Simviation Forums

This is my Dads race car, the first photo was
taken in 1939 at Fort Smith Arkansas, Flying
Saucer Speedway, one mile round track, no
straights!! He raced 1939/40 and then 1946/47.
The car sat until 1978, then was completely
rebuilt and taken around the country to show
off until 1983 when it was loaned to a museum.
The cost of restoration was $15,000 and the
car is currently worth $70,000.
The second photo was at Thunder Valley Speedway,
Fayetteville Arkansas, in 1982,
The car weighs 1100 pounds Has 268 ci. and has
been clocked at 133 MPH. The engine is a Furguson
Tractor block with all Wenfield racing parts, Making
about 300 HP at 6000RPM. It's a Alki' burner!!
My father was a WW2 pilot and received several
medals from US and Britian, He was killed in a
plane crash Thanksgiving day 1962 south of Witchia
Kansas, He worked for United Airlines, But was not
in a United plane at the time!!
He flew mail from Dallas to Kansas City in 1929/31
He worked for several aircraft companys, as a pilot
and a welder, until the start of the war, He flew
P-51s and P-38s and later was a carrier landing
instructor at Blyeville Air Corp Camp, Blyeville Ark.
I was told he had 30 to 45 "Kills" mostly trains!!
Three confirmed Aircraft!!
I did not know my father very well, but his friends
have made me proud to be his son!! I have been
told "He knew no fear, or wasn't smart enough to
know what it was "!!

Hey Brad, sounds like your Dad was "is" a great man. Definatley liked speed!!!
Sorry to hear of your loss. Even though he is not with you today, his memories will never die.
Cherish your time with Kimber, I am sure he watches over you both.

I think you should put this post in "The Cafe"..
Alot more people might see it. I for one never even look in the autos section.

Dave  

Even in this day of modern technology, nothing can top an old B&W photo, when it comes to, putting yourself in that moment. Sometimes we forget that our parents were young too. Unfortunately, I came to this realization at my Grandfather's funeral while staring at a collage of his B&W photos. With all the
WWII downloading that goes on at this site, I can bet that there is more than a few us here that belong to the" I was born too late" club.  Just remember, someone might look at us one day and say "that must have been a cool time to be alive!" Live for the day.
                    Sorry for you're loss. Cool car, by the way.

He must have been brave to drive that, it reminds me of the gorgeous old Bugatti racers of the 30s, lovely but dangerous. A bit like some women I've known....
Be proud and never forget X.

Ozzy

Ozzy;

I drove the car at Indy, not in the race ,
but at the track, we were racing midgets, 1980,
and got permission to take it to the big track,
Tom Senvea [spelling?]was testing and let me have
3 laps, A day I will never forget!!
Thank you all for the replys

Brad

That is one beautiful car. . .Your dad sounds like a very amazing and interesting man. . .sorry that he is not with you now


.

That is one hell of a car X, and one hell of a man that drove it.

I'm not sure which took more guts, driving the car in a 1930's race or flying against the Nazi's!

Will