Brandon Paul
Free agent score guy
lwb said:
Would one of the other two cars being restored be the 71-73 vintage Mustang that he ran in the mid 80s at Pevely and the Charley Bowl? That one has always been my favorite Klein car.
Growing up at the track
- Thread starter Parts Gal
- Start date
Would one of the other two cars being restored be the 71-73 vintage Mustang that he ran in the mid 80s at Pevely and the Charley Bowl? That one has always been my favorite Klein car.
Response to Bad Bob.
Yes, I remember Skip Shipley (#?) at Lake Hill. Also saw Harold (Habe) Haberling race at Walsh Stadium in a season-opening Sunday afternoon race.
This was unusual because the AARA drivers seldom raced at Walsh because both Walsh and Belleville ran on Friday nights. Haberling drove a car #340 and the number was painted upside down, car was called the UpsideDown340 by the announcer. Sadly, after I moved to Oregon in 1956 I read in the paper about "Habe" being killed in a Modified at Daytona which must have been after 1959 because that is when the "big track" opened and they quit racing on the beach. I also remember the famous 66/99 car.
I remember a driver named "Wild Bill" Slater that raced at Belleclair in the early 50's. It seemed like he must have won a lot of races there because his name was always in the Saturday morning Globe-Democrat in the Belleville results. I think he may have lived down around Kohler City.
Anyone remember a track at a place called Valley Mount Ranch?? I recall seeing the ads in the St. Louis paper (early 50's) that advertised some races there but never saw any results in the papers. I think the track was located somewhere in the western suburbs of St. Louis.
Someone had a thread on here about old tracks in the St. Louis area. I remember seeing a track just south of Flat River on the east side of highway.
Was this the one called "Leadbelt Speedway"?? Another track I saw mentioned was the one at Wentzville. I never saw a race there but stopped and looked at it once while visiting an uncle in Wentzville. The track was located next to a Ford dealership owned by Bob Swantner and was called Swantnerville Spdy.
As I recall, the track itself was a carbon copy of Lake Hill and Belleclair and had very high banking. I will send in more names from that era as I recall them. I am still waiting to hear from someone who may remember my cousin George L. Bennett who drove the black #7 (37 Chevy coupe) at Lake Hill. I am pretty sure that he was one of the early members of that group that ran there in the early 50's.
RBBurben
Yes, I remember Skip Shipley (#?) at Lake Hill. Also saw Harold (Habe) Haberling race at Walsh Stadium in a season-opening Sunday afternoon race.
This was unusual because the AARA drivers seldom raced at Walsh because both Walsh and Belleville ran on Friday nights. Haberling drove a car #340 and the number was painted upside down, car was called the UpsideDown340 by the announcer. Sadly, after I moved to Oregon in 1956 I read in the paper about "Habe" being killed in a Modified at Daytona which must have been after 1959 because that is when the "big track" opened and they quit racing on the beach. I also remember the famous 66/99 car.
I remember a driver named "Wild Bill" Slater that raced at Belleclair in the early 50's. It seemed like he must have won a lot of races there because his name was always in the Saturday morning Globe-Democrat in the Belleville results. I think he may have lived down around Kohler City.
Anyone remember a track at a place called Valley Mount Ranch?? I recall seeing the ads in the St. Louis paper (early 50's) that advertised some races there but never saw any results in the papers. I think the track was located somewhere in the western suburbs of St. Louis.
Someone had a thread on here about old tracks in the St. Louis area. I remember seeing a track just south of Flat River on the east side of highway.
Was this the one called "Leadbelt Speedway"?? Another track I saw mentioned was the one at Wentzville. I never saw a race there but stopped and looked at it once while visiting an uncle in Wentzville. The track was located next to a Ford dealership owned by Bob Swantner and was called Swantnerville Spdy.
As I recall, the track itself was a carbon copy of Lake Hill and Belleclair and had very high banking. I will send in more names from that era as I recall them. I am still waiting to hear from someone who may remember my cousin George L. Bennett who drove the black #7 (37 Chevy coupe) at Lake Hill. I am pretty sure that he was one of the early members of that group that ran there in the early 50's.
RBBurben
BAD BOB
sick & twisted old man
Rb Burbon
There is a George L. Bennett living in Piedmont, Mo.
I don't know if hes the one you're looking for, but he
should be in his 60s now. (Sorry, just found out he died in the late 90s)
how about Max Welton Stadium, located @ St. Charles Rk. Rd.
and Pennsylvania av. (now a cemetery) Gangster owned and used
for target practice, shooting at targets in the stands while driving around
the track..as i was growing up, about all that was left was the
grandstand area..I hav a book written by John Auble about the
St. Louis gangsters and he wrote about the Welton gang and the
race track.
There is a George L. Bennett living in Piedmont, Mo.
I don't know if hes the one you're looking for, but he
should be in his 60s now. (Sorry, just found out he died in the late 90s)
how about Max Welton Stadium, located @ St. Charles Rk. Rd.
and Pennsylvania av. (now a cemetery) Gangster owned and used
for target practice, shooting at targets in the stands while driving around
the track..as i was growing up, about all that was left was the
grandstand area..I hav a book written by John Auble about the
St. Louis gangsters and he wrote about the Welton gang and the
race track.
BAD BOB
sick & twisted old man
At one time or another,all the drivers i mentioned (except Shipley)
drove for Bud & walt Jeune, who had a repair shop in wellston, Mo.
for years they ran the late 30s, early 40s ford coupes.. painted
black with a white Falstaff Beer emblem on the door with their
shop name running thru it..#16
drove for Bud & walt Jeune, who had a repair shop in wellston, Mo.
for years they ran the late 30s, early 40s ford coupes.. painted
black with a white Falstaff Beer emblem on the door with their
shop name running thru it..#16
BAD BOB
sick & twisted old man
At age 10, I walked from Wellston, Mo. to Walsh Stadium every
friday afternoon after school, waited til the pits filled up then snuck
thru a hole in the fence, then between the cars and into the grandstand
area. on more than one occasion, Joe Scheen would see us and
run after us, but I din't think he really wanted to catch us. After the races,
we would jump on the back of Joe Simpkin's tow truck & catch a ride
home..
friday afternoon after school, waited til the pits filled up then snuck
thru a hole in the fence, then between the cars and into the grandstand
area. on more than one occasion, Joe Scheen would see us and
run after us, but I din't think he really wanted to catch us. After the races,
we would jump on the back of Joe Simpkin's tow truck & catch a ride
home..
Walsh Stadium
To Bad Bob: The George L. Bennett you mentioned was my cousin. We all grew up down in Wayne County around Piedmont, Patterson and Baker State Park. At the time George raced at Lake Hill he lived in St. Ann and worked for Emerson Electric. He later became a long haul trucker and would visit his relatives here in Oregon when he passed through the area.. In fact, although he had been out of racing for a few years, he drove my car in a race at Hollywood Bowl in Salem, Oregon in the early 60's.
If you were walking to the races after school on Friday nights at Walsh, we probably crossed paths. I lived in south St. Louis near the intersection of Lafayette and Jefferson and walked to Walsh Stadium and back many, many times. Shaheen was the promoter and I hung out by the pit gate to watch the drivers sign in. Do you recall Shaheens wife using the trunk of their car for a sign in office? As I recall, she was a blonde lady and I had a "crush" on her. Ha!
The time period that I went to Walsh Stadium would have been between 1950 and June of 1956 when I moved to Oregon.
I returned to the St. Louis area around 10 years later for vacations. I'm not sure of the exact years but during one trip to Lake Hill it was still dirt and the following year it had been paved. I also visited Belleville, Tri-City, St. Charles and Fredericktown during those vacation visits. Another racing cousin, Bob Bennett, still lives in the Fredericktown area. I am not sure but I think he was a track champion at one of the tracks down that way.
It's great to read about people who grew up at the race tracks.
Later.....RBBURBEN
To Bad Bob: The George L. Bennett you mentioned was my cousin. We all grew up down in Wayne County around Piedmont, Patterson and Baker State Park. At the time George raced at Lake Hill he lived in St. Ann and worked for Emerson Electric. He later became a long haul trucker and would visit his relatives here in Oregon when he passed through the area.. In fact, although he had been out of racing for a few years, he drove my car in a race at Hollywood Bowl in Salem, Oregon in the early 60's.
If you were walking to the races after school on Friday nights at Walsh, we probably crossed paths. I lived in south St. Louis near the intersection of Lafayette and Jefferson and walked to Walsh Stadium and back many, many times. Shaheen was the promoter and I hung out by the pit gate to watch the drivers sign in. Do you recall Shaheens wife using the trunk of their car for a sign in office? As I recall, she was a blonde lady and I had a "crush" on her. Ha!
The time period that I went to Walsh Stadium would have been between 1950 and June of 1956 when I moved to Oregon.
I returned to the St. Louis area around 10 years later for vacations. I'm not sure of the exact years but during one trip to Lake Hill it was still dirt and the following year it had been paved. I also visited Belleville, Tri-City, St. Charles and Fredericktown during those vacation visits. Another racing cousin, Bob Bennett, still lives in the Fredericktown area. I am not sure but I think he was a track champion at one of the tracks down that way.
It's great to read about people who grew up at the race tracks.
Later.....RBBURBEN
well, I grew up at ST Charles speedway, Tri City, and Belleville speedway. I liked Happy Pappy Hayes (who died at ST Charles Speedway) Mike Hammerlee, Terry Hall and others. I stayed on the hill at St Charles speed way and have been a fan for 23 years. Hammerlee is still a close friend and so is Ken Scrader and the Halls. I have met new people along the years and still keep in touch, as we all know, race fans are the best and we all are a big family. I do have my favorite drivers now, Archambault N1, Walsh 1W, Mike Hammerelee16, Haney, Conyorer, Shepard, Faust,Moyer, Dixon, Scrader,Steve Shive,Weber, and more. I do not like to pick just one, I do like a good show and drivers giving it all they have to win, I do not like dirty drivers and we all know there are alot of them. Racing is not what it use to be, I am getting older and my fondest memories are those at the tracks.Like I said, I have met a lot of people and I can proudly say they are still my friends and my BEST OF FRIENDS. I will always love my local dirt tracks and drivers.
Parts Gal
Linda Schaefer
racelvr....When you see the Halls tell them hi for me.Terry & I grew up together at the track watching everyone from Kenny Schrum to Dan Banderett etc.Those truly were the good old days.St. Charles holds a special place in my memory bank as well. To bad my daughter won't get to race there. It would be the 3rd generation of my family to race there.
Linda
Linda
racer94
Active Member
i been around racing since i was 3 months old,my father says my mom took me every weekend in my punkin seat,he said i never fussed a bit.now i can remember going to the races every weekend from the time i was 5 years old,to capital speedway in holt summit missouri.i remember rooting for my dad in both the late models and modifieds,i rooted for steve payne,vic bentlage and larry phillips alot.after the races i was always down in the pits with my dad hanging out with all the boys and always getting autographs,that is what i loved as a kid,and there isnt one weekend after im done racing that i dont talk to the little fans and all the poeple.i always hated when moyer and bloomquist come to town,i always wanted to talk to them and they were never interested.i could go on all day about rcing growing up,when you have 4 generations of racers in your family you have alot of good stories and memories.
hell i can remember one night my dad stayed after the races partying with the usual crowd,they got home and passed out.well the next day we went to unload the car and wash it and turns out the car wasnt there,come to find out dad and the crew were a little drunk and didnt tie it down,the car rolled off the trailer before they got out of the race track parking lot and they never even new it,ahhh the good ol days!!
hell i can remember one night my dad stayed after the races partying with the usual crowd,they got home and passed out.well the next day we went to unload the car and wash it and turns out the car wasnt there,come to find out dad and the crew were a little drunk and didnt tie it down,the car rolled off the trailer before they got out of the race track parking lot and they never even new it,ahhh the good ol days!!
geislerfan
Member
My Dad Was The Start Finish Line Flag Man In Desoto. My [late] Uncle Co Owned The 2+2 Of Red Mckeen. I Grew Up Watching Don Klein, Everett Forshee,gene "tubby" Black,gordon Mallery,etc... I Remember Thrill Hill. I Mainly Go To I55, Or Sfcr On Saturdays Now. Been To Tri City A Few Times, Also Poplar Bluff.
PITDRIFTER
Motorsports
Racerrod said:
THAT WAS A VERY SAD NIGHT. IN ALL THE YEARS OF SEEING PAPPY GRAY AT THE TRACK I NEVER SPOKE TO HIM UNTIL THAT NIGHT. ME AND A COUPLE OF BUDDIES WERE SITTING ON THE BACK STRETCH WITH A COOLER OF BEER. PAPPY CAME UP AND SAT JUST IN FRONT OF US TO THE LEFT. WE GOT TO SHOOTING THE BREEZE WITH HIM. NEXT THING WE KNEW HE WAS GONE.
I THINK WE ALL FEEL LIKE OUR FONDEST TIMES AT THE TRACK ARE FROM DAYS GONE BY. OUR KIDS WILL FEEL THE SAME ABOUT THE RACES THEY ARE WATCHING NOW.
RACING DEFINITELY ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE THOUGH. I WAS TALKING TO MY DAD THE OTHER DAY. HE WAS RECALLING SOME OLD RACING MEMORIES. HE USED TO BUM AROUND WITH ELMER LOWERY. HE SAID ELMER BLEW AN ENGINE ONE NIGHT AND DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER. HE HAD AN OLD DESOTO MOTOR OUT UNDER A TREE. NO PLUGS IN IT BEEN OUT IN THE RAIN. HE SAID ELMER SAYS " I THINK I'LL PUT THAT IN THERE. DAD SAID HE DID, GOT IT RUNNING AND WON THE FEATURE NEXT TIME OUT. THAT DEFINITELY WOULDN'T HAPPEN TODAY.
racin441
RACIN441
Well I grew up at the local racetracks of Highland and Pevely. My father was racing then, and my mother took me when I was just a week old, and I've been going ever since. My father started out racing the #28 car and then changed to #92. When my father quit racing, my brother Rick took over and I always went and watched him. Now my brother has chosen not to continue racing and now of all people I have my husband racing the #441 streetstock...so you can pretty much say the tradition lives on....just wait Aaron, your son is next....so just to say WHENEVER my husband gives it up I have the joy of looking forward to my son driving race cars also. So far I haven't heard anything about my girls wanting to drive later but hey if they do....so be it....girls can drive to.....that's my story....we pretty much visit Highland, Belleville, Pevely and Godfrey occasionally. As far as who I hung out with back then....can't remember...that was SO long ago.
Keep on racin'
Brenda Melton
racin441
I have been going to the races since I was born and have seen the good(Rick Rhoades at godfrey in the bomber on the top) the bad( the official at white city racetrack who was killed) and the ugly (when I believe it was Freddie Smith at Pevely take Kevin Gundaker around the track by his head/arm and let him go) racing has changed so much from when I was young I remember John and Tom Seets and their family racing together Steve Meyers Sr., Hammerle used to like Dixon back in the day, Now I really like to watch Jeff Leka, Rodney Melvin, Rick Rhoades (in whatever he drives its always interesting) Stevie Meyers Jr., and even though I am not a fan of his-Mike Harrison just to see who he will take out next hoping its not our car. Of course my most favorite driver is Bart Reese in the #49 modified just a rookie this year but look out if he ever figures it out!!!!!
#1 MELVIN, REESE FAN!!!!!!
#1 MELVIN, REESE FAN!!!!!!
Dauminator5
Zach
I went to the races since i was 1 yr old i didnt remeber that much until i started racing when i was 5 in 1/4 midgets. My dad used to race sportmans modifieds late models everything. That was in the old days (for me at least im on 14) My dad is Dan Daum and at 1 time or another you prolly got together with him lol.Then when i turned 5 and i started racing he put Jason Connoyer in the car and Jason did really good he got Rookie of the Year and he only finished outside of the top ten like 2 or 3 times.Now i have graduated into 600 Micro Sorints and a full blown midget and i have a lot more stories of me racing then my dad b/c i was to young to remeber.
jclewis67
Member
Ahhhh the Memories!!!!
I began going to the races at i55 and Belleville when I was around 4 years old. I loved to watch my dad (Chuck Lewis) race. He didn't have a lot of money back then, but had a great time doing what he loved. During that time, I also enjoyed watching Bill Laycock, Don Klein, Mike Hammerlee, and Ed Dixon. When I was 14, my Dad stopped racing and by design so did I.
About 5 years ago, I met back up with my old friend Billy Laycock and began lending a hand on the crew at Tri-City. Since then, I haven't looked back, and often times wish the week would go by quicker so that I can get to the track and see and hear the sounds of good old dirt track racing.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could see my Dad in a Modified or even a Late Model one more time. Who knows, perhaps I will win the lottery, but until then I will be at one track or another whenever I can be.
Jeff Lewis
LMI Racing 82
I began going to the races at i55 and Belleville when I was around 4 years old. I loved to watch my dad (Chuck Lewis) race. He didn't have a lot of money back then, but had a great time doing what he loved. During that time, I also enjoyed watching Bill Laycock, Don Klein, Mike Hammerlee, and Ed Dixon. When I was 14, my Dad stopped racing and by design so did I.
About 5 years ago, I met back up with my old friend Billy Laycock and began lending a hand on the crew at Tri-City. Since then, I haven't looked back, and often times wish the week would go by quicker so that I can get to the track and see and hear the sounds of good old dirt track racing.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could see my Dad in a Modified or even a Late Model one more time. Who knows, perhaps I will win the lottery, but until then I will be at one track or another whenever I can be.
Jeff Lewis
LMI Racing 82
Kayte04
Class of 2004
Ahh this is one of the best posts ive read on STL!
Well I started going to the races March 30th 1997 ( I remember that because its my birthday lol) when i turned 11 years old, w/ my uncle Darin Matlock 74 Sportsman, and my dad Steve Dietz. I mean i remember them working countless hours in the garage on the car but I don't remember much i mean i was 11, a girl, and i was only at the races for the HOT GUYs and them awesome cheese sticks at godfrey lol! then about 14 after my dad had put together a car in 2000, i actually started paying attention and finding out the real techniques of racing, My dad no longer races but a few memories i have are when my dad was racing at Bond County, he got spun around and hit the front wall, and tow truck bob, (lmfao) was telling my dad to come on back or something or another, and my dad SLAMMED right into the back of the nice looking blue truck that was used to pull him out, haha! and then awwh hell broke loose...lol i also remember a great deal of using sheet metal for pit passes at St. Charles, I really wanted to go into the pits, cuz my 2 favorite drivers were racing (Randy Hanks, and Chris Simmerman) and i loved hanging out w/ Linda and Debbie Simmerman, so i put me on a fake pit pass and it actually worked I walked write threw that gate haha I thought i was Hott Stuff back then...then i ended up going in the middle, and sat in the race car and fell asleep, aww...haha...
ONE OF MY FAVORTE MEMORIES, WAS WHEN MY DAD AND RANDY HANKS WRECKED THE BOX TRUCK ON THE WAY TO GODFREY, my mom had a 97 firebird w/ me Brittnie hanks and dylan hanks, and someone else so my mom had to drop me off at amaco, and then go back and find out what happened and stuff then the next thing you know you see the rig and a tow truck pullin them along right up to godfrey speedway haahaha AND JAMES PRICE PULLED THE BOX TRUCK W/ THE RACE CAR ON THE TRAILER INTO THE PITS, THAT WAS HALLARIOUS...THEN THAT NIGHT AFTER THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE BOX VAN, THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE RACE CAR, WHAT A NIGHT! HAHA
But now adays, my favorite drivers are
Randy Hanks
Chris Simmerman(now hes got talant)
STUEY SPRINGER
Ive been all over, and made ALOT of awesome friends...the races are alot more interesting and more competetive in the last 8 years that i have been going..
Im thinking about putting me together a car, but not sure what tho? hmmm?
Good Luck everyone
Well I started going to the races March 30th 1997 ( I remember that because its my birthday lol) when i turned 11 years old, w/ my uncle Darin Matlock 74 Sportsman, and my dad Steve Dietz. I mean i remember them working countless hours in the garage on the car but I don't remember much i mean i was 11, a girl, and i was only at the races for the HOT GUYs and them awesome cheese sticks at godfrey lol! then about 14 after my dad had put together a car in 2000, i actually started paying attention and finding out the real techniques of racing, My dad no longer races but a few memories i have are when my dad was racing at Bond County, he got spun around and hit the front wall, and tow truck bob, (lmfao) was telling my dad to come on back or something or another, and my dad SLAMMED right into the back of the nice looking blue truck that was used to pull him out, haha! and then awwh hell broke loose...lol i also remember a great deal of using sheet metal for pit passes at St. Charles, I really wanted to go into the pits, cuz my 2 favorite drivers were racing (Randy Hanks, and Chris Simmerman) and i loved hanging out w/ Linda and Debbie Simmerman, so i put me on a fake pit pass and it actually worked I walked write threw that gate haha I thought i was Hott Stuff back then...then i ended up going in the middle, and sat in the race car and fell asleep, aww...haha...
ONE OF MY FAVORTE MEMORIES, WAS WHEN MY DAD AND RANDY HANKS WRECKED THE BOX TRUCK ON THE WAY TO GODFREY, my mom had a 97 firebird w/ me Brittnie hanks and dylan hanks, and someone else so my mom had to drop me off at amaco, and then go back and find out what happened and stuff then the next thing you know you see the rig and a tow truck pullin them along right up to godfrey speedway haahaha AND JAMES PRICE PULLED THE BOX TRUCK W/ THE RACE CAR ON THE TRAILER INTO THE PITS, THAT WAS HALLARIOUS...THEN THAT NIGHT AFTER THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE BOX VAN, THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE RACE CAR, WHAT A NIGHT! HAHA
But now adays, my favorite drivers are
Randy Hanks
Chris Simmerman(now hes got talant)
STUEY SPRINGER
Ive been all over, and made ALOT of awesome friends...the races are alot more interesting and more competetive in the last 8 years that i have been going..
Im thinking about putting me together a car, but not sure what tho? hmmm?
Good Luck everyone
