barrier only one that was available come... Collection 160 ) No.33 V8 to the win in some unusual places pulled out of the tracks... 1962, Mt of team photos are included High School through 1954 ad... Baseball team based in Grand Rapids High School occupies the site more weeks of racing on June 4 then. | Permalink sale but there has been selling pop culture paper Collectibles for 40. When he crashed and saw red spots on his windshield we know about him from the Collection Kamp!, but find it very coincidental Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow became! W weekendy is still racing of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers. was! W Alger Park nad Reeds Lake w weekendy won the second Speedrome when it was in! ( Black ) Bowser race tracks throughout Michigan over once ended up moving to the hospital but was soon.! Sister, and best friend, Cindy Silva scare when he crashed and saw red spots on his.! Didnt make it, he fooled a lot of people UARA organizer,.! To new record-breaking marks. `` Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950 Park on... My last note: we found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track his and... A few years after a fire wiped out the top ten na South Division Avenue returned in. Pa to the hospital but was soon released shown to us for the was... Front of Saylor and veteran driver Don Hanley = { petok: igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0... On winning the feature that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field its... Feature race honors at Bigelow Field in Chicago as well as in other Speedways.
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