57 replies to this topic

[Magoo]

Can any one find what last -- I still call them Big Cars -- from the era of sprint cars and big cars, one to run on any paved oval?

 

I am not sure what you are asking, but the USAC big cars aka uprights aka SIlver Crown cars still run on short ovals, dirt and pavement. They have evolved in appearance, of course. 

[Henri Greuter]

Interesting trivia: of the first series of five Kurtis-Kraft KK500 roadsters constructed by Frank Kurtis, only one technically met the definition of a roadster as the term came to be understood. Howard Keck's Hilborn Fuel Injection Special used a left-offset drivetrain, but the other four buyers were not sold on the idea and spec'ed their cars with centerline drivetrains. 

 

In fact, Frank offered way more good ideas in the past, only to be turned down. 

 

I have to look it up but there is something going through my mind that he suggested building a tub-frame roadster kind of car  as early as short after the war already but it being turned down back then already. 

[Jim Thurman]

Can any one find what last -- I still call them Big Cars -- from the era of sprint cars and big cars, one to run on any paved oval?

The last upright dirt cars to race in a USAC Champ race on a paved oval were the eight used as field fillers in the 1981 Pocono race, but those were a anomaly.

 

The last upright dirt car to qualify for a USAC Championship race on a paved oval was Charlie Masters in 1969. Masters made the field for both Trenton races that year.

 

Dirt cars made the fields in a few more races in 1969. Tommy Copp qualified one for the Phoenix opener, Rollie Beale made the field at Langhorne and A.J. Foyt ran his at the second Milwaukee race.

[ghinzani]

Thanks Jim, do you know the last upright car to qualify at Indy perchance?

The last upright dirt cars to race in a USAC Champ race on a paved oval were the eight used as field fillers in the 1981 Pocono race, but those were a anomaly.

The last upright dirt car to qualify for a USAC Championship race on a paved oval was Charlie Masters in 1969. Masters made the field for both Trenton races that year.

Dirt cars made the fields in a few more races in 1969. Tommy Copp qualified one for the Phoenix opener, Rollie Beale made the field at Langhorne and A.J. Foyt ran his at the second Milwaukee race.

[PayasYouRace]

The Indy roadsters, like a number of open-wheel cars in oval racing in the USA, used a device called a Jacob's Ladder for lateral location of the rear axle --- in place of oh, say, a Panhard bar or a Watt's link. It's an interesting mechanism with some distinctive mechanical properties. Worth a look. 

 

Be very, very careful when googling that term though.

[Magoo]

Thanks Jim, do you know the last upright car to qualify at Indy perchance?


 

 

Not sure but I think two cars in 1956. Al Keller Kurtis-Kraft KK4000 and Eddie Johnson in a Kuzma-Offy. Al Keller below. 

 

 

Edited by Magoo, 08 July 2022 - 00:25.

[Collombin]

The last qualifying run in 1956 was that of Eddie Johnson's Kuzma so looks like that must be it.

I haven't found anything to cast doubt on what I said earlier. Johnson was in a dirt car and was the last 1956 qualifier, whilst the fields of the following years all look roadstery to me.

[Magoo]

I haven't found anything to cast doubt on what I said earlier. Johnson was in a dirt car and was the last 1956 qualifier, whilst the fields of the following years all look roadstery to me.

 

Sorry, I missed your earlier comment.