Where and when was your very first race?

Chris Nunn · 10/21/09, 2:39 AM

And do you remember who won?

Open up those memory banks, share some stories
Posted via Mobile Device

ByronMack · 10/21/09, 3:25 AM

First dirt track race was Brownstown in 73 or 74 was 2 or 3. First sprint car race was Kings Royal early 80's. Steve Kinser won.
Posted via Mobile Device

billwill7 · 10/21/09, 4:46 AM

My parents took me to my first race September 4, 1989 when I was 9 months old. My dad's birthday was that day and introducing me to racing was his present.

It was the USAC Champ Cars for the Ted Horn 100 at the DuQuoin, Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Since I was only 9 months old, I don't remember the race or who won, but we have some good pictures from that day. I got to sit in (Indiana) Andy Hillenburg's car and made dad's day.

Here's the rundown from that day, courtesy of OpenwheelTimes.com.

1) Chuck Gurney (Kurtz #30)
2) Rich Vogler (Wilke #16)
3) Jimmy Sills (Countryman #15)
4) Tony Elliott (Gurtizen #51)
5) Jim Mahoney (#50)
6) Mark Alderson (Boles #2)
7) Andy Hillenburg (McMahon #85)
8) Danny Smith (Hammond #56)
9) Jim McElreath (#23)
10) Walt Kennedy (Woodward #40)
11) Dave Feese (McClure #69)
12) Greg Staab (Wilke #7)
13) Johnny Parsons (Scruggs #37)
14) Larry Rice (Lefevre #5)
15) Steve Butler (Jarrett #1)
16) Danny Milburn (Newkirk #27)
17) Tom Bigelow (Smith #14)
18) Bob Cicconi (#59)
19) Donnie Beechler (Egan #46)
20) Russ Gamester (Mataka #31)
21) Jack Hewitt (Hampshire #63)
22) Manny Rockhold (#17)
23) Gary Bettenhausen (Delrose/Holt #12)
24) Ron Dunstan (Conroy #18)
25) George Snider (Foyt 11)
26) Terry Kawell (#90)
27) Gary Irvin (#48)
28) Warren Mockler (Mitchell #75)
29) Rickey Hood (Niebel #20)
30) Gary Hieber (#66)
31) Jerry Nemire (Lesko #98)
32) Mike Thomas (#78)

Since 1989, I've only missed one running of the Ted Horn 100. (Plus this year...

)

I'll try to find and add a couple of the pictures.

cmakin · 10/21/09, 5:27 AM

My first race was in the summer of '73. My folks took me to Hangtown (now Placerville) Speedway. I can't tell you who won, or even raced, though. I can tell you that I was ruined for life as soon as I set eyes on the track, though. Little did I know that I would be working in the booth just a short two years later.

Barney · 10/21/09, 5:53 AM

Haubstadt 1962. Henry Kempf won.

Danny Burton · 10/21/09, 6:34 AM

September, 1951, age about 1 month, Bloomington Speedway.

Parents never told me who won, but I'll guess it was either Chuck Welsh or Barney Oldfield. :2:

apexonephoto · 10/21/09, 6:34 AM

MIne was Checker Flag Raceway in Windsor, Ontario in 1978. I was less then a year old and they raced late models. The track has been gone for 17 years now. I live about five minutes away from the subdivision that occupies that land. The first dirt track I went to was Talladega Short Track in October 2002. First open wheel show I went to was a World of Outlaws race at the Dirt Track at Charlotte the week after. I sporadically hit races for a quite a few years, and since 2006 have managed to hit at least 40 races a year.

interpreter66 · 10/21/09, 7:17 AM

heidleberg speedway, pittsburgh pa. 1967
don't remember who won (i was 7 )
do remember a wheel coming off of a car and finishing ahead of the car and thought that was cool!

illinisprintfan · 10/21/09, 7:36 AM

June 1968, age 2 months, to watch super modifieds at the old paved San Jose Speedway. I can't seem to recall who won though.

Jim Halpert · 10/21/09, 7:38 AM

I was first introduced to my lifetime fascination when I was 4 years old...and no other place than the greatest of them all...the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I believe it was qualifications in 1988...and my only memory, my first racing memory whatsoever, was seeing the mighty Rick Mears in his brilliant yellow Pennzoil machine roaring down the front stretch at well over 200 mph. That day ignited a love affair with the sport, and the racetrack, that has not flickered but grown stronger over the last 21 years. My first actual race, I'm told, was most likely at the Terre Haute Action Track not too long after...man, I miss watching Al Thomas at that place.

10/21/09, 5:27 AM	#4 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
cmakin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6,017	My first race was in the summer of '73. My folks took me to Hangtown (now Placerville) Speedway. I can't tell you who won, or even raced, though. I can tell you that I was ruined for life as soon as I set eyes on the track, though. Little did I know that I would be working in the booth just a short two years later. __________________ Be sure to visit www.manvelmotorsports.com. 2024 Robert Ballou Calendars are available.

10/21/09, 6:34 AM	#6 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Danny Burton Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,303	September, 1951, age about 1 month, Bloomington Speedway. Parents never told me who won, but I'll guess it was either Chuck Welsh or Barney Oldfield. :2: __________________ http://www.hoseheads.com/dannyb.html Quiet, numbskulls. I'm broadcasting.

10/21/09, 6:34 AM	#7 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
apexonephoto Senior Member Race Count This Year: 8 Race Count Last Year: 35 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,075	MIne was Checker Flag Raceway in Windsor, Ontario in 1978. I was less then a year old and they raced late models. The track has been gone for 17 years now. I live about five minutes away from the subdivision that occupies that land. The first dirt track I went to was Talladega Short Track in October 2002. First open wheel show I went to was a World of Outlaws race at the Dirt Track at Charlotte the week after. I sporadically hit races for a quite a few years, and since 2006 have managed to hit at least 40 races a year. _________________________________________________ Last edited by apexonephoto; 10/21/09 at 6:37 AM. Reason: too early, can't spell

10/21/09, 2:39 AM	#1 Where and when was your very first race?
Chris Nunn Senior Member Race Count This Year: 20 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,123	And do you remember who won? Open up those memory banks, share some stories Posted via Mobile Device

10/21/09, 3:25 AM	#2
ByronMack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 599	First dirt track race was Brownstown in 73 or 74 was 2 or 3. First sprint car race was Kings Royal early 80's. Steve Kinser won. Posted via Mobile Device

10/21/09, 5:53 AM	#5 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Barney Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 262	Haubstadt 1962. Henry Kempf won.

10/21/09, 7:17 AM	#8 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
interpreter66 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,272	heidleberg speedway, pittsburgh pa. 1967 don't remember who won (i was 7 ) do remember a wheel coming off of a car and finishing ahead of the car and thought that was cool!

10/21/09, 7:36 AM	#9 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
illinisprintfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 884	June 1968, age 2 months, to watch super modifieds at the old paved San Jose Speedway. I can't seem to recall who won though.

10/21/09, 7:38 AM	#10 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Jim Halpert Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 153	I was first introduced to my lifetime fascination when I was 4 years old...and no other place than the greatest of them all...the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I believe it was qualifications in 1988...and my only memory, my first racing memory whatsoever, was seeing the mighty Rick Mears in his brilliant yellow Pennzoil machine roaring down the front stretch at well over 200 mph. That day ignited a love affair with the sport, and the racetrack, that has not flickered but grown stronger over the last 21 years. My first actual race, I'm told, was most likely at the Terre Haute Action Track not too long after...man, I miss watching Al Thomas at that place.