Dandy don klein fan

10/25/09, 8:23 AM

Just joined this great site and looking for anyone knowing or remembering old dandy don. I moved to indy in 94 from collinsville, il. And the hardest part about leaving was knowing that we couldn't go see the champ every week. My wife and get there every chance we get, but just doesn't seem like enough. My oldest son is named after don and my other son is named after ray eby. I grew up at bellclair, lake hill, st charles and later i 55. Also knew arnie knepper very well. Looking forward to sharing some old stories with fans and freinds. One more thing... The old man just completed his 54th season, 6th in points and ready for 55.
My oldest son also races at the indianapolis speedrome and is currently the track record holder, segment 2 oval champion and figure 8 champion in the hornet division. We will move him up next year.

red70racer · 10/25/09, 8:34 AM

What a great guy, Don is always ready to talk and always has a smile.:2:
I am a midget guy that ended up with a ride in an Allied Modified (late model without fenders) needless to say I was as lost as could be with the slower reacting steering and acceleration. I went to Don Klein's pit and asked for help, he was generous with his knowledge.
Arnie Knepper was truly one of my hero's growing up, when I met him he was an Indy car driver, a big car driver and a master with a midget. As I was putting together my first midget Arnie was a go to guy. A true gentleman and the best story teller.
Thanks for taking me back to an earlier time
Jeff Palazzolo

Mud Packer · 10/25/09, 7:58 PM

Growing up in Southern Illinois, Belle Clair was my "home" track on Friday night. Dandy Don Klein owned that place back in the day. I have mentioned on this board before that Belle Clair is an excellent midget track. When I was growing up, unfortunately they didn't run enough midgets there in my opinion. Friday night though was the Allied Auto Racing Assocation show.

I moved to Indiana in 1973 so I missed a lot of Dandy Don's victories. Some of the other hot shoes during that time were Carl Springer, Kenny Schrumm, Charlie Johnson, Ray Eby, Wib Spaulding. Others who came along a little later were Ed Dixon, Mike Hammerle. Allied used to race three nights a week. Friday at Belle Clair and Sunday at St. Charles if memory serves me correctly. I don't remember where they ran on Saturday. Any help?

illiNOISE · 10/26/09, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtone

My oldest son also races at the indianapolis speedrome and is currently the track record holder, segment 2 oval champion and figure 8 champion in the hornet division. We will move him up next year.

I've just got to ask: Does the kid race a Ford like Dandy Don?

---------- Post added at 03:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud Packer

Allied used to race three nights a week. Friday at Belle Clair and Sunday at St. Charles if memory serves me correctly. I don't remember where they ran on Saturday. Any help?

Allied still runs at Pevely on Saturdays, in addition to Belle-Clair on Fridays. They also sanctioned races at Lake Hill one year. (I want to say somewhere in the '77-'79 timeframe.) And I believe they sanctioned races at Tri City for a short time in the early '90s.

10/27/09, 8:59 AM

No Don doesn't race a Ford like the Champ, but he will when we move up to stock or late model. He was given this ride by his employer just to see where it would lead. Well in two full seasons, he finish 2nd in points the first and got two championships the second, with 31 features, a Mini 125 championship, an All Star 200 Championship, a Track Record and a Figure 8 Championship with Record Wins. He drives a Dodge Neon, but that's ok, Dandy Don is sponser by Menard Chrysler Jeep and he still drives a Ford. If your are interested, Dandy Don's sister in law has a book out on his racing career. Let me know and I will get you the info. Also, have read Ken Schraders book, Got-a-race?

Jeff Gallaher
SGTONE28

9/29/10, 4:52 PM

I grew up in Ferguson MO. and my step dad raced at Bellclair, St. Charles, and Desoto. I was friends with Don's son Dennis and I watched him race every weekend for years. I went on to race myself and after all the drivers I have seen I still think Dandy Don is the best.

10/25/09, 7:58 PM	#3 Re: Dandy don klein fan
Mud Packer Senior Member Race Count Last Year: 59 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,093	Growing up in Southern Illinois, Belle Clair was my "home" track on Friday night. Dandy Don Klein owned that place back in the day. I have mentioned on this board before that Belle Clair is an excellent midget track. When I was growing up, unfortunately they didn't run enough midgets there in my opinion. Friday night though was the Allied Auto Racing Assocation show. I moved to Indiana in 1973 so I missed a lot of Dandy Don's victories. Some of the other hot shoes during that time were Carl Springer, Kenny Schrumm, Charlie Johnson, Ray Eby, Wib Spaulding. Others who came along a little later were Ed Dixon, Mike Hammerle. Allied used to race three nights a week. Friday at Belle Clair and Sunday at St. Charles if memory serves me correctly. I don't remember where they ran on Saturday. Any help? __________________ Mike Be nice to people on the way up. You might need them on the way down. Jimmy Durante

10/25/09, 8:23 AM	#1 Dandy don klein fan
sgtone Posts: n/a	Just joined this great site and looking for anyone knowing or remembering old dandy don. I moved to indy in 94 from collinsville, il. And the hardest part about leaving was knowing that we couldn't go see the champ every week. My wife and get there every chance we get, but just doesn't seem like enough. My oldest son is named after don and my other son is named after ray eby. I grew up at bellclair, lake hill, st charles and later i 55. Also knew arnie knepper very well. Looking forward to sharing some old stories with fans and freinds. One more thing... The old man just completed his 54th season, 6th in points and ready for 55. My oldest son also races at the indianapolis speedrome and is currently the track record holder, segment 2 oval champion and figure 8 champion in the hornet division. We will move him up next year.

10/27/09, 8:59 AM	#5 Re: Dandy don klein fan
sgtone Posts: n/a	No Don doesn't race a Ford like the Champ, but he will when we move up to stock or late model. He was given this ride by his employer just to see where it would lead. Well in two full seasons, he finish 2nd in points the first and got two championships the second, with 31 features, a Mini 125 championship, an All Star 200 Championship, a Track Record and a Figure 8 Championship with Record Wins. He drives a Dodge Neon, but that's ok, Dandy Don is sponser by Menard Chrysler Jeep and he still drives a Ford. If your are interested, Dandy Don's sister in law has a book out on his racing career. Let me know and I will get you the info. Also, have read Ken Schraders book, Got-a-race? Jeff Gallaher SGTONE28

9/29/10, 4:52 PM	#6 Re: Dandy don klein fan
cardsfan89 Posts: n/a	I grew up in Ferguson MO. and my step dad raced at Bellclair, St. Charles, and Desoto. I was friends with Don's son Dennis and I watched him race every weekend for years. I went on to race myself and after all the drivers I have seen I still think Dandy Don is the best.