Midget 85

DOUG McBride visits Houston This clipping was taken from the November 28, 1958 "Freeway Quarter Midget Racing News" with an article on Doug's visit to Houston.. #85

QUARTER MIDGET ACTION.. A couple of shots of the little midgets in action.. #85 You are probably right Jim! Might have used a little "Lead" in the body work also..what do you think? BELOW.. The photos in these shots look like the 70's or possibly the late 60's on one of them. You are now seeing the full cage protection on the lower shot that was induced to promote safety..and also to keep up with the times and looks of the Big Cars.. Dig the "Soft Walls"..we knew them as Hay Bales... Like the right rear slick on midget #34!

Jim, Wonder what they would have said back then if someone wanted to run a Toyota?

MORE.. It wasn't long before dad's all over the country began building their own ideas of midgets in their own creations.. This is truly a great midget that is a labor of love from both in it's beginning and restoration days to illustrate the love of racing for all age's.. Get a load out of the 1952 idea of a "Quick Release" steering wheel! Think today's tech is something new?? As I retreive more information on this midget, I will update the facts of it's contents.. #85

IN THE BEGINNING.. In the early days of Quarter Midgets and fun cars the imagination was the only limit to building these little racers. Below are some photos of a midget that was built in 1952 and recently has been restored. The car was built for the son's of Ken, Ron, and Don Pylant in 1952 and was constructed from actual scrap body parts of an old automobile...mainly old fenders! The car has been restored by the sons in memory of their late dad and is shown at many car shows throughout Texas. Look at that direct air flow from front to back to cool the driver and engine.. Remember, this was before the fiberglass bodies and manufacturing companies got involved with producing Quarter Midgets. #85

Hey Guys, That's great to hear he is doing OK! He is a trip alright and enjoyed watching him race over the years. Didn't know what happened to him.. #85

TEXAS DRIVERS IN TULSA The following photos were taken in Tulsa, Oklahoma 1959 for the 1/4 Midget Nationals The first photo appears to be Houston Driver Sandra Honea Second photo appears to be Jr. Wingo of Houston.. Doug McBride gives us several shots with trophies and another photo of a California Driver attending the Nationals.. The forth photo reflects two of the racing girls that gave the boys a run for their money. On the left of Doug is Debbie Pearce and to the right is Sandra Honea.. #85

DOUG McBRIDE The article below was taken from the San Antonio Light newspaper dated Sunday-August 14, 1960 Doug sets qualifying record for the Nationals! Good lookin Pacemaker! #85

DOUG McBRIDE Here's another photo of Doug McBride and his Dad in the pit area. We think this photo was taken at the San Antonio 1/4 Midget Race Track or Tulsa Nationals Additional photos reflect various 1/4 Midgets including a younger Doug taken in San Antonio. These photos would later be published in a magazine article promoting the little quarters.. Photos courtesy of Doug Mc Bride #85

SAN ANTONIO Race Track Interesting info again illustrates a differnt time and place in history.. Courtesy of Doug McBride Midget 85

Bruce, All the tracks in Houston have gone by the wayside and 1/4 midget racing in Houston began to die in 1960-61 with the new craze of Go-Karts taking over and for other related reasons. The one Go-Kart track location on Airline Drive in Houston is now covered up with a Mexican Flea Market that has taken over. I raced at the Grand Prarie track several times and set a track record there years ago around 1959-60. The only Dallas track that I raced on was the 1/4 midget track near the old Devil's Bowl track in the 50's. I am sure both tracks are either gone or relocated. I still have the trophy presented to me at the "Bubble Gum Bowl" track if that is the one you are referring to in this thread in Grand Prarie, TX. Those were fun days and probably a piece of history that will long be remembered by those of us that were there in that part of time. Below is an entry form relating to 1961 at the Bubble Gum Bowl race track courtesy of Doug McBride. Quarter Midgets have definitely changed and from what I have observed have become somewhat universal using the same parts and equipment as Go-Karts. The only difference is the bodies have been added and the the offset right side of the chassis are really a far cry from the early midgets as to the original looks. The caged roll bars have certainly made racing safer but, were not part of the 50's look. On second thought, everything changes with time...and sometimes they evolve around again at some point and time. Today, many offerings of racing are available including the Allison Legends, Bandolero's and yes, 1/4 midget and go-kart racing, giving everyone a choice to choose from. In the earlier days our selections and aftermarket part availabilities were limited.. I would have loved to have driven a Bandolero had it been available in my days! Keep up the racing and remember to take plenty of photos of your racing days that many of us failed to do in our days of racing. Camera's were a luxury in those days. Thanks for the input on this thread Midget 85

MORE.. Below, a clipping from the newspaper promoting the two day race and also a special on Larry Schild.. #85

GALVESTON,TEXAS LABOR DAY TWO DAY EVENT - 1960 The year is 1960 and a big two day event is held in Galveston, Tx. that would bring drivers from all over the state. A Sunday and Monday race schedule would mean two full days of racing for the 1/4 Midgets and competition that included Doug McBride, Larry Schild, many local drivers, and myself driving #85. The photo below reflects the tech inspection of the engine by the officials prior to racing. That is me standing by Midget 85 and note the tale section in the background. This was a good weekend for all of us at the races! Photos and paper clippings courtesy of Doug McBride - San Antonio,TX #85

Larry, You are right about the volume of people that passed through those gates! At the time we were all active, it seemed there would never be an end to Meyer Speedway. As we look back it's hard to believe how fast it all went by and to think that some people today have never heard of the Meyer Speedway. Kinda haunting isn't it? We will all have memories of the speedway and remember the roar of the engines that still echo through our thoughts. Lee Hutchinson does sound familiar and quite possibly the same gentlemen we are referring to. I was unaware of his passing... Well, let's try another driver. What ever happened to Lee Cade? I think he drove the #92 Modified. Does anyone remember this driver and what happened to him? -Randy

Larry, Interesting.. As Jim mentioned above this thread, senior moments occur too often The Hutchinson we are referring to had a younger brother named Robert if this is the same one, and younger brother still lived at home with his parents on the north side. It is possible that the older brother might have moved since he was older and possibly kept his cars at the parents location on occasion. I do know the red #55 modified was parked at this location at the Hutchinson home for awhile. Robert, the younger brother informed us of his older brother purchasing the modified. That's when I had gone over and took a few pictures of the car since I was so interested in the modifieds beasty looks! Again, I have got to find those photos somewhere. He possibly re painted the modified and became #76. If I recall correctly, I don't think Hutchinson raced very long if he indeed did drive it in 68. Wish I could be of more help and confirm all of this. The Bronco #90 I think did belong to this guy but probably had it stored elsewhere. He was sorta stocky and blond headed and about 5'11" tall if I recall and sometimes worked at a local auto parts store on Mt Houston Rd and Hiway 59. Gee, this is frustrating on my part! We will keep researching.. -Randy By the way guys, Glad to hear Kent Lewis is still at it! Nice Guy and competitor in the racing world. Yep, probably will race for time to come and what a way to go! #85

Driver: RANDY COON - Champion Jr. Division 1958 Houston, Texas Paper Article below reflects another clipping of early days of 1/4 Midget Racing.. #85

Quarter Midget Drivers with Christmas Wishes 1958! This paper clipping comes from one of the pages of the "Freeway Quarter Midget Racing News" paper dated November 28, 1958. Here's a few of the local drivers with Christmas Wishes and photo shots.. Houston, Texas

All kinds of 1/4 midgets raced and came together at National events such as Tulsa, Oklahoma.. Grand Prarie, TX.. and other major cities such as Orlando, Florida. #85

It looks like the Tulsa track in a lot of ways. That's where I had the 5 car pile up in the feature race.. date 1960. I have it on film somewhere.. -Randy #85

More 1/4 midget history lives with these photos courtesy of Doug McBride. Pit action shots that only photos can witness of a time gone by... #85

Is Kent still racing? #85

Larry, That's interesting.. I can't recall the name of the person that my dad sold the 55 Chevy to back then since I was a in High School that day and when I returned home, the Bronco Chevy was gone. We lived on the north side of Houston and all I recall was the frustration with parents and the Bronco project that had been halted. I was looking forward to racing at Meyer Speedway. A fellow friend that drove Broncos down the street and after the two year limit purchased a red 38 Chevy Modified #55 I think relayed the info to someone about the project for sale. He was a little older than I and came by the house frequently. His name was Hutchinson.. ring a bell? Anyway, I think his connection to someone at Meyer Speedway led to the 55 Bronco finding a new home. Like I said, that was a pretty sore subject with me back then.. In the long run, we got over it and moved on with life. I did find that street rodding was fun however in such that I could drive the car everyday and also led me to meet a lot of fellow street rodders along the way. What the heck, it was still cars and engine building was no limits! #85

DOUG McBride continued.. I have posted a few more photos of Doug McBride below as he advances his career in 1/4 Midget racing and as you can see, he is a little older in these shots. Hopefully, Doug can give us info on these photos as to where they were taken and for the two Pacemaker Midgets he is pictured with. #85

DOUG McBRIDE Newspaper Article 1961 San Antonio's Doug McBride hits the sports section of the San Antonio paper sports section as a confirmed champion! Doug's 1/4 Midget pictured is a Pacemaker midget that later was converted to a straight axle. I remember his dad making the modifications on this car! Doug is now 8 years old in this photo.. #85

Quarter Midget Drivers all had good reasons to win races! First, to make a victory lap with the checkered flag.. Secondly, to capture a trophy for the collection... And the number 3 reason probably the most important was a kiss from the track trophy queen! It certainly didn't take away from the adventure or reason to win. Below, drivers take honors with their winnings..