13 replies to this topic

[circa1939]

Have been looking for more info on Gus Zarka, but haven't found it. I know he was from a town only about 15 miles from where I live today, Doyelstown, PA. I see a "Gus Zarka" listed on the net, but his age as per Ancestry.com says he's only about 64 yrs old and the number is unlisted!

Just wondering if anyone has anymore info on the old fellow? Was thinking of looking up the relatives if he's passed away.
Thank you.

[fines]

You've picked a hard one!;)

August "Gus" Zarka, born Aug 26 in 1909, almost always listed as living in Doylestown (exceptions are probably due to typos or entrant's hometowns!), died Aug 20 in 1993, apparently in Arizona. Possible middle name Elias. Raced AAA Big Cars 1932 to '41, minimum. Always mired in midfield, even at small meetings - means he won the occasional consy, not much else.

Drove a Lycoming special at first, ca. 1932 to '35, then an Ambler/Hisso (#66), e.g. in both Vanderbilt Cup races, 1936 and '37. Usually ran in Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey, but made the occasional trip to the Midwest (Wisconsin, Iowa). Most impressive result was a third place in a 25-miler at Langhorne (apparently his favourite track), driving a "Flathead Special" - perhaps an early V8, or a Winfield 4, who knows? - on July 31 in 1938: he was the only driver (apart from Rex Mays) not lapped by winner Duke Nalon, in a classy field! Finished 17th in AAA Eastern Circuit points in 1939, with 136 (Joie Chitwood was Champion with 914).

Pictured in his Ambler/Hisso at Milwaukee in 1937 in Johnny Gerber's book "Outlaw Sprint Car Racer", p240.

[fines]

Gus built his "Lycoming Special" himself in 1932, according to a Doylestown paper. It wasn't quite ready for the Reading race in July, but made its first bow at Langhorne on August 13, i.e. it definitely practised (and experienced overheating problems), though whether it actually qualified and started in any of the races that day is less clear. I have the top five finishers of the three heats and the top three of the consy, and there's no sign of Zarka and his Lycoming, which is hardly surprising given the quality of the field.

I have Gus Zarka also in the final standings of the 1938 AAA Eastern Circuit: 16th, with 147 points, against 484 markers for the Champion Duke Nalon.

[fines]

There's another picture of Gus in "Dirt Track Auto Racing" by the late Don Radbruch, p221, but you've probably already found that. It's undated, and I'd love to nail it: he's sitting in a #19 "HAL Special", with some advertising on the bonnet "... ALINER, H. R. Gehman, DOYLESTOWN, PENNA." - could that be his 1938 "Flathead Special"? Did Harry Hosterman ever built flatheads?? Do we have a Hal specialist here???

More interesting is perhaps the car in the background, #36 "RIVERSIDE TIRE" - Ted Nyquist ran the ex-Billy Winn DO Fronty with #36 in the area, but 1935 is perhaps a tad early for the pic, and Gus was still driving his Lycoming then. Also, the Montgomery Ward "Riverside" tyres weren't really advertised much in racing until 1938, if at all. Nyquist, again, drove a #36 Miller (for Mark Light, apparently) in 1937, but even that would appear a bit early, and Zarka was probably still driving his Ambler/Hisso then.

:

[circa1939]

Originally posted by fines
More interesting is perhaps the car in the background, #36 "RIVERSIDE TIRE" - Ted Nyquist ran the ex-Billy Winn DO Fronty with #36 in the area, but 1935 is perhaps a tad early for the pic, and Gus was still driving his Lycoming then. Also, the Montgomery Ward "Riverside" tyres weren't really advertised much in racing until 1938, if at all. Nyquist, again, drove a #36 Miller (for Mark Light, apparently) in 1937, but even that would appear a bit early, and Zarka was probably still driving his Ambler/Hisso then.

: [/B]

One thing I noted about Riverside tires. Coincidentaly, I was just reading a bit in my copy of "Outlaw Sprint Car Racer", John Gerber's Autobiography last night, chapter thirteen dealing specifically with his 1932 racing season.

By Gerber's recollection, quote:

"...it was Gus who got Montgomery Ward Company interested in auto racing. He had them make some special rib tread tires suitable for use on the front wheels of a racing car and contracted for the use of his name in advertising. Monygomery Ward gave race car owners a special discount on their Riverside tires and several car owners signed contracts to carry the Riverside brand name on their cars. Also, Montgomery Ward quite often had tire service trucks at the races. All this helped make Montgomery Ward tires popular."

This means that the Riverside Tire was often seen and gained much popularity fairly quick, by the advertisement gained at tracks and by cars with the Riverside Montgomery Ward tire on the side of their cars. Endorsements were seen everywhere and this was 1932. By 1933, one year later, the audiences across the nation were exposed to the Riverside name and Montgomery Ward's tire business grew much before 1938.

I spoke with Don Radbruch's wife just yesterday afternoon, Don was a very detailed man, making sure to really do his homework and pass aong info to the very best of his ability for others to learn from. I think 1935 for that photo of Zarka would be accurate. I've talked with several who knew Don Radbruch personally, and they all agreed that he was a guy who really took pleasure in research and history.

Boy did I get on the ball late in the game,s ure wish I met and talked with him before he passed away! Don's wife said he would have loved to have talked with me, I share that sentiment likewise.

[fines]

Gerber's and Schrader's ways did not cross again after 1932, because Gus went IMCA and Johnny AAA. I think that's the reason that quote appeared in the 1932 chapter, I really don't think Riverside sponsored any cars before 1937, when Schrader got his new car. He sold his old car to Bob Sall that year, and I have never seen a picture of it with "Riverside" on it, until it was owned by Ted Horn in the forties.

Both Emory Collins and Gus Schrader ran "MONTGOMERY WARD SPECIAL" on their cars in 1936, but not "Riverside"! And there was almost certainly no "Riverside" sponsorship in AAA racing until Ted Horn in 1938, and to my knowledge Gus Zarka always ran AAA.

I have great respect for Don Radbruch's research, but there are several wrongly dated pictures in his book, including at least one post-WW2, despite the title ("1919-1941"). Believe me, it's VERY easy to get these things wrong!

[circa1939]

Originally posted by fines
Gerber's and Schrader's ways did not cross again after 1932, because Gus went IMCA and Johnny AAA. I think that's the reason that quote appeared in the 1932 chapter, I really don't think Riverside sponsored any cars before 1937, when Schrader got his new car. He sold his old car to Bob Sall that year, and I have never seen a picture of it with "Riverside" on it, until it was owned by Ted Horn in the forties.

So then Gerber's notes are incorrect?

Not that I'm all that leanred about a lot of this, but I'll tell you, I've read a lot of autobiographies, and I'm really impressed that John Gerber's is so detailed, he kept a LOT of notes, written in the timer period of their happeneing.

[fines]

Originally posted by circa1939
So then Gerber's notes are incorrect?

I have no reason to believe that.



EDIT: I now realise that you are playing games with me: Don Radbruch's picture is not dated at all, and the Gerber quote says nothing about Riverside ads in 1932! I am too tired to right now for an adequate response, but what is it that you want? This is annoying!

[circa1939]

Originally posted by fines



I have no reason to believe that.



EDIT: I now realise that you are playing games with me: Don Radbruch's picture is not dated at all, and the Gerber quote says nothing about Riverside ads in 1932! I am too tired to right now for an adequate response, but what is it that you want? This is annoying!

Playing games with you?? Are you serious?

I posted the info about Riverside tires regarding what I had just read the night before in John Gerber's autobiography, "Outlaw Sprint Car Racer," because I thought it would be of interest to you to know that Gus Schrader pretty much got the wheels spinning (no pun intended) with Montgomery Ward and getting their Riverside tires out in the market by contracting with them.

I can't understand where you're coming from, but honestly you need to relaxe! By your postings it seems like you think you are always right aout EVERYTHING. :

I personally took you for a fellow who enjoyed sharing and learning, but I'm now reconsidering this view of you in light of your strange attitude towards my input about the time frame you came up with, backed up by the galvanized fact that I quoted a man who lived it, and wrote about it. Please read what you write, and take the time to read what I write and not skim through it. Then maybe we can bypass the misunderstandings here?

I leave you with three things to furthur ponder.

First off,...YOU, not I, said something about 1935 regarding the date for the photo in Radbruch's book of Zarka. You then went on to theorize about the date because in your opinion, you know Riverside Tires were not advertised before 1938! Obviously you cannot take being corrected on a mature repsectable level of common discussion, oh well.

Second, if you took the time to read what I wrote pertaining to the date of 1932, you would realize that I specifically said that the quote came from the chapter dealing specifically with 1932! As in, Chapter Thirteen, entitled "1932"!

The moral of the story is that I shared with you something directly pertaining to your inisghtful repsonse delving into your personal thoughts/theories that a certain photo possibly around 1935 was, in your opinion, probably incorrectly dated. You got upset, for whatever reason?

I trust you'll have a pleasant night, and wake in a much better mood.

[fines]

Circa (btw who are you?), you started this thread asking for information about Gus Zarka, and I tried to help as best I can. Specifically with the picture in the Radbruch book (which I knew you had), I also tried to make an educated guess about when the picture was taken - actually, I was mostly talking to myself here, as there hadn't been any feedback from you so far, and I didn't even know if you still followed the thread.

Anyway, then you come back and question my "guesstimate", which you have every right to do, and with which I have no problem whatsoever. After all, it was your question in the first place, and you were trying to find out something, not me. If you're happy with dating the picture as of 1935, then I am happy with you being happy. Sunshine, beach volleyball and Happiness with a capital 'H'!

But: you used a quote from a book by a well respected author (Johnny Gerber) to substantiate your own "guesstimate", and then you praise the credibility of another well respected author (Don Radbruch) to underline the credibility of your own guess! The cheek!

I wasn't on the ball when I first responded to your post, and merely tried to point out why you may have come to false conclusions in your line of thinking - only trying to help. Only later did it dawn upon me that it looked like I was doubting Don's word, when in fact I only doubted yours! Next thing I know, you imply that I doubt the validity of Gerber's recollection, when I did absolutely nothing of the sort. That got me thinking.

I still don't know what you are trying to achieve, but rest assured that I sleep very well, and none of this nonsense is getting at me.

[circa1939]

What I'm trying to achieve?? Well, lets see....
At this point I'm trying to get you to understand that I simply replied to your posting, but you saw it as something else and followed through to start somekind of bizzarre pissing match with me??

Honestly, you're telling me I was guessing this and guessing that,....

You wrote the following...

More interesting is perhaps the car in the background, #36 "RIVERSIDE TIRE" - Ted Nyquist ran the ex-Billy Winn DO Fronty with #36 in the area, but 1935 is perhaps a tad early for the pic, and Gus was still driving his Lycoming then. Also, the Montgomery Ward "Riverside" tyres weren't really advertised much in racing until 1938, if at all. Nyquist, again, drove a #36 Miller (for Mark Light, apparently) in 1937, but even that would appear a bit early, and Zarka was probably still driving his Ambler/Hisso then.

The only thing I did was to explain why I believed that your thought of the possibility of this being around 1935, as you guessed, estimated, or whatever you so choose to call it, would actually have been a good possibility because of what I knew to be true.

I addressed your comment to this as so,....

I think 1935 for that photo of Zarka would be accurate.

To do so, I shared with you a simple factual recollection from Gerber regarding the fact that the Riverside Tire was used and well known far before 1938.
No guesstamate.
There was no other corrections, no suggestions, etc. Yet you then you tell me I'm playing with you??

I quoted a man who was there,....not a guess to what may or may not have happened or taken place.
You turned it into an argument right after, not I.

You then tell me that you never doubted anything Gerber said and would have no reason to do so?
No, you certainly DID doubt and disagree with Gerber's notes, thus sparking an argument here there was not argument untill you made one!

You explained this doubt very well and straightforward in your reply to me quoting Gerber when YOU said the following....

Gerber's and Schrader's ways did not cross again after 1932, because Gus went IMCA and Johnny AAA. I think that's the reason that quote appeared in the 1932 chapter, I really don't think Riverside sponsored any cars before 1937, when Schrader got his new car. He sold his old car to Bob Sall that year, and I have never seen a picture of it with "Riverside" on it, until it was owned by Ted Horn in the forties.

I really don't think Riverside sponsored any cars before 1937

If that statement you made isn't you doubting and questioning the validity of Gerber's notes then I don't know what is! Yet you tell me you never questioned anyhing, and then tunred the tables on me like I was arguing with you??

Next thing I know, you imply that I doubt the validity of Gerber's recollection, when I did absolutely nothing of the sort. That got me thinking.

You know, I've seen your postings all over this board where you lash out at people, get into nonsensical arguments, but, regadless, ( just so you know,) I took them all with a grain of salt when I began to post on this site.
I felt that regardless of what I read and saw expressed within those arguments, etc. I would toss them aside and not in the least bit take them to heart. Because, after all, I had never had any dealings with you before, and, untill just recently, had only the best of views towards you. You have ruined that by taking things out of context for whatever reason?? I see that I may be falling prey to you becoming as argumentative with me as I have seen you get with others for practically no reason at all. This is the same case here.

I responded with Gerber's quote NOT to be argumentative, which it seems you think is why I did so, but to share a correction for your own knowledge, as in the idea of learning something new, that's all. No one knows everything and we are all subject to mistakes and I for one would rather be corrected, and in doing so adding to my own personal knowledge, rather than taking it with disdain! You as well as others have corrected me in the recent past, and I have been all the more happier for that, so that I can gain more knowledge in the process. To me, this is what its all about.

As far as the dating of the photo, you said,

...but 1935 is perhaps a tad early for the pic

.
I showed you why that would not be to early based on Gerber's notes of 1932.
Therefore there was no "guesstamates" made on my part, just facts shared from a book within a quote.
I cannot understand your aggravation at all at this point? The only thing that took place here is that someone corrected you and now you're upset. Taking it as an insult.

For the record, as always, I have much appreciated you input, and assistance. However, I see that you are seriously reading into things here.

Lets drop it and move on,....somehow something along the way has been misunderstood. Regardless of what you think, feel, or theorize that I was or was not doing, my intentions were good. Believe that or not, whatever.....

So,....anyway.....

[fines]

Alright, time to take some heat out of this, as it appears to have been a genuine misunderstanding, and an overreaction on my part, for which I want to apologise!!!

Please try to understand that my original post about the picture in question was a sort of "thinking out loud": I looked at the picture, and started to write the post, going through some of my material as I wrote. I couldn't find anything on the car Gus was sitting in, but the #36 and the Riverside signage was prominent on the car in the background - actually, you don't see much more than those two things of the car at all.

When I see #36 on a period car, I instantly think of the Sejnost/Fronty, as that was such an iconic car when driven by the "mighty mite" Billy Winn, who took countless wins with it in the early thirties, and the number appears to have stayed with the car at least most of the time. Since I knew that it was later on owned by Ted Nyquist, another Central Pennsy driver, I instantly checked my records for that only to find out that the timing (1935) was wrong, on two counts: firstly, Zarka was still driving his Lycoming special back then, and secondly, I didn't think that Riverside sponsored any cars that early, so I rejected that thought as soon as I had checked on it.

Mind you, Zarka may have driven other cars besides his Lycoming special, and Riverside may have sponsored cars in 1935 already, but to the best of my knowledge, the latter at least is not true. I don't want to give the impression of a "know-it-all" guy, but I believe my records to be one of the most complete sources for Big Car racing of the period, and they don't show any Riverside sponsorship (as in signage on cars!) at all before 1937 (Schrader and Collins), and none in AAA racing before 1938 (only Horn). It wasn't until about 1939/40 that Riverside signage began to appear in any numbers, and on cars driven by Joie Chitwood, Emil Andres, Jimmie Wilburn, or even some "lesser names" as Buster Warke, Ottis Stine and Walt Brown.

I should also mention a picture in the "Oakland Speedway" book by Tom Motter, showing Freddie Agabashian in the Stevens/Cragar with "RIVERSIDE WARD SPECIAL" signage, and with the caption relating to the 1936 season. It doesn't actually say the photo was taken that year, and I believe it to be more likely of 1938, maybe even later, but it was anyway at the other end of the continent, and does have little bearing on what would or could have been written on an Eastern car at the same time, or even earlier. As an aside, it most cetainly isn't a 1935 picture either, because Freddie never drove that car before 1936.

Now to the misunderstanding: please take the time to read the passage in the Gerber book again. It doesn't say anything about Riverside signage actually appearing in 1932 already! It simply states the fact that Gerber thought it was Schrader who got Montgomery Ward interested in racing, and that the Riverside brand name subsequently appeared on cars. I understand that it may appear from reading this passage alone that this all took place in 1932, but it simply didn't, and it isn't what Gerber is telling us here.

As already mentioned, Gerber and Schrader didn't cross swords anymore on the tracks after 1932, and Gerber would've been aware of that simple fact when writing the book, so it was only natural for him to summarise his evaluation of Schrader at the time of this "parting of ways", somehow akin to his summaries of drivers who either died or got injured and retired from the sport. Just take a look at p201, where he writes about Tex West who "worked as an airplane crop duster and later lost his life" - this appears in the 1936 chapter, even though the accident happened almost thirty years later! There are numerous examples of that throughout the book.

I would never go as far as saying that "I never doubt anything" a particular person says, and again if you read my posts carefully you'll notice that I didn't say that with regards to either Gerber nor Radbruch, but in this case I didn't doubt Gerber's accuracy more than he did himself ("if my memory serves me..."), it is just that you read more into it than was actually written. Nothing to be ashamed of, and I hope you don't take this as undue criticism, it is just an observation of an odd thing that simply happened, and obviously sparked a whole lot of unnecessary and bad-tempered discussion.

Again, please take my apology for this reaction! Let's shake hands and move on.

[circa1939]

Sounds good to me!;)

[fines]

From the preview for the 1938 Albany-Schenectady County Fair races at Altamont (NY), this is a quote from the Altamont Enterprise, Aug 19, 1938:

Other entrants include John Ulesky, Union City, N. J., Gus Zacka (sic!), the flying Dutchman from Doylestown, Pa., who will drive a new Hal D. O.; Eddie Cox (...)