Hi Jim, I was introduced to 117, in February of '78. I had just transferred to the 32nd st Navy base and was house hunting. My only stop was at 19th and Coronado, where I met my landlord and now longtime friend, Don (DJ) Jackson, "The Racin Realtor." When we entered his office there was a clock with a picture of a guy in a firesuit and in the background a car on dirt (117). My first question was the location of the track, then do you need a pit crew. We've been friends ever since. During the '78 season I was Don's crew. Our first night out I learned the safe-tech in the pits was my former little league coach(Del Lawles). As driver introductions progressed I heard a few more names familiar from around home. Then in '79 I was fortunate enough to run my own street stock. Don's Otay Mesa Realty was one of my sponsors. I won my first race, the SLOW trophy dash. Marvin Evans (newly returned from three ? years overseas) was a little rusty and wrecked the other two compeitors and as we crossed the finish line, I recieved the checkers and Marv was black-flagged. The irony was the car on the trophy was facing backwards (to the left) and is still the same today. Yeah, I kinda backed into that one. In early 1980 I left the Navy and headed home to Indiana. My wife enlisted in early '81 and we returned to San Diego, but that will be another post.
Am looking forward to your chapter three. Yes, I knew John Ackerman and Greg Attaway and a number of other fine folks that raced there weekly. I have some pictures, a few with Don Basile , and some of Don's (DJ) car or mine circling the track. I still keep in close touch with Phil Dodge #38 ( the car and driver high jump record holder at 117 ) and Steve Stout #35 from nearby Unionville, who raced a street stock in '78 and '79. Us two senior citizens are attempting to get a street stock to run Bloomington Speedway next year. Will attempt to post pictures later and help in any way I can, sure happy to find this thread as 117 was one of the most fun things you could do with your clothes on.
Mark, Yeah I remember that High Jump Record.. it was thanks to Don "DJ"Jackson losing a left rear wheel.. That poor old Javelin had been through the wringer at that track. I loved racing at 117. I remember drivng my cars back and forth from the track to Jackson's ranch. Had a lot of fun. I knew John, Greg (the other Wolfman), Don Jackson, Mark my brother, and a few others. I also remember the night that Del Baker wanted to kick my tail because he pulled down on me and spun himself out. He broke the rear end in his Fairlane... Tough luck Del...We had fun. As for the sprints, I used to go with the track welder and help.
