Big Car Racing Association & Hall of Fame, LLC BCRA ESTABLISHED 1958, SPRINGS CO th (50 Anniversary 1958 - 2008 )

BIG CAR RACING CHRONICLES October, November, December 2008

Bcra Staff: Ray Cunningham(Ks), Boyd Adams(Tx), Bruce Budy(C0), Jerry Miller(Tx), Tom Davey(Co), Wayne Panter(Tx), Gary Wolfe(Ne)

Welcome, As many may know The Belleville Cubs were formed in 1978 by Chief Downing an avid time). Art is in an nursing home at this time race fan from . Within the original founders with plans to catch the races at Ft Wayne Ind and of the group were Denver’s Mike and Tom Davey, maybe sell more of his book, “Rookie Sprint Car KC’s Ray Cunningham, Texan Jerry Miller and Owner”. Many thanks to racing historian Ken Kansan Dick German. At nearly each Midget Paulson for his story on Belleville in 1947. Ken has Nationals since, the expanding group of diehard a new book out, a must read on the fans and racers have met in Belleville and Valley Association which you can get celebrated the annual event with BBQ’s and bench by calling Knoxville NSC museum at 641-842- racing. 6146. Four of the best passed on recently and thanks Coring Wilson once directed the club as did Jim to Ray Cunningham for the bios on BCRA original, Richardson of Wichita. Wayne Pinter of Lubbock Chuck Amati and the great Jr. now points the Cubs/Old-timers and along with Champion Gordon Woolley of Waco recently Chuck Amati engaged a most interesting project. No one could (Editors note) have said it any better than Woolley while Last month on November 18Th, Chuck Amati, addressing the Cub/Old-timers this past July on one of the best sprint car drivers of the past racing Icons, the Goodrich Family. Gordon century died at age 68 of a heart attack while made a recommendation to rename 12th street in driving in his native Illinois. A look back follows the Belleville as “Goodrich Memorial Drive” in career and times of one of the great outlaw sprint memory of Pop, Bob, Ray and Charles and a letter car drivers of his generation. of request to the Mayor of Belleville followed, with The sprint car club "" is the the help of Wayne Panter and Bill Thompson, most popular of all the sprint car organizations in which was recently approved with new signs to be the world. But at its core, it is a club, just like in place this Spring. FYI… 12th Street begins at the USAC, NCRA, or ASCS, among others, splendid High Banks Museum on highway 81 and with rules, points, and a set schedule. proceeds east to the Boyer Gallery, the Goodrich The origin of the name "Outlaw" when referring to Garage &Machine Shop and terminates at Rocky goes back before the "World of Pond. Outlaws" was formed in 1978. In a recent phone call to Jim Richardson we Drivers that included, , Bobby learned of Jim’s involvement with car owner Art Allen, and Rick Ferkel, were just some of the Peacock of Morris Illinois. Art gave a young Jay drivers that would race anywhere, anytime, across Woodside and the opportunity to America in the 1970's. These drivers and many drive his Sprinter in IMCA and USAC beginning in others, were the direct link to Ted Johnson’s the late 50’s with Jim as a pit crewman. Art put the brainchild to bring sprint car racings outlaw elite boys up in a local boarding house at a dollar a day under one banner. One of those drivers, Chuck when not on the road. Richardson recalled the time Table of Contents when the team started in Shreveport La and raced Welcome pg1 Chuck Amati Ray Cunningham pg1 their way to Toronto Canada with a stop at New Art Meyers BCRA 1st Pres Gary Wolfe pg3 Bremen and barely missed the show when Jay was Johnny Parson Jr Ray Cunningham pg4 not in the seat ready to go when the 1st alternate was Bumpus prt iv Gary Wolfe pg5 Doggett family Xmas Gary Wolfe pg7 called(Rutherford driving for Merl Heath at the Belleville 1947© Ken Paulson pg8 Farewell Foster Bob Campbell Gary Wolfe pg11 Chuck Mauro Gary Wolfe pg 11-12

Amati, AKA, "The One Arm Bandit", was one of During the next few years Chuck was a fearsome the best of the best, a colorful character, who was competitor everywhere he went. With a colorful charismatic both on and off the race track. personality and driving style, Amati was earning a Chuck Amati was born November 16Th, 1940 in reputation as one of the best supermodified drivers Freeman Spur, Illinois. He started his racing career in the south. In 1964 his status and toughness in 1959 at age 18 in a '49 Ford at Murfreesboro, would grow after a terrible wreck. At Milan, in 1964 Amati was involved in a wreck that that changed his racing career forever. Chuck went through the fence that nite coming in contact with a 2-by-6 timber that almost ripped his right arm off. The damage done by that wreck included ripping his bicep in two, damaging tendons, ligaments, and nerves. After the incident it looked as if the Illinois hot shoe would be out of commission for several months, if not years from driving a race car. Amati who earned a living from racing, was not going to let the accident curtail his racing activities. Within in two weeks after the incident Chuck was back behind the wheel. Amati had devised a leather harness that held his right arm in his lap while he raced with his left arm. The incident did not slow Amati down, as he kept winning everywhere he went. Fans and drivers alike Chuck Amati would talk about the "One-Armed Bandit" that Illinois. Amati would race off and on for all or part would come in and beat the locals. Amati from that of the next six decades, and wouldn't hang up his point on, would always be known by this nickname helmet for good until 2002 at age 62. even though he eventually would regain the use of During those early years the evolution of the short his right arm. track race car went from coupe, to supermodified, Through out the 1960's Amati continued to win and finally ended up with full blown sprint cars by racing for among others, Les Hill of Greenfield, the 1970's. Chuck raced through all these phases Tennessee. In the 1970's Chuck Amati teamed with winning races in several states including, , owner M.A. Brown in the Bruce Cogle Ford #44 Tennessee, , Mississippi in the early years sprinter. This combination raced and won all over of his career. During this period in the early 1960's, Amati went to Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas to challenge the local racing elite. Riverside, was the training ground for many of the greatest sprint car racers of the 1970's, 80's and 90's. Drivers that included, Ricky Hood, Sammy and Jeff Swindell, Bobby Davis Jr., and Terry Gray, started their careers at the West Memphis short track. In the early 1960's Clarence "Hooker" Hood was the greatest driver in the region. After meeting and racing against Hood at Riverside, Amati decided he wanted to follow in the foot steps of the Super Modified racing superstar. “One Armed Bandit” Chuck Amati at Speed in the Cogle Ford Sprinter, Columbus Indianna, early 70’s. (John Mahoney photo)

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the Midwest. In 1972 Amati raced for the States. The exact is not known, but championship in IMCA, finishing second to Ray estimates have the number anywhere from 600 to Lee Goodwin, while winning at Lincoln and 1,000 races. In a era that spawned sprint car racing City. Amati also raced with the BCRA outlaw champions that included Rick Ferkel, in Belleville in 1972, setting quick time at the Bobby Allen, and later Doug Wolfgang, Steve Memorial Day race Kinser, and . Chuck Amati, "The After leaving the race team in 1973, Amati moved One-Armed Bandit", was one of the very best to back to Freeman Spur, from Greenfield, Tennessee. strap on a helmet. The later part of the 1970's saw Amati team with Sam and Richard Short of Marion Illinois. This Art Meyers, First BCRA President combination won nearly 50 races in 1976, racing One significant influence in the founding of the across the nation. Teamed once again with the Short Big Car Racing Association has nearly slipped into brothers in 1977, they won over 30 races. obscurity after fifty years. The 1980's did not start start off well for Amati, Art Meyers was born in Watertown as he bounced from ride to ride, including his own in 1922 and later lived and went to school in car which he wiped out in a wreck at Eldora in Hutchinson . Arts Father was an Oakland 1984. That accident hurt Amati both physically and car dealer in the area and had Big Cars during the financially, curtailing his racing activities for two thirties. His Oakland powered cars were driven by years. several drivers in those days but most memorable In 1988 teamed with Daryl Tate, Amati returned were “Speed” Adams and Ray Heber.. to his hall of fame winning ways for the next three Young Art never forgot those exciting days of seasons. Racing at short tracks that included Auto racing in the Midwest. During WWII, he Paragon, Lincoln Park, and Bloomington in , served in the US Navy and upon discharge enrolled Amati won over 20 races each season. In 1989 and in the GI training program in Auto Mechanics. He 1990 Amati won the prestigious Indiana Sprint lived in for a time and was married in 1946 Weeks title. before moving to Denver Colorado. Here he worked After the 1990 season the team disbanded, and as a Mechanic and later in Sales. In 1951 he began Chuck raced part of the 1991 season for Harry working with Brad Bradford who drove Morris Bradham. After a ten year lay off Amati returned to Musicks Midget and would attend the Pikes Peak sprint car racing one last time for the 2001 and 2002 Hill Climb, as a spectator before hooking up with seasons racing part time for owners Guy Webb and Leonard Roy on his AAA Stock Car with driver Joe Gary Cravens. After not winning a race either year Giba. This was about the same time he met Orville Amati hung up his helmet for good after the 2002 Roth a AAA official and Art became a AAA season. Steward and worked the 54’ AAA Stock Car Race at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo.. Roy had also put together an all Rookie team for the Indy 500 with Danny Morgan as mechanic, Ron Duman as driver and Art as the “Stooge”, as he puts it. He also flagged Midget races on ocassion and through Roth became acquainted with Clay Smith the Mechanic on Agajainian’s Big Car and Art “Stooged for Smith at the AAA races held at Denvers one mile Centennial track in 54’ and 55’. And it was in 1957 that the BCRA ‘s first meeting was held at the Hill Climb and later Leonard Roy’s Santa Anita Lounge. Art was on the ground floor organization of the new club and was elected Chuck Amati, one of the last true great outlaws of President with Bill Myton secretary and Glen sprint car racing won races all over the United Majors treasurer.

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In 1958 it was Art, Don Budy and Carl Mishmash later married Sr. one of the greatest sprint who set up the races at Pueblo, Canon City and car drivers of the 1950's. Johnny's half brother Duane Arapahoe County Fairgrounds giving the club a "Pancho" Carter won the USAC sprint car, midget, and great start. championship dirt car championships in In 1959 Art was hired by USAC and left Colorado and the BCRA for Arizona. He has lived in Glendale Arizona since that time. With USAC, Art served as the Safety Director, Chief Observer, Chief Steward and even promoted the 1975 Champ car race at Phoenix. He even represented USAC and the ACCUS-FIA( Auto Competition Committee of the United States) for over 30 years, was for a time C0-Steward of the SCCA ranks and was Chief Observer at the Salt Flats for 5 weeks when an English Air Force Pilot named Andy Green, Broke the Sound Barrier and set a Worlds Record of 763.035 mph. Art Meyers spent 52 Years at Indy and was Senior Pit Steward for 25 years while Officiating in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, England and Japan.

His list of Commendations and Awards include the Johnny Parsons, Terre Haute, Dave Hodson Sprinter,1978 USAC National Speedsport Achievement Award, USAC (Gene Crucean Photo) Certificate of Performance, The Renner Express his incredible racing career. With racing being so Chief Steward Safety Award, Forsythe Racing for prominent in both his father and stepfathers lives Outstanding Dedication, The Eddie Edenburn you would think that Parsons would have been a Award and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb assn racer from the start, but he wasn't. Johnny first Certificate of Appreciation. raced in 1964 at age 20, in 1968 after dabbling in Art was a busy guy over the past five decades and racing for a few years Johnny had become a police all this was done while running his business as a officer in Los Angeles, . A career in law New Car Dealer in Glendale Arizona. enforcement looked to be Johnny's calling, fortunately for open wheel fans that summer Johnny Parsons Jr Parsons came back to the Midwest to race. Johnny A racing career can be measured in many ways, wins, racing in the USAC Sprint Car division, finished championships, versatility, longevity, to name a few. second place twice convincing the young driver to Some drivers defy the most basic concept that defines drop law enforcement in favor of racing. In 1969 when their career ends, age. Parsons made his first start in the championship But on occasion a racer comes along whose career car division at Sacramento, California. Johnny, spans not one generation, but several. A career that driving a solid race finished 7Th place in his dirt car involves competing against and beating drivers that to winner Sr. That race would be his first have defined open wheel racing for over forty years. A of 151 career starts in the driver that raced against entire families, fathers and sons and beat them. A driver who raced against drivers that championship dirt cars, his last came August 31st included A.J. Foyt and the modern version of him, Tony of this year, at DuQuoin, Illinois, in the Stewart, beating them both. Johnny Parsons racing Memorial. In between, Parsons has been involved career started in 1964, and just ended a few months ago in many of the greatest open wheel races of the last with his last race at age 64. Johnny born in 1944 to four decades. parents Johnnie and Arza Parsons, seemed to be born to In the dirt cars he was the last driver still racing race. His father Johnnie won the 1950 " that was involved in the very first year the dirt cars 500" and was a standout driver on both dirt and became a series in 1971, after the split with the pavement. His Mother who divorced his father in 1947, rear engined cars. In 1976 and 1989 Parsons

4 finished 2ND place in the final dirt car standings. In division. Teamed with long time owner Ricky Nix 1991 at age 46 Parsons found victory lane for the and mechanic Chuck Kidwell, (former 2ND place first time in the division at IRP during a live finisher in BCRA points in 1968). This race team broadcast on ESPN's Thunder series driving for of AARP members often put on some of the best Eugene Nolan. runs of the season, as Parsons always the rim rider, Like a fine wine, Johnny was just getting started in would put on a show at DuQuoin for the local fans. the dirt car division as he won in 1992 at DuQuoin On August 31st, Parsons put on his helmet for the and again in 1995 at age 51. Johnny was also a fine last time at DuQuoin. With him for his last race was sprint car racer, starting 236 USAC Sprint Car his mother Arza, unfortunately after 7 laps his race races, while winning 5 times. In the Indy Car ranks and career were over, but what a career it was for like his father, stepfather, and brother, he was this former Los Angeles Police officer, who always competitive. In twelve starts from 1974 to changed his career path forty years ago this 1996, Parsons raced twelve times in the Memorial Summer. Day Classic, finishing a career best 5Th in 1977 to winner A.J. Foyt and 1985 to winner Danny Bumpy Bumpus ……..part IV Sullivan. Just like his father before him, Johnny was The race at Dover in October of a standout midget driver as well. In the midget 1945 marked a first for the Eastern Big Cars on the ranks of USAC, Johnny won 30 features, his first new one mile track at the Granite Park State coming in 1970 at San Jose, California racing for Speedway and another great season for the Brocton Leonard Faas. Parsons raced in 338 races in USAC Bullet. Bump would win two events with Dover Midget competition, finishing a career best second driver Sicky Folger winning the Main. in points in 1977,driving for Bob Lockard. The 1946 season began with Bump winning every event entered at Keene N.H. A large crowd was on hand to witness the events which involved the hottest drivers and their cars which included the Mori HAL, the Stone Riley and the Taggart HAL. Earl Horn shattered all the Eastern Sprint records with his one lap time of 27.4 . On Memorial Day Bump returned to Altamont but the races were held at the Capital Districts “Dust Bowl”, much to the

It was in the big money midget races were Johnny really shined. Parsons was a winner in the Copper disappointment of fans, and drivers. The dry dusty World Classic, Belleville Midget Nationals, Four conditions made for an extremely dangerous Crown Nationals, and the 1982 Southwest afternoon for the competitors running full tilt into Independent Midget Series championship. the ever present thick cloud of dirt. Bumpus, driving For the last few years Johnny has only raced on the his McDowell powered Sprinter, once chauffeured mile dirt tracks in the championship dirt car by Frank Beeder and , won the Main event and, as a racers dream came true, was offered

5 a ride in the Peter’s Offy in the Memorial Day classic at the next Indiannapolis 500.

Tony Willman one of the greatest of all time odds, surprised the racing world and left an Dizzy Vance(L) driving for Louie Seymour and Bumpus indelible impression on the racing world with his Thompson Conn reputation as a smooth and consistent driver and his nd On June 2 the drivers were back at Thompson sportsmanship. Bump had all the character of a Conn with Bump and his crew, Sidney Hubble, champion as just three years after taking the seat he Warren Bumpus and Johnny Lynch, finishing well won the Eastern Sprint title, he survived many before moving on to the Sam Nunis Flemigton Fair wrecks including one where Spider Web pummeled date at the Flemington fast ½ mile. The roster was the who’s who of the Eastern Sprint ranks in and Tommie Hinnershitz of Reading Pa, Ted Horn out of Patterson NJ, of Bridgeport Conn and Lee Wallard racing out of Schenectedy NY. Before the race Fred Peters came over and told Bump he had received a shipment that morning by rail and he wanted Bump to accompany him to the rail head after the race. The track was fast that day as Chitwood won the first qualifying heat with a time of 4:45:12. But the side of bumps car sending him thru the pits disaster struck on the final qualifying heat of the end over end and yet he returned to the track and day as Bumpus was coming out of turn three when won the next four complete race programs he hit by another car with the impact sending him over entered and the 1941 Eastern Sprint Championship the tail of race leader Frank Bailey. The Bagley . Many in the racing world had fortold of Bump Mcdowell was then catapulted skyward flipping becoming one of the top drivers in the country twice with the trajectory taking Bumpy over the before long, one had offered Bump an fence before landing in the trees where two young and Fred Peters of Reading Pa had ordered a new spectators sat aloft in horror at the terrific crash. car for Chitwood to drive and the existing Peters Bumpus was taken to the Sommerset Hospital Offy was Bumps new ride for the 47’ AAA season. where he was pronounced dead from severe head Ironically it was Chitwoods car that had arrived and neck injuries. at the railhead the morning Bump was killed. The “Brockton Bullets” career came to a tragic but Winners for that day at Flemington were Ted Horn all to common end in those days. Bump had Joie Chitwood, Bill Holland, Lee Wallard and climbed into the cockpit without considering the Tommie Hinnershitz. At the time Bump was ranked 15th in the AAA National Drivers Point Standings. 14 year old Gordon was hit hard by Bump’s death but remained in racing throughout his lifetime. It was on June 16 1964 that Gordons son, you guessed it, Howard was born. “It was

6 predictable that he would be a race driver”, and We recently received the Curly and Erma Doggett that he was. A top athlete in the Hockey ranks family Christmas letter. The couple still lives in Howie worked as a crewman for Lee Smith a Anchorage Alaska and are retired from their three time NEMA(North East Midget Assoc) trucking business. Midget Champion and began racing Midgets in A Doggett without a truck is uncommon and both Jack 1988 in the East and became a top driver with and Mike are truckers. It has been said that there are few NEMA. if any that have ran the road from Anchorage to Prudhoe As Gordon reminisced he mentioned the Bay more than Curly’s son Jack. This was the same striking similarity of Howie with Bump in his treacherous route Curly ran for years hauling supplies for the Alaskan pipeline during its construction and mannerisms, the way he drove and attitude operation. toward the sport, others voiced the same observations over the years.. Howie became most proficient at setting up Midgets and like his Uncle made a dramatic impact on the Eastern racing. A clean driver and tenacious, he quickly became a force to reckoned with. Young Bumpus is still involved with the Midgets with a recent request to help set up a car for a friend that had never made a Feature. After nearly rebuilding the car it qualified for the Feature first time out and with a rookie driver. The owner requested Howie to come and drive the rest of the season but with work and his sons he offered to drive if he was needed and available. Curly and Erma Doggett of Anchorage Alaska Howie’s time is dedicated to his two sons who are The family continues to grow and celebrated two now playing Hockey and accompany dad and weddings this Summer and the birth of Elliot, their first Grandpa to every race they attend. Sean the oldest Great Grandchild on July 28th in Kansas City with son has a four wheeler and a makeshift track where the Rex. birm grows with each day of practice. The couple stays pretty close to home these days where Howie, just as Uncle Bumpy, climbed into the Erma still volunteers at the Church and gives piano cockpit without considering the odds, surprised the lessons while Curly tends to the household “Honey- racing world and made an indelible impression on Do’s”. All our best to Curly and Erma for a great Happy the open-wheel racing history New Year Years after Bumps death Gordon was sitting in a café in Pa when two young gentlemen came up and asked him if he Gordon Bumpus? Upon confirmation the following conversation revealed that these were the two lads that had been sitting in the tree at Flemigton that day watching the races when Bump was forced from the track and almost lit in their laps. As George E. Shelley recounted the event he left the reader with, “Good luck on the Golden Speedway “Bumpy”, where there is a checkered flag for every driver”

What ever happened to? Is a question we hear often as we talk with BCRA members around the country. One recent inquiry was in reference to Curley Doggett and the maroon Porky Rokowitz(Ill) outside and Ardelle Young #9, Kurtis….. Belleville Ks, 1959

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get to the Ord and Belleville shows and return. Other The 1947 North Central Kansas Free Fair states represented were , California, Indiana, By Ken Paulsen and Oklahoma. After WWII auto racing could once again take center stage around the country. Promoters were willing to commit the big bucks to entice drivers and car owners to their shows knowing that an eager flood of fans would pass through the turn style on race day. That commitment was even easier if the race was held in conjunction with an annual fair. Such was the case in 1947 for the North Central Kansas Free Fair in Belleville. Cecil Munger the Big Cars for two shows on Thursday August 27th and Friday August 28th putting up $3600 as incentive, b but that was only half the story. In an obvious example of promoter coordination, Clyde Baker hosted the Big Cars the previous two days just 200 miles up the road at Ord, . With $3000 guaranteed at Ord, drivers could race the weekends at their regular events then hustle to the Great Plains for what held the promise of a lucrative week of racing. Ads placed in National Speed Sport News paid off. A review of the 35 preregistered drivers listed in the NCK fair program shows only a handful of local drivers. Twenty drivers on the list were from Illinois and with at least fifteen of them being members of the Front cover of 1947 program (Courtesy of Roger Taylor) Mississippi Valley Auto Racing Assoc(MVARA). This Additional cars showed up on race day. Al Ketter, organization was only in its second year of the 1946 driver Champion, blistered the track in the existence. With a Sunday(August 24th)race at Macomb Illinois and a Labor Day(September 1st)event at Aledo famous “Flying Orchid V-8” with a time trial mark Illinois on its schedule, there was just enough time to of 25.15. It wasn’t good enough though as another entry, C. Scarball out of Michigan clicked off a 25.14 lap. Only twenty cars timed in indicating that perhaps the prior two days of racing at Ord depleted the available contestants. A look at the times shows most cars under the thirty second mark which says there were not many “field fillers” in the group. One of the slowest times was by first year driver/owner/mechanic Roy Blinstrup at 32.40. He did learn from his experience though eventually becoming the MVARA champion in 1953.

National Speed Sport News 8/6/47 Al Ketter in the Flying Orchid.(Larry Sullivan/Joe Hiesler collection)

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of the 20 scheduled. In the ten car feature Scarball once again took top honors over Magee, Wayne Wynn and Al Ketter.

Vern Bradley piloted his own “Brad’s Rocker Arm” at Belleville.( The “Miss Allis” driven by Charlie Irons. Car was powered by a Patrick Kirby collection) Allis Chalmers tractor engine. (Jeff Adams collection) Conditions were better the second day when Scarball Absent from the list of entrants were Offenhauser again set fast time of 23.59 followed by Wynn at 23.85. powered vehicles. Rules in place limited stock block The track record of 23.08 was set in 1935 by Sam makes with overhead conversions allowed. It made for a Hoffman. Scarball again won his heat and the Feature more competitive field. for a very profitable week in Middle America. After time trials, the 6300 fans were treated to seven events as follows. Trophy Dash 3 laps $40.00 Heat Race 1 10 laps $190.00 Heat Race 2 10 laps $160.00 Heat Race 3 10 laps $135.00 Pursuit 10 laps $135.00 Consolation 8 laps $130.00 Feature 20 laps $700.00 A familiar Belleville proprietor placed this ad in the program guide.

Red Bales traveled all the way from Ohio.(Roy Blinstrup Collection)

Scarball beat Al Ketter in the Dash with a time of Al Sherman in the famed “Jewell Box”, Wayne Hoffman 1:18 and also topped him in the first heat that saw #3,and Two time BCRA Champ Jack Hahn at Colorado State the six fastest timers compete. Track conditions Fair, Pueblo 1958. may have deteriorated as the number of laps was cut in the last four races with the feature going only 12

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Drivers list and times for Thursday’s race

Drivers list and times for Fridays race

Drivers list and times for Friday’s race

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Farewell to Foster Bob Campbell decades in the Rocky Mountain area. Foss Campbell, Four Time Rocky Mountain Midget Roger was a multiple RMMRA car Owner Champion Racing Association (RMMRA) Champion passed away and President, and Johnny was a Indy 500 competitor unexpectedly on Dec 27 2008. He began his career (47’ to52’) road racer and first inductee into the “Stooging” in the Midget ranks in 1947 and would Colorado Hall of Fame in 1978. Chuck won eventually win four consecutive RMMRA Driving the 1963 BCRA Sprint Car Championship with Midget Championships from 1956 through 1959. For a time great Eddie Jackson at the wheel, won 2 RMMRA Foss would Chauffeur one of the few Offy Roadsters on features as Owner, plus USAC and other events with the USAC while perhaps becoming best known for his luminary drivers including , Larry Patton, expertise on tuning, and later restoring, Offenhauser Kevin Olson, Robby Flock, Dave Stickland Jr and Dave engines. Strickland Sr, Jackson, and Jim Beckley. There were many noteworthy accomplishments by this Chuck Mauro has built, owned and maintained some of Icon of Colorado Motorsports, “ who always seemed to the most successful open wheel, Midget, Sprint and “Big have the time to help a fellow competitor, especially the Cars” of the ‘50’s-‘90’s. Many of these cars were piloted new guys”, during his six decade career . Foss was also by some of the nation’s top drivers . credited with: Beginning in 1936 Chuck built his first race car, a 1929 Top 10 RMMRA Points ( 9 times ) 1949, 1951, 1956, Ford Model A that he purchased 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960,1962, 1964. Driving Sprints, Champ Cars and Midgets Foss garnered 4 RMMRA Championships in 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959 and won a total of 66 Feature events. Mechanic of the year awards, Champion mechanic as a driver, 1956, 1957, 1958,1959. Championship mechanic for: Harry Conklin, Jim LaManna driver, 1966 Harry Conklin, Sam Sauer driver, 1971, 1972 Roger Mauro, Steve Troxell driver, 1973 Roger Mauro, Dave Strickland Sr. driver Harry Conklin, Sam Sauer 1970 Mauro’s first car in 1936, crowned “Champion of Nebraska and Colorado” Roger Mauro, Dave Strickland Sr. 1974-1975 Other racing career highlights: Special Awards From Pioneer Auto Wrecking in downtown Denver for Lifetime member RMMRA 1967 # 8 $12.50. He soon took to the tracks in the area in the #17 Belleville High Banks Hall of Fame inducted in 2004. roadster with Mauro’s first outing at Derby, CO where Colo. Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. he won the main event and $25.00! Through his rookie National Midget Hall of Fame 2006. season Chuck had good success including a win over the Foss Campbell wrenched cars won ten championships Nebraska Roadster champ and was crowned the and over 400 feature events in the US , New Zealand and “Champion of Nebraska and Colorado”. Australia. Foster Bob’s drivers not previously In 1944 Chuck bought his first sprint car, powered mentioned include Jan Opperman, Johnny Parsons Jr, by a “Cragar”, from Pop Myers and by 1945, the car was Sammy Swindell, Doug Wolfgang, Jimmy Malloy, Billy ready to hit the tracks as Chuck raced in Pueblo, CO and Puterbaugh, Bob Tatterstall, , Billy at tracks in and Nebraska. Vukovich Jr, Larry Rice, Jimmy Caruthers and Chuck Arnold. Besides being a four time RMMRA Champ and Master Mechanic , Foster was an accomplished pilot and Champion Golden Gloves Boxer. (Additional Stats provided by Gary Martelon, RMMRA Historian)

Chuck Mauro Chuck Mauro, long time BCRA and RMMRA competitor and Car owner passed away on Tue, Dec 30. Chuck was the last of the Racing Mauros (six brothers, one sister) of Denver. Johnny, Lou, Fred, Roger and Ralph engaged the Auto Racing and Auto Sales for Mauro Cragar in 1944, bought from Pop Myer

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It wasn’t long before Mauro followed suit with older From the 50’s thru the 90’s Chuck built and owned brother Johnny and assaulted the Pikes Peak Hill top Sprint Cars and Midgets which were chauffeured by Climb(48’ and 49’) with Jimmy Good as his driver. Jimmy LaManna, Jim Beckley, Ed Jackson, Larry Rice, Jimmy was a standout in the Colorado Midget ranks and Mike Bish, Dana Carter, Jeff Haywood, Buz Tapply, at his first run at the Peak upset the Mauro Cragar in the Dave Strickland ( Sr. ), Ted Foltz, Kevin Olsen, Stan ditch along the way. It would not be the last run for Fox, Earl Kouba, Jimmy Good and Gene Pastor. Jimmy or Chuck. In 93’ Mauro built a Midget and sold it to Ryan Newman who proceeded to win a Michigan State Midget Championship on his way to NASCAR. Of late Chuck has engaged the restoration of several Midgets previously part of the Mauro stables of thoroughbreds. The ‘Esmerelda’ chassis has been powder coated, the engine is built and the body painted that famous “Mauro white”. The traditional spun gold leaf #5 outlined in red, along with the names of his brothers,“In Memory Of” Johnny, Lou, Fred, Ralph and Roger are all there, listed as they were applied by long time Denver sign painter and race car driver, Pete Brandenburg. Sad as it is, it is time to add one final Mauro name to the epitaph. God Chuck with the Mauro Bros Racing Midget”Esmerelda”, 2006. Speed Chuck.

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