Vukovich Drake car
 

I recently came across an archive of the history of a track in Alexandria IN called Armscamp Speedway. Here is the part that caught my eye dated 07-22-55

"One of the nation's fastest midget cars, a two cycle motorcycle engine-powered Drake, formerly owned by the late Bill Vukovich, will be in the starting field of Midget racing at Armscamp Friday night. Vukovich set a number of track records with the car and Tommy Ward (my grandfather) of Lafayette will race the car at Armscamp Friday night."

I remember my grandfather talking about his Drake car which he said was just a Harley motorcycle engine which was modified to be liquid cooled. I was just wondering if anyone might have a picture of this car. I would really like to get a copy of it if at all possible. I hope to hear from someone.

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

I can remember the spark in Donnie Adams eye when he told stories about the track. Little Donnie may have some info laying around. :respect:

R.I.P. Donnie

Jerry #66
www.joshspencer.com

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

BILL VUKOVICH STILL HAS THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS RESTORED AND JOHN MECOM WANTS TO BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!! :checkered:

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

MORE THEN HALF THE TRACK REMAINS ON RT 28 JUST WEST OF TOWN NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD!:applaud:

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

BAD HEWS!!!!!!!!! GREAT STORY BUT NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!! BILL VUKOVICH HAD TWO DRAKES CAR 1 AND CAR 4 THESE CARS NEVER LEFT CA. BILL SOLD THE 4 CAR TO ED JUSTICE AND THEY RACED IT AND IS THERE MUSUEM IN LA. AND BILL VUKOVICH STILL HAS THE 1 CAR!!!!!! :checkered:

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

I'm not saying that I disagree but I'm sure my grandpa had a drake, and I never knew who had the car before him, but i do remember him saying it was from Cal, and that it was one of the first migets around with a pedal brake instead of a hand brake... not arguing, but I would like to get a pic and see if i can find one of him in his car and see if maybe it was some sort of copy or somthing...I honestly don't remember granda ever saying that it belonged to Vouk, which I would think he would, I just found this by googlling Tommy Ward.

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Can't help you with a picture of Tommy Ward. Here are a few shots of Armscamp ( also called Hilltop Speedway ) near Alexandria.
DG

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

You may in your searching about Armscamp look up some info on Lewis (Lou) Morgan, he and his brother at some point in time owned the track and several midgets racing there.
I know Lou always talked highly of Bob Breading, and how tough he was in a midget.

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

canceled

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Den....thought of you when I saw this one!!....Bingo...here you are!!.........
_____________
Brucer'

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

I am having trouble posting pictures not sure why?
but the url's are good .
Here is an engine shot of the Vukie drake in the rail job.
aXe
http://thekneeslider.com/images/vukovichmidget3.jpg

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Ok I think I got her now? Here is the Rail job Vukie won a lot in. it is in a restored condition. not sure but last I heard it was owned by some one else in the Family? Of Course Bill may have it by now?
aXe
http://www.internetsalespartner.com/...2_DSCN4351.JPG

http://www.internetsalespartner.com/images/722_DSCN4388.JPG[/url]

I dont know how old this page is but it was, is for sale?
aXe
I am having fun with the selling site!!!! Just go to google put it in ( IMAGES ) then insert " Vukovich drake " then open one of the drake pics it opens to a site that was or is selling that car.
aXe

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Hey Brucer (austinsprinter) do ya have any more handles?
aXe South of town

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Yep...(Ole')....just like you!!,Den.......
____________
Brucer'

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

A "Drake" is essentially a Harley powered midget - it was a popular engine choice among many, particularly in the pre-offy days - The Offy essentially rendered other engines obsolete and hence some clubs like the URA had an Offy and non-Offy circuit (Red and Blue) and some clubs banned the Offy altogether- Rex Mays showed once up at Winchester with his Offy prompting a threat of a boycott

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Now that you're into midgets, anyone remember, besides me, the 2 that Justin King, Columbus Taxi cab Co owner campaigned? Man, Justin was a perfectionist, those cars were never seen dirty, he hauled them on an open, double deck trailer, and man were they the dream of a young kid, full of &*%% and vinegar, when I worked after school, at the Ford Garage, when it was down town, musta been about 1953ish. V860's, and nothing spared, he'd always push them off, before they loaded them, and that really got me nailed. Bob

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

This car looks almost exactly like the one my grandpa had. We have a pic of him at Monticello ( don't know year ) with Gerald Brand. The car was grey and maroon and was number 30. The tail tank and everything looks the same. I will try to get a pic posted to see if anyone recognizes the car.

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Well now there were plenty Drakes out west, In fact I found one last year waiting to be installed in a new Kurtis frame,I wonder if it ever happened?

http://static.bakersfield.com/smedia...filiate.25.jpg

Here are Billy and his Brother Eli going at it in a couple of Drakes.
axe

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Duke,

According to the website, the Vukovich Drake is for sale, is it Bill that is selling it or has he already sold it?

later,

Bob Mays

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

BILL HAS IT AND JOHN MECOM WANTS IT AS I SAID!:headbang IT HAS BEEN IN THE VUKOVICH FAMILY ALL ALONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:headbang

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Which John Mecom wants the car? Is it John Jr. or John III? I know both of them love Dirt Cars. I went to the Silver Crown Race in Indianapolis with John III and his sisters a couple of times, we always stood in the infield in turn 1 about 10 feet from the guardrail. I think I liked that better than the 500. Gary B in the Delrose car and Chuck Gurney going at it was a thang' of beauty. Any one got any video or pictures of that?

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

??????????????? Call vukovich!!!!!! Hes in indy!!!!!!!!

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Hi

This is a very late reply but hope someone reads it and finds it interesting.

This car presently on display at "Woodland's Museum" located at Paso Robles, CA airport.

I watched Billy V race it at Sacramento, CA "Hughes Stadium" during 1946 and 47. He usually won!

He ran against his brother Eli, Johnny Parsons, Bill Zaring, Edgar Elder, Danny Oaks, Norm Girtz, and others who later became famous.

The 1/4 mi track was very narrow, flat, college running track around a football field.

Very exciting racing!

Bill

Re: Vukovich Drake car
 

Thanks for your post, Bill. We lived in Reedley (CA) in 1946 and '47, and although I was only 3 years old at the time, I can remember going to Airport Speedway in Fresno on Sunday nights to watch the gentlemen you named, plus many more whose names would be familiar to many on this forum. Of course, my favorite car/driver combination was the red #1 with Mr. Vukovich at the wheel. He remained a hero of mine long after his untimely death. These Sunday nights cemented my love of motorsports, and short track dirt racing specifically. Even though I don't remember a lot from those days, many of the names have stayed with me.

I have a 1946 Fresno Midget Auto Racing Year Book that includes brief biographies of several of those who raced regularly at Airport Speedway. I'll have this Year Book with me at the Chili Bowl and I'd be happy to share it with any of you old timers (and I use that term affectionately - I'm one too!) who plan to be in attendance. Just PM me and we can arrange a time and place to meet.