Lake Hill Speedway?

[NoBrakesAllGas]

My grandfather raced latemodels at Lakehill Speedway. My father raced hobbystock at Lakehill Speedway also. I love to look at all the pictures my grandpa has. He even has film(s) from back then on an 8mm projector of the racing at Lakehill Speedway. The video has not faired well over the years though. One of my family members looked into having the film(s) restored but the person they took it to said it was a lost cause. I just recently got into dirt track with a friend that bought a car and we run at pevely. Old car photos are awesome to look at! The stories my family tells are awesome too!

Do it yourself. It may take alittle work but if you really want to save what you have and be able to pass it on down to future generations here is how you can do it.
Play the 8mm film which I suspect would be played on a small portable screen or white wall. While the film is being played film it with another video camcorder. Download this film to a computer and use video editing software available at most all electronics stores and edit it. Once you have it edited then you can burn it to a DVD and theoretically keep it forever.
If your camcorder does not have a output to USB for the connection to your computer you can connect the camcorder to a DVD recorder and make a DVD copy. Then install the DVD into your computer and download it that way. Like I said it might take alittle work but it sounds like the old film you have is worth saving. Good luck.

 

[rescue_flagger]

Does anyone have the physical address of Lake Hill Speedway? If there is going to be an open house I would love to suprise my dad with a trip to one of his old stomping grounds.

 

[racin90]

I don't really know what name any future development might have. I have only been involved with the property for about a month. I hate to admit, but I have not been a big racing fan (no offense, I just have a different hobby) and I really didn't know the track carried so many memories. But I do know that racing fans are two things: they are really into the sport and they are really good people. That's why I want to bring back some of the memories before the place is completely changed.

Right now I am busy just clearing junk and brush. The next step is to get the fish out of the track and then drain it. Who know what lies beneath. But even walking around on the small portion of track still above water I can feel the memories and the fun so many had at the place.

KEG

Its cool at least you address a public forum tellign people what your going to do..and possibly give some racers a time to go see it for 1 last time. Thanks...that place really was a racing ground back then.

 

[rescue_flagger]

I did some digging, and found a website with pictures of the track in its demise. I really wish there was a way to save the old track, like turn it into a midwest racing museum or something like that. But go check out these photos. It was thrilling for me to see them, even if the track is the way it is. To see the parts of the track above water, the same track my dad raced on in the mid 70's, brought tears to my eyes.

www.shootstlouis.com

keyword ghost track. there is about 46 pictures there.

 

[28jracer]

???

OK..........you internet/racing guru's can beat me up now Joe....We don't need your comments

Come on Fatz... what makes you think I was going to say anything?

I haven't commented on any of your other 30 posts!

Ok, since you THOUGHT I was gonna say something... here it is...

Paved... Dirt... Water... why do you care? Regardless of the surface, you'll be running in the rear anyway!

By the way... I have a few more e-mails to send you!

 

[KEG]

Does anyone have the physical address of Lake Hill Speedway? If there is going to be an open house I would love to suprise my dad with a trip to one of his old stomping grounds.

I don't know the exact address of the property, but it is ~800 Forest Avenue, Valley Park, Missouri 63088. Due to the overwhelming response, I will be sure we let everyone know when we will have an open house. It will probably be next October.

If for some reason you are not able to make it on that particular date (whatever date it turns out to be), I will be glad to invite you over on another date that works for you. I would open it up right now, but it is so overgrown, it is really hard to see much of anything. Check out the shootstlouis.com site, posted above. There you can see pictures of its current condition.

KEG

 

[rescue_flagger]

Thank you so much. I have had a google map on trying to find it in valley park. I was trying to find an aerial shot of what the track looks like today.

 

[Darkstar44]

Great memory

I raced one time at Lake Hill back in '78 or '79 with my dirt track sportsman. Jerry Sifford lapped me twice. The car spun the tires off of every corner until the engine let go. At the time I thought it was a really bad idea to go there that night, but now, I'm really glad I did. Not too many of us old guys left still racing who can say they raced there even once. I miss the place.
Brian Eaves #44

 

[rescue_flagger]

My dad's name is Larry Jones. I'm unsure of what class he ran there, sportsman I think. His car was mainly brown with white lettering. 31 was his number. He started racing there in 75 or 76.

 

[fastone]

lake hill

please get of hold of dandy don klein he is one of the winningest driveres that ever raced there he is currently restoring the old ford coupe that he raced there for many years it would be neat to see a reunion there this fall i would be there i do remember going there when i was a kid .

 

[rescue_flagger]

You know, I suppose it's a long shot. But what if the track could be restored to its former glory. I understand its to be tore down, and its sad to hear that. It's a part of racing history in the mid-west. It really would be nice to see it saved. But if that can't happen, how about some type of souvenier from the track, like a peice of the ashphalt for the people that used to race there? It's just a thought as I look at the pictures more and more.

 

[dirt hound]

found the track on google it's a big green oval(water) between to 2 sets or railroad tracks

 

[NoBrakesAllGas]

please get of hold of dandy don klein he is one of the winningest driveres that ever raced there he is currently restoring the old ford coupe that he raced there for many years it would be neat to see a reunion there this fall i would be there i do remember going there when i was a kid .

Gundaker and Dixon raced there too. I will always remember the tunnel that the fans and cars had to go thru to get to the track. If you got there early enough and all the cars were lined up waiting to get into the track you could just stand in one spot and talk to all the racers as they past thru. I cant count all the time I asked as a kid " hey you going to win tonight" and the reply was always " you bet!"

 

[PITDRIFTER]

Gundaker and Dixon raced there too.

MIKE HAMMERLE AND CARL SPRINGER ALSO. BOTH THOSE GUYS ARE ALL FOR TELLING STORIES.

 

[wheelman1]

dont forget Donnie klein and Jerry sifford who used to put on some of the best shows racing each other there



what i would not give for 1 more time to see the track and to listen to the drivers tell their story about racing there

 

[partsman]

The stories need to be told again

Some of the best in the business "turned the wheels" there. Larry Phillips,
Dean Roper,Kenyon,Tattersall,Wente,Caruthers.............it's been gone a long time but it seems like only yesterday. I hope there is a open house so some of the remaining "old timers" can tell some of those stories that will be lost like the track .

 

[circleleft18]

pave it 4 1 more day at the track, that sounds like a smart idea.. have a nice day..

...................uhhhhhhh!.......nevermind...LOL

 

[circleleft18]

Paved... Dirt... Water... why do you care? Regardless of the surface, you'll be running in the rear anyway!

By the way... I have a few more e-mails to send you!

Well.......it didn't used to be like that........hehe.....and NO MORE Emails you sicko

Sifford told me a story about Larry Phillips coming up and just waxin' everyones Azz at Lakehill....when they tore him down he was not only legal, he was running a hydraulic cam

Keg can we do a little fishing there before you drain it

 

[KEG]

Keg can we do a little fishing there before you drain it

Your are more than welcome to fish out the race track. I need to get the fish out before I drain it. But I'm hesitant to have you come by in its current state. It is just such a mess. Give me a few more weeks and then send me a note.

If anyone wants to catch me at the site to fish or look around, you can call or e-mail me at:

Kim Gardner
314.842.9600
keg99@softhome.net (but please, if you e-mail me, put "Lakehill" in the subject line. I get so much Spam that I might just delete your message and not even know it.)

 

[JGRacing]

I would love to see the place before it is developed. The track really deserves a farewell party. Thanks KEG for offering everyone a chance to see it as a track one more time.