Doug 500

Randy, In the picture above is from 1962 Texas Championships in San Antonio, the first picture is of David Watkins from Garland, the second is Ellis Clark from Dallas, the third is Mike Kidd from Dallas, not sure of the driver in the foreground of the forth picture, but the background driver is Bill Palm from San Antonio. Mike Kidd went on to become a champion motorcycle racer. The B Mod race from the Garland Nationals is one of those that I will always remember. After running on the outside of the second place car for half of the race, I finally passed the car and began to gain on Sleepy, but the chain broke and I was out of the race. Doug...

Dan, Welcome to the Lone Star Speedzone. When I raced in the early 60's, we often raced 2 Pacemakers. I helped set-up many other race cars locally, Walborg, Curtis, Viper, Rice ect. But none seemed to feel and handle as well as the Pacemaker. My dad was also a tinkerer. He was always looking for ways to improve the Pacemaker or to make a faster engine. He lowered both Pacemakers in the rear so, they were about 1/4 - 1/2" off of the ground. One car was shortened to the minimum length allowed. That car was fast, we were the top qualifier many times with that car. At the Garland Nationals, our modified stock Pacemaker was turning times as fast as some the AA's. Thanks to your dad, Randy and myself were able to enjoy some of the most memorable times of our childhood. Doug... p.s. I love your dad's new Pacemaker.

Randy, I'm sorry that I don't remember this event. The only person that I recognize is, my sister Barbara giving the trophy to Rod. Kind of funny how we use to cringe when we received a trophy from the the trophy queen.

Kyle, I agree with Randy, Awesome! Welcome to the Zone. I like the carb air cleaner and the push lawn mower at the upper right of the picture. We had one of those too. Thanks for sharing. Doug...

Randy, That is a really great find. The car is in such great condition for its age. I know that Sandra is smiling. Now, if we could only find a way to bring it back home to Texas. Doug...

Randy, Back in July, we posted about the Quarter Midget Museum Project that you wanted to start. I know that we all have our personal lives to live and our work consumes about 1/3 of that time. So, I will try to help you to get the ball going. We need to come up with a name of the project. Texas Quarter Midget Museum, National Quarter Midget Museum, what ever you think. I will will write up the articles of incorporation and submit them to make the organization a 501c3. I will donate to the organization all of the Quarter Midget memorabilia that I have. All of the news clippings, all of the trophies, my helmet, jacket, gloves, everything. I don't have any of my old quarter midgets, but I will actively peruse old 50 and 60's racers that I know to do the same. If we decide to make it a national thing, it can be like the National Corvette Museum. I would rather have everything that I have to be shared with all those interested in Quarter Midgets, than lost in a hurricane, flood or just sitting in some barn somewhere. Let me know what you think. Doug...

Randy, I agree with Nick. As we all get older, it is important that we all try and preserve the early years of Quarter Midget Racing. Racing quarter midgets in Texas produced many great racers like yourself, Coggie, Debbie, Sandra, Larry, Denny, Rod Green, Mike Kidd, David Watkins, Linda Hice, Mike Ferrish, Ellis Clark, Danny Woods, Pamela, Bill and Cindy Palm, Dale and Kenneth Bragg. This is only a small list of the drivers that I looked up to and respected racing against both locally and regionally. I know that LSS is mostly a regional deal, but it is really interesting to read the posts from all of the quarter midget racers nationally. Thanks Nick, for having the foresight in giving Randy the medium to bring back those precious memories of our child hood. Thank you Randy, for giving us the opportunity to share those memoies. Doug McBride..

Randy, How is the museum project turning out? If I can help in any way please let me know. I think that your efforts to preserve Texas Quarter Midget Racing history is not only beneficial to those of us that participated in the past, but to those that are doing what we really enjoyed doing today. Doug McBride...

Randy, I also missed Sandra at our reunion. As far as loosing to a girl, I never looked at it that way. I raced against Pam & Cindy Palm, Beverly Dowda, and Susan Joseph here in San Antonio. Linda Hice from Dallas and Sandra from there in Houston. I never saw them more than a great competitor. To be the best, you need to beat the the best, and these ladies were definitely great competitors. I won some and I lost some, but we all were great friends. I would like to thank Tom Taylor for being the great racing historian that he is and for being a friend of my family. Doug McBride...

Kenny, Thanks for sharing your collection with us. I haven't seen so many old parts and engines since I was, well, a long time ago. Thanks for having the foresight in preserving the past. Thanks for your input in the history of our Sport. Doug...

Kenny, Thanks again, for sharing your collection of beautiful cars with us. The Quarter Midgets are a great rememberence of my early years. The Corvette's, are the great times that I'm experiencing now. Thanks again, Doug...

Kenny, Welcome to this Forum. I too, love the 14 car. Reminds me of my idol AJ Foyt. Would also like to see pictures of the Vette in the picture. Thanks, Doug McBride...

Phil, I'm glad that you have found this site. I have many memories of the great drivers, as yourself, from the Dallas area. We just attended a reunion of some of great racers from the Houston area and we had an awesome time. I'm glad that you and Larry from Houston were able to continue your racing experience from the QM days. Randy and his wife Molly, have done a fantastic job in preserving the Texas history of QM racing from the 50's and 60's. I have given Randy all of the things that I had, so that they could be posted here. If you have anything to add to this site PLEASE contact Randy, Midget 85, he will help you in any way that he can. I look forward to meeting up with you soon. I'm Thankful for all of the friendships lost and then found on this website. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Doug...

Randy, I wanted to thank you, and Molly for preserving the history of our youth. Frances and I want to thank you for including us in your reunion. We, as did the others, had a great time, and we look forward to the next one. I'm sorry Sandra wasn't able to attend; we all hope she has a speedy recovery. I felt honored to be in the presence of such great competitors, and such dear friends. Now, if Larry would only share the mixture of that steak sauce. Thanks, Doug McBride...

Randy, I hope you and Molly are ok. If there is anything that I can do to help, we are here for you all. We have family still there in Houston, and we will keep all of you in our prayers. Doug...