5 Mile Point Heath Memorial.
If ever there was a show for a
historical racing enthusiast -
this was the one. Dad and I met
in the parking lot, soon we had
the S-33 and Teardrop cars
unloaded and on their way
behind the grandstand. Steve
Bronson was there with his
picture boards set up - Steve
always supports the Southern
Tier shows with his pictures and
they're a great look through
time at racing in this area. If the
car ran at 5MP or Shangri-La -
Steve probably has a picture of it
and can describe it for you as
well.
The usual suspects are on
hand.. one boy, who I'm sure we
saw plenty of last year (and has
grown substaintially...) asked if
he could get in the S33.. then if
he could drive it...uhhh yes and
uuhhhh no. As the temperature
cooled, more and more former
drivers appeared. After Dad and
I had our Speedway Steak - (a
word to the wise - make sure
you order the 'non-exploding
speedway steak and go light on
the mustard.. unless of course
you like walking around looking
like you 'almost' made it to the
mens room...) I ran into Don
Diffendorf and Joe Buchek at
the front gate. Upstairs to see
Andy Harpell and what he
wanted from us this evening, I
ran into George Watson and
Stub Stevens - George wants a
car and Stub's found me some
flathead parts (which are very
nice by the way and thankyou
Stub). Down by the cars I get to
blabber with Carl Nagel and Mel
Harpell, as well as meet Cal
Arthur, former Penn Can
announcer.
The racing is good and tight, as
well as the show and they're
running them off rapid fire until
the main event where the show
pauses for introduction of all the
drivers in attendance. It's
overwhelming as there's over 40
this year - a real good showing.
Only wish I could say the same
for our club but only Dad and I
made it. Andy asked "is this it?"
and I sheepishly nodded. "Well,
thank you two guys for making
it." Many thanks to you Andy for
having us, we wouldn't miss it.
Naming names: Stubby Stevens,
George Watson, Joe Buchek,
Don Diffendorf, Robin Oltz,
Grant Buck, Carl Nagel, Mel
Harpell, Cal Arthur, Leon
Andrus, Andy and Dan Harpell,
Bob McGeorge, Bob Payne
(along with his son's who were
proudly displaying his 1957
Spring championship trophy..)
Hal Karcher, Joe Donahue Jr.
Stewart Friesen, Mike Colsten,
Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp,
Dave Rumsey, Chuck Akulis,
Jim Gabriel, Carzy Eddie
Rafferty, Jerry Whitmarsh,
Loren Holland and a host of
others that I missed. It was like
old home week and a very nice
applause for all of these former
(as well as some current)
competitors was received from
the crowd. Afterward Andy said
"take 'em for a few laps" and we
jumped in - I coaxed Joe
Donahue Jr. to get in.... and by
the third turn he said "OK,
that's fast enough...." - I know
the feeling, it's much different
when you're in the drivers seat.
Not to worry Joe, you're reaction
still pales in comparison to my
buddy Hilimires - who cried like
a little girl trying to get out of
the car (and I was only in 2nd
gear...)
Great night, on the trailer in one
piece again. Thanks again to
Andy Harpell and everyone at 5
Mile Point for a great time.
If ever there was a show for a
historical racing enthusiast -
this was the one. Dad and I met
in the parking lot, soon we had
the S-33 and Teardrop cars
unloaded and on their way
behind the grandstand. Steve
Bronson was there with his
picture boards set up - Steve
always supports the Southern
Tier shows with his pictures and
they're a great look through
time at racing in this area. If the
car ran at 5MP or Shangri-La -
Steve probably has a picture of it
and can describe it for you as
well.
The usual suspects are on
hand.. one boy, who I'm sure we
saw plenty of last year (and has
grown substaintially...) asked if
he could get in the S33.. then if
he could drive it...uhhh yes and
uuhhhh no. As the temperature
cooled, more and more former
drivers appeared. After Dad and
I had our Speedway Steak - (a
word to the wise - make sure
you order the 'non-exploding
speedway steak and go light on
the mustard.. unless of course
you like walking around looking
like you 'almost' made it to the
mens room...) I ran into Don
Diffendorf and Joe Buchek at
the front gate. Upstairs to see
Andy Harpell and what he
wanted from us this evening, I
ran into George Watson and
Stub Stevens - George wants a
car and Stub's found me some
flathead parts (which are very
nice by the way and thankyou
Stub). Down by the cars I get to
blabber with Carl Nagel and Mel
Harpell, as well as meet Cal
Arthur, former Penn Can
announcer.
The racing is good and tight, as
well as the show and they're
running them off rapid fire until
the main event where the show
pauses for introduction of all the
drivers in attendance. It's
overwhelming as there's over 40
this year - a real good showing.
Only wish I could say the same
for our club but only Dad and I
made it. Andy asked "is this it?"
and I sheepishly nodded. "Well,
thank you two guys for making
it." Many thanks to you Andy for
having us, we wouldn't miss it.
Naming names: Stubby Stevens,
George Watson, Joe Buchek,
Don Diffendorf, Robin Oltz,
Grant Buck, Carl Nagel, Mel
Harpell, Cal Arthur, Leon
Andrus, Andy and Dan Harpell,
Bob McGeorge, Bob Payne
(along with his son's who were
proudly displaying his 1957
Spring championship trophy..)
Hal Karcher, Joe Donahue Jr.
Stewart Friesen, Mike Colsten,
Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp,
Dave Rumsey, Chuck Akulis,
Jim Gabriel, Carzy Eddie
Rafferty, Jerry Whitmarsh,
Loren Holland and a host of
others that I missed. It was like
old home week and a very nice
applause for all of these former
(as well as some current)
competitors was received from
the crowd. Afterward Andy said
"take 'em for a few laps" and we
jumped in - I coaxed Joe
Donahue Jr. to get in.... and by
the third turn he said "OK,
that's fast enough...." - I know
the feeling, it's much different
when you're in the drivers seat.
Not to worry Joe, you're reaction
still pales in comparison to my
buddy Hilimires - who cried like
a little girl trying to get out of
the car (and I was only in 2nd
gear...)
Great night, on the trailer in one
piece again. Thanks again to
Andy Harpell and everyone at 5
Mile Point for a great time.
