Midget 85

Bottom photo of Danny Gage driving the #99 King Wahlborg Midget and taking a win at the Pasadena Quarter Midget Track in 1960. The time era is a giveaway. Notice the telephone number painted on the side of the midget with the letter prefix CA8-4524, which would now be 228-4524, also note no area codes! The picture directly below is Larry Schild driving and winning a race at the Pasadena Race Track near the Rodeo Grounds. His car was the "Flying 1" in tribute to his Dad Charlie Schild who drove the modifieds at Playland Park and Meyer Speedway with the same number. Larry is driving a Daytona Viper Quarter Midget and was a serious contender. Later, Larry would enter into the Bronco Stock Car Division at Meyer Speedway in 1967. Summer 1960 photo

Here's a few pictures of Doug McBride from San Antonio and myself at the Pasadena Race Track in June, 1960 Doug and I both drove Pacemaker Midgets in those innocent days of Quarter Midget Racing! Bubs in the pits, serious contenders on the track. Look closely on the track and you will see Denny Burton in his Red & White Daytona Viper #5 making warm up laps in the background. Soon after these photos, Quarter Midget racing lasted only briefly in the Houston area. Go-Karts were fast emerging as the new sport in small fry racing. These Classic Quarter Midgets are worth money today as well as the collector status of owning or finding one. Unfortunately many have gone by the wayside, those that have one should know their value!

Another interesting photo of MJ Burton and Charlie Schild as MJ watches Charlie looking at the bottom of Larry Schilds Quarter Midget making sure all the oil has drained out of the engine before adding new oil. The next photo is Larry Robinson ( sitting in his quarter midget ) talking to Larry Schild about the upcoming feature race. Third picture reveals several local San Antonio Drivers and cars in the pit area. Look at those Continental engines in the rear of the cars. How quickly time slips away and the little engines are almost extinct now.. Forth shot is another scene of the pit area. The two cars to the far right are Pacemakers #2 and #14 in which #14 would be the winner of the feature race in the B' Modifieds. The next car is a Kurtis Kraft and the car next to that #7 is a Wahlborg midget all from SanAntonio. In the far background is Larry Robinsons car. Quarter midget racing was sanctioned just like any other racing leagues which included seat belts, roll bars, and engine classifications including Box Stock, Modified Stock, B Modified, A Modified, and AA Alcohol Fuel Modified. The double A Modifieds were interesting to watch at night with the blue flame trail blowing out the exhaust of these little midgets that could actually smoke the slicks on the right rear! Usually kids 12 and older drove the AA monster bombs before graduating to 1/2 Midgets. Another legacy that never really took off in the Houston area..1/2 Midgets. These photos were taken in San Antonio, TX at The Southwest Quarter Midget Nationals promotion. The year was October, 1960

This next picture is Coggie's old quarter midget #7 after he sold it to Roger "Paul" Rogers sitting in the car here. Note the masking tape added in front of the #7 to make it #17 now since Coggie kept his old number. This photo was taken right after Coggie sold his old midget, and purchased his new Pacemaker #7. His sister Debbie would drive the Metallic Red Pacemaker #7-2 Also note Sandra, you can see a little bit of your Red and White Moss Midget #10 directly behind Roger. If you look closely, you can also see the "pinstripping" you were refering too on this thread. The gentleman bending over is either looking or working on the only front engine Quarter Midget that raced with us in those days. It was built along the same lines of the Micro Midgets which had motorcycle engines in front. Don't remember the driver of that car and don't recall it ever winning a race. However I was leaving Quarter Midget racing after 1960 or soon there after. Too bad you lost your pictures. The photo just below is one of the Hammond Brothers in the #69 Racecraft Midget. If I recall correctly it is Darrel Hammond winning the honors at the Pasadena Race Track. #85

Sandra, Not sure if Coggie practiced in Texas. His first name would have been David although his nick name was "Coggie" Pearce. I am working on newsletter for Quarter Midget drivers that we have so far. I will send them out soon and let's see if we can gather more info. We need names and telephone #s along with email addresses. #85

MJ Burton once told me that the car pictured above (#5 Modified Stock after roll over) was owned by Smitty and MJ drove the car for him. I had asked him back in 1992 about the famous flip where he is actually getting out of the passenger side door and he grinned and said "Yeah..that was Smitty's Old Coupe" I was drivin. The following weekend after the flip, the car was actually towed to the race track by way of a wrecker and you could see where the roof line had been beaten out by hammer work. Later weeks, there were holes drilled in the trunk to reduce air drag. Not long after that, the car was no longer seen again. I guess it had it's days... probably in Modified Heaven now...

Denny Burton driving and winning a race at LollyPop Speedway 1958. The car is a Walhborg Quarter Midget #9 painted light metallic blue and white. Dig that stripe on the uniform just like the big kids wore.. Here you go Denny!

Here's a shot of the 1958 Gulf Coast National Meet at the Gulf Freeway Track. The pole setter was from Lake Charles, Louisiana visiting Houston. Can you name any of the drivers? INSIDE ROW: FRONT TO REAR.. Charles, ( last name unknown) Lake Charles, Louisiana Doug McBride........................ San Antonio, Texas Steve Catlin ......................... Houston, Texas Mike Rezzoffi......................... Houston, Texas OUTSIDE ROW: FRONT TO REAR Randy Coon...........................Houston, Texas Kay McConn ?........................Houston, Texas Jr. Wingo ..............................Houston, Texas Ralph Middleton?...................Houston, Texas The midget ( last Photo )below was driven by Doug McBride of San Antonio and was actually his first midget. Doug's midget is actually the first midget I recall seeing with shoulder harness belts in those days. All other midgets came standard with lap belts but no shoulder harnesses. Here, it has been repainted Maroon approximately a year later than the picture above it where you will see Doug in the same midget with a different paint job and is located on the inside lane, second row with his Dad standing next to him with the white cap and his foot on the left rear wheel. Further down this thread you will see Doug kneeling by his #500 Pacemaker Quarter Midget in 1960.

Below is my first Quarter Midget that was built by my Dad in 1956. The car was originally metallic blue with the yellow #7 and was driven each week in Dallas, TX at the Devil's Bowl Quarter Midget track. See original picture further up on this thread. Here it is several years later in 1959 at Lolly Pop Speedway in Pasadena at the Allendale Shopping Center. After a small promotional showing of Midget 85 at Mohr Buick Dealership, we later headed to the speedway where I was asked to drive the old midget I used to own by MJ Burton. The car had been repainted again with MJ's Car Lot as sponsorship on the side. I quickly slid into the old racer, buckled up and took a Heat Race that night. Ironically, it was the only time I won a race in this car. The car was 4 years old and had been through three paint jobs in it's life time. Started out as #7 to #56 to #58.

I know it wasn't MJ's old #5 pictured here. MJ actually flipped the #5 sometime after this accident as posted on my website. I will copy and paste to hear for everyone to see very soon. The story I get is that MJ was actually trying to block for Smitty who was leading the race before the engine expired. Charlie was after him hard and was the rocket kid as a result. It was to the best of my memory a modified with #1 (red and white) on the side that went sailing across the fence. I do recall the #25 car red and silver, but I am almost positive it wasn't that one. It seemed like it was a Fiat Ford Coupe Body Modified although some tell me he was driving a 38 Chevy that night. I used to study these cars in great detail to see what model cars I could buy and mimick building one just like I saw them at the race track. I was quite younger then, but I would guess it was a Fiat Ford Body just by the appearance of the #1 car going air born. Probably been too long ago for my brain cells but, for years I would have bet it was a Fiat Ford. Does anyone else recall seeing that kind of body during this time period? From what I saw and it was so fast, Charlie was air born straight up as he went over the wall with the front pointed up about 20 degrees. What happened after he went over the wall I never got to see. Tatar reminded everyone to remain in their seats as safety officials had everything under control. Later he announced for Mrs Charlie Schild to report to the pit gate. I remember that as if it were yesterday. Wish I had the photo of the car going over the wall. There were several shots of it back then but, no telling what heppened to them now.

Well, Here's another photo I purchased at Meyer Speedway the following weekend after Charlie Schild went over the wall in 62 If I recall. Recently, I was told that this old 37 Ford Coupe Modified was driven by Smitty Smith and note the damage here. My memory of this accident was on the last lap of a 100 Lap feature race going into turn 3 when the engine came loose and dumped oil. Either Charlie bumped him after the engine expired while in second place and spun Smitty and this set up a "Rocket Launch" for Charlie Ray which sent him over the turn 3 wall. The #61 is facing the backstretch looking down at turn 2. Note the crumpled hood where Charlie went over the top of the hood and the crewmen looking over the wall where Charlie exited the speedway. It all happened so fast and you could here a pin drop in awh in the grandstand. I remember seeing the red and white #1 flying over the rail (before they added a catch fence) and flashes of cameras caught the spill..

Jim, I recall the old model A top was just a shakin like jello after the flip as he landed back on his wheels and rolled into the infield. Tatar said, "Well he's a little shakin but doin fine folks...What Happened? he exclaimed...better slow you self down son" It's almost like a video in my mind. It was a red 30-31 coupe I think the car was #8. After Tony got out of the modified I heard Tatar say " That's why he chose the number "8" cause you read it straight up or upside down" said Tatar..

You know..it's very sad to hear of how many of our heroes have moved on to another deminsion in life. It only seems like yesterday we would see the green flag drop and the roar of the engines. .. all that is left with some of those memories. Well guys, I will keep looking for photos somewhere in my shoe boxes. It's a wonder I have any left after all these years. Was anyone at Meyerland the night Parnelli Jones beat AJ in a Sprint Car powered Chevy. AJ was driving a AJ Watson "OFFY" #2 and Parnelli a ragged old Chevy Sprinter maybe #98 and beat him on the last lap. This might have been 1960 -61. Anyone remember that? At Playland Park, seems like there was a driver named Tony Madina or Medina? Saw him flip a 30 Coupe after someone gave him a little nudge in the back end on the backstretch. If I recall didn't Tatar announce at Playland also during the final days?

Great Picture Guys! I'm a little behind with the times. Is Norman still with us? Wasn't that car Red & White? Refresh my memory please.. You are right about Tatar! I used to try and talk like him while driving down the road with pictures of Modifieds racing in my head! Man I miss those days!

Well fellas ..you are right. Finding one of these old modifieds is like looking for gold for sure. Maybe we need to just start cloning some of the relics by some of these builders like Sonny that know how they were built. Heck I'm all fired up to try and build one myself that would be a clone of one of them since we can't seem to find one anywhere. Of course you would start a war with today's street rodders if you even suggested cutting one up to be a modified body..say a 38 Chevy. They all blame the circle track boys for destroying all the 55-56 Chevy's and old coupes on the circle tracks. But guys, there were plenty of them in those days to become stockers and modifieds... I think... As to Ballard's car, I thought I was right about the body, but wanted a second opinion. Glad I asked. Thanks, I can rest now knowing it was a 48' Ford Sedan after all.

Oh yeah, the red #92 I remember was parked at D&D Speed Muffler Shop owned by Don Burton on Fulton. I used to sit in it as a kid when visiting Denny Burton. We always pretended to be driving at Playland! That was around 1958. Don and Dottie were good people. I believe it was an old 38' Ford Coupe, possibly a 37'..but seems like the grill was a 38 best I remember. At least that is the one I remember. Speaking of Don's old shop, I remember the Pink 32 Ford Modified being tuned at the shop for MJ Burton. It was #58 and the flared header pipes really sang a tune! We need more "Tatar Petes" in todays racing ring. Keep the memories flowing and tell us more. Question? Who had the shop on Homestead Rd in the mid 60's and also built Larry Schilds first modified for Meyers? Someone said it was RED Garner? I do remember the shop had built Barcelona's 38'Chevy Modified and was parked on the side of the building. The car was Blue and White #58 in 1967. If I recall there was a used car lot in front of the shop. Need help with that one... The Modified that was being built for Larry was pieces.. or rearend of a 59 Ford if I recall and orange #8. It was driven by Larry in 1968, the year he entered the mods. Seems like I saw it in one of the photos on this site with Charlie and Larry in the background. Just curious if anyone knows who we are talking about here? ******************************************************************************** * Someone once told me the Green #5 of Ballards Modified was built from a "Volvo Body"? I thought back then it looked like maybe a 46 or 48 Ford Sedan of course highy altered in length and such. Does anyone know if that is true?

jakdad, You are right, Walter spun the guts out of the little 289 Ford around the 1/2 mile. I remember Tatar Pete making an announcement over the track PA that "After 5 years of racing the Modifieds, you just witnessed Walter Ballard taking his first feature race at Meyer Speedway" he said. That was 1967. Tater, we would loose after that season. Ballard's car was sorta "Pea Green" in 67 and the next year it had been repainted with a more agressive slightly darker metalic green for the 68 season. It was 68 that he flipped on the back stretch at Meyerland end over end after mixing wheels with George's #24 Modified. I don't recall seeing either one of those cars after 68. A new era of body styles and sprinters were emerging by then..oh yeah, the winged days on many. It was also 1968 or 69 that Chumley made a roadster out of the #16 coupe. You could visably see the roll bars that were once tucked under the coupe sheet metal. They decap'd the roof! It would be nice to line all of those modifieds up in one row just to see them again. Man, what history!

Sandra, Don't remember helicoptors but, I do recall free plane rides for the winners of the feature races and such around Galveston. Are you sure you rode a helicopter and holding out on us with something you knew about and didn't share? Guess us guys missed that one...

Here's the Modified that was built for the late Billy Wade for the 65' season and was taken by Jimmy Willis to test drive and maybe become the seasonal driver after Wades death. This is a paper clip I cut out of the Houston Chronicle in 1965 and have saved all these years. The #23 Modified of Billy Wade / Jimmy Willis posted ..

Well, I think it's about time we do something for our heroes who in past times gave us thrills, spills, and chills around the ovals as often noted in the weekly programs. With what is left of the track, it shouldn't be to hard to re construct if at all possible. Imagine a brand new Meyer Speedway. Not for racing but, a museum and history place for all to visit. A museum on the infield and a speedway for laps around the track in your personal vehicle for instance, but of course at a slower speed than our famous past drivers.

Let's start a new forum and discuss any and all drivers, events, memories, and history of Meyer Speedway from the beginning to the end. I will start this one off by saying let's rebuild Meyer Speedway and since Joseph F. Meyer willed it to always be a race track, what are we waiting for..except money! Is it possible to get a government grant for preserving a landmark in Houston? It was his will from what I have read on this forum. Surely there had to be some engineering drawings somewhere in the city or county files? Wouldn't it be nice to have a landmark for classic racing and a museum filled with legendary cars that raced there right in the infield. What a piece of history! Just a thought... What do you think? ..or maybe you think I'm crazy? Any other crazy's like me who likes history? Let's begin with the beginning days when a fresh new speedway was opened in Houston, TX. Who has memories? When did construction start at Meyer Speedway, when did it open?

Anyone with photo's of Meyer Speedway? Let's start posting them here.

OK Denny, You've got me stirred up now! I spoke with Freddy Taylor the other day and we have decided to start a ledger and try to get as many Quarter Midget drivers together as possible. There are several of us on here now so let's get started before it's too late. Be sure to contact Larry Schild for us and anyone else you know to get us speeded up for the ledger. Anyone who can locate Coggie and or Debbie Pearce would be awesome too. Last I heard, Coggie had become a Medical Doctor. There was a picture of Coggie in his 1957 Wahlborg Midget hanging in the 59 Diner Restuarant on the Katy Freeway near beltway 8. Anyone out there that was a Quarter Midget Driver in and around the Houston area can email us at the following address. Contact myself and give us the following: 1) Name 2) Quarter Midget Car # 3) Telephone number where we can reach you. 4) City or community you live 5) Any other contacts of fellow drivers you know. 6) Please Include " Quarter Midget" in your Header mail so we don't mistake it as junk mail. Email to the following: Niftee50eesc@aol.com Here's a couple of photos from 1958 with Winner Randy Coon and the duel to take the lead between Randy and Larry Schild. Upper Photo Randy is presented the trophy from veteran race driver, Doc Cossey of Playland Park. Bottom Photo It's Larry Schild on the outside in a Wahlborg (King) #99 and Randy Coon on the inside in the Pacemaker #85 coming out of turn 2 at Houston's Gulfgate Quarter Midget Track. The track was located at the intersection of I-45 South and Woodredge / southwest side of the freeway. Later in years, Bill McDavid Olds would be built right over the top of the track. Another track gone down! Larry went wide, Randy dove to the inside for a dual to the finish..

Welcome aboard Sandra! I might have a photo of you in the red and white #10 Moss Midget in my photo album. I really need to find my album. Of course, a lot of the photos were taken in black and white in those days by the track photographer. Does anyone remember Joe Jordon? Joe was one of the promoters at the Gulf Freeway track and also "Uncle Bert Lynn" who had the TV show along with the talking pig "Porky" if I recall on channel 2 in those days. Remember the Quarter Midgets being televised on Sunday mornings?? They were all "Fixed" as to who was to win so everyone would shine as a winning driver every Sunday. After the TV coverage was over, it was back to grid iron racing off the TV camera's. Once I was running an illegal " 270 "cam in my engine just to see how it would perform according to my Dad who was the chief mechanic as all were. The car literally flew around the track and I was having fun lapping everyone as I felt like AJ Foyt! It was on TV, but dad signaled me into the pits after the white flag was displayed so I couldn't win. We pretended we fell out for mechanical reasons or for what it was worth, that's what they said on TV. Anyway, I wasn't suppose to win that race and to do so would have caused an uprising not to mention the speeds I was doing around the track certainly was noticed by the competitors. They knew something wasn't right and we sure the heck wasn't running an "A" modified engine with methane or nitro fuel! Oh yeah Sandra, Pam Miller and her little sister were the other two cute Lassies driving the "Grand Prix" Quarter Midgets like Freddy Taylor and Bubba and Gayle Nolan. I have a photo of my Mom driving Wahlborg for the Mothers Day Race at Gulf Freeway track. She finished second to Jeff Lynn's Mom who put a bumper to her in turn 4 and almost spun her out. That was funny. Those were some fun days and the competition grew stronger before the popularity of Quarter Midgets lost to Go Karts. I think one reason was due to the level of speed and cheating that was taking place just to keep winning. Many fell out of the sport that had become "Too Big Time" racing for little kids and daddy's alike.

I found this photo of Coggie Pearce in his later Pacemaker Midget after winning the Senior Championship in 1958. Note the fuel tank was mounted just in front of Coggie's cock pit. Pretty big trophey for Quarter Midget Championship award! It was the ending season of 1958 and you can tell the weather was a bit cool. In the photo starting from left to right is Debbie Pearce, Coggie in the midget, Annette Pearce and Fred Pearce the parents. Fred Pearce was a pilot for Gulf Oil company at the time and later moved to Lake Jackson,TX and became a pilot for Dow Chemical. Annette was a school teacher. They had a huge spread near the lake in Lake Jackson. Before that, we used to visit their home in Glennbrook Valley near what was then known as Houston International Airport