Midget 85

Joe Plowman 1965-67 AKA "Galveston Gambler" We would like to thank Barb for sending this photo of Joe. It's one we have not seen before and we are happy to post to the forum. The famous "White 1937 Chevy Modified" is perhaps one of the most favorites of mine that raced at Meyer Speedway. The White Body and White Wheels accented with Red numbers and Black centerd wheel hubs made this car really stand out on the track at night. It was simple and clean but most of all mean! I simply loved to watch this attractive, well engineered and thought out modified on the race track. The engine was also painted red to match the Red numbers painted on the side. Yes, it's true..an attractive paint scheme would always win the heart of the spectators along with a great driver! I only wish this car was still around to restore. It was awesome! The last year this Modified ran at Meyer Speedway was 1967.. If I recall correctly this Mod was built for the 65 season and ran approximately 3 years before the non coupe modifieds appeared in 1968 and began to phase out the legend coupes. Probably due to availability to find them any longer. There were many that made their last appearances on the circle tracks.. Joe's driving groove would find this modified coupe diving hard into the lower edge of the turns at hard throttle and then drifting up high on the banks near the guard rail where he would then hammer the 427 Ford power plant down the back stretch after setting up his launch! From the grandstands, it appeared the modified would drift or skate sideways up on the banking and then the roar from the acceleration and the music was awesome from that Big Block! Still see and hear the action of this popular driver and modified..what a site. Thanks for the spectacular shows ..JOE!

Regarding Post # 379 Hey guys.. I remember Ray driving an orange 56 Chevy at Meyerland and also getting upside down with a few Barrel Rolls on the front stretch in 1968. This is not the the guy I am trying to identify. The mystery driver I am referring to was name Ken something.. and I just need to find an old program from 67-68 to find his name among the Bronco drivers during his brief racing career.

Darrell, I think he was an out of town driver and I remember a photo shot taken of the midget up in the air and the drivers arms straight up in the air as the photo was taken, Way before hand restraints or cages were even introduced. Must have been a horrible experience as expressed on the drivers face in the photo taken...

Does anyone recall the Midget Race ay Meyer Speedway one Saturday night when the Midget went end over end going into turn one? Can't remember the driver involved but, it was an awful mishap and sometime in 1961. Car landed upside down after several end over ends..and the race was stopped.

Nick, We knew it would happen and our thanks to everyone for getting it done.. The photos are back and we appreciate all the hard work! -Randy

Continental Engine in Rare Form.. Mounted in a Wahlborg Midget

Quarter Midgets of Yesterday.. The photos below reflect Bob Hamilton in the days of racing and then later his car restored by family members to his honor. The original wheels were silver in color. The car is a Luther Daytona "Viper" midget..

To Everyone Concerned I am attempting to repost and add additional photos to this thread as time permits. It will take some time to extract some of the photos that were lost during the forum changeover so, please bare with me as we try to bring back the many photos that were lost. Stay tuned and we will have film at eleven .. I think?? Thanks for everyone's patience. -Randy

Jim, I was thinking it was turn three also but Larry is probably right on this photo as being turn one. There were several out of the Ball Park mishaps at Meyer Speedway with Charlie Schild in 61-62 in turn three the first I recall. It was Charlie and I think either Ronnie or Smitty that made that one happen. I did have a photo posted somewhere and will try to get it posted again on the thread. It will take a little time to get the photos back up and edited since we lost many of them in the forum transfer. Almost makes you cry to see these old war monsters torn up doesn't it? That was a fast track! -Randy

It's all original with matching numbers but.. I did add a little bump stick to the engine just to hear her thumpity thump some and other than leaving the reflective stripes off for now, ( never was much on the reflector stripes ) they can always be added on. Clean and mean is the way I like it..

Jim, Pretty long story behind the Mach 1. I graduated in 69 and before graduation the new styled Mustangs were out. Dad being a Ford man and race car fanatic spotted this Mustang on the lot so, he actually picked it out and paid $500 down on the car and said if you wanna keep it, you pay the balance. He chose the only Blue one on the lot in reference to my Quarter Midgets being blue. I remember him saying it reminded him somewhat of Walter Ballard's Modified. I really think he bought it because he wanted it and non the less he put the first miles on it. The car was $3558.00 drive out and came with a 351 and 4 speed. The Magnum 500's were later added. It originally came with the 14" Torino wheels which just didn't look right to me. It has a long history and a lot of great moments that it has kept secret. It under went a full scale rotisserie starting in 2003 and was complete after 2 hard long years and much bucks! The car was actually restored in honor of my dad and mom who helped me get a start in life and taught me the value of paying for a new car myself. He passed away in 1992 and the car set silent for many years awaiting attention. Finally, I just bit the nail and started bringing her back to life. Oh yeah, I would have chosen a Boss but trying to pay for this one was about all I could handle at the time and so it has a lot of sentimental value. Believe it or not, you could have purchased a Boss 429 fully loaded for about $5500 in 1969. They are going as high as $250,000 today! It is a sentimantal car and being in the family for so long it was worth keeping. It's worth about $45,000 to $55,000 on average and I wouldn't think of selling it for that today. Didn't mean to get off on classic cars on this thread but, many wanted to know my interest today. There are a lot of old Meyer Speedway Gear Heads who attend my shows and have gone to street rods as we mellow out some Thanks for asking, Jim

From Quarter Midgets to Street Rods I've had several emails asking about my hobbies as of today. I have always loved race cars, midgets, street rods even motorcycles. Here is a photo of my recent restoration of the 69' Ford Mach 1 Mustang I restored back in 2005. It was purchased March 3, 1969 at Mort Hall Ford on Jensen Drive when I was 18. I am the only owner of this car and thought a full blown restoration was in order, and to once again enjoy the youth of my life. Since most of my Quarter Midgets were Blue, it was no wonder to buy a Blue Mach 1.

A west coast driver proudly displays his win with his midget

Quarter Midget Indy Style This is truly a unigue 1/4 Midget reflecting the looks and feel of a classic Indy Roadster. A Side Winder Midget and the engine was actually mounted on the side This would be a great restoration project!

An old add for a Luther Daytona Viper Quarter Midget

Vintage 1/4 Midgets across the country I found a few more photos of vintage 1/4 Midgets from different parts of the country. These photos reflect the many styles and variations of the builders imagination. Quarter Midget racing was just plain fun. Perhaps it was our age when we didn't have to worry about anything but winning!

Joe, Thanks for your visit and feel free to share your memories with all of us. We enjoy the stories with all who were there.

It is very chilling to be there and feel the silence of the roaring engines, the Sousa Marches playing and "Tatar" on the speakers. Echos of V-8 engines turning the RPMs down the back stretch and sound waves from the open headers bouncing off the guard rails. It's like a big grave yard in some respects. A piece of history without any markings of history left. The feeling was sorta like the battle field of Gettysburg many years ago where history was made. The last time I was at Meyer Speedway, I made a video and the only action was the brisk wind blowing, a rusty chain link fence, and one faded checker board rectangular square at the spectator parking entrance from South Main. It's amazing the feeling you get there. I felt like a moth drawn to a flame, only to find no flame.. Those of us who were there will always remember the excitement of getting quickly to the ticket gate and hearing the engines roar as you stood in line. I couldn't get in fast enough, grab a program, and view the large 1/2 mile. Cars in the pit area were like ornaments to a Christmas tree and all was well..

You just wanna see if there is any asphalt left out there, Jim

Jim, I missed seeing the news. Did we ever find out for sure? Quite possibly the ghost of Billy Wade making a few hot laps..

Ed Hamblin I spoke with Ed Hamblin a few weeks before he passed back in the 90's as he was retired then. He was so thrilled that someone called him and shared a few memories about Meyer Speedway. The jest of his conversation and one that seemed to really make him proud was the fact that the LaBonte Brothers went on to bigger things but, knowing they raced at Meyer Speedway must have really made him proud. Many of the racers disliked Ed and for many I guess had good reasons. But in life there will always be someone who doesn't like you.. Ed Hamblin as a promotor probably did the best he could with what he had to work with. As a promoter and entertainer myself, I can see what challenges one can encounter.. RIP

Vintage Tags Some Quarter Midget Tracks required ID Tags to be put on the midgets as proof of Inspection Test and also to show as certified members of the club etc. Kenny sent us another photo reflecting some of these Vintage Tags that were attached to Quarter Midgets he has found in California. We are not sure what track these were affiliated with..

Jim, When your weight was only 55 to 60lbs and the midget at about 220lbs these little engines even in Modified Stock class could hurl you around the little ovals with you tongue licking your ear lobes! The Double AA Fuel cars you'd better have your belt on tight and a firm grip on the wheel. I actually did a number one testing one of those Double AA's at 8 years old.. Yeah,...wasn't quite ready to handle the Double AA's at that age but I will never forget the sure torque of that engine!

Continental Engines Deco AU7R This Continental AU7R became the industry leader in Quarter Midget Racing in the late 50's and early 60's. After market racing cams, heads, and other trick stuff was offered for these little engines to run maximum performance output.. Here are some of the parts break down to see the engines construction. ( Great Literature provided by Kenny in California )

Looking Back at the Beginning.. An unknown California Driver smiles as he poses with his Kurtis Kraft Midget in the 1950's