Talking with my dad over the weekend and he mentioned that one of the first post WWII races that he attended was a dirt track race in Danville Illinois. He remembered it specifically due to the death of one of the entrants during the race. Anyone know which track this would be and where I might find a list of the entrants and whom the unfortunate driver might be?
Post war dirt track racing in Danville Illinois
Started by
jj2728
, Jul 17 2013 10:27
5 replies to this topic
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#2
Collombin
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Posted 18 July 2013 - 09:56
There's a Danville Fairgrounds listed on Motorsport Memorial, with just one recorded fatality, a Walt Trevelyan.
However, this accident occurred in wartime: July 12, 1942.
However, this accident occurred in wartime: July 12, 1942.
#3
sramoa
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Posted 18 July 2013 - 11:32
There were more events at Danville after the war:
Danville Fairgrounds 1/4 mile ran 1946,1950-64
Danville Fairgrounds(aka: Eastern Illinois Fairgrounds, Fowler Street Fairgrounds, Fair Park, Danville State Fairgrounds) 1/2 mile ran 1946-53
Danville Speedbowl(on Bowman Ave at I-74) 1/4 mile 1964-72
Hollywood Park-no info
Vermilion County Speedway(aka: Pierce's Vermilion County Speedway, Eastern Illinois Raceway) 1/4 mile is operating from 1967
At 1946 IMCA big car events were:
May 12 won Emory Collins(22 entries)-2nd Jimmy Wheldon-3rd Cliff Griffith
July 31 Won Emory Collins
Aug 4 won Emory Collins
no info about fatal accident....
Danville Fairgrounds 1/4 mile ran 1946,1950-64
Danville Fairgrounds(aka: Eastern Illinois Fairgrounds, Fowler Street Fairgrounds, Fair Park, Danville State Fairgrounds) 1/2 mile ran 1946-53
Danville Speedbowl(on Bowman Ave at I-74) 1/4 mile 1964-72
Hollywood Park-no info
Vermilion County Speedway(aka: Pierce's Vermilion County Speedway, Eastern Illinois Raceway) 1/4 mile is operating from 1967
At 1946 IMCA big car events were:
May 12 won Emory Collins(22 entries)-2nd Jimmy Wheldon-3rd Cliff Griffith
July 31 Won Emory Collins
Aug 4 won Emory Collins
no info about fatal accident....
#4
sramoa
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Posted 18 July 2013 - 11:40
Talking with my dad over the weekend and he mentioned that one of the first post WWII races that he attended was a dirt track race in Danville Illinois. He remembered it specifically due to the death of one of the entrants during the race. Anyone know which track this would be and where I might find a list of the entrants and whom the unfortunate driver might be?
Who is your father(was he racer)?I have a program from 28 June 1942 Danville CSRA big car event....
Edited by sramoa, 18 July 2013 - 11:46.
#5
jj2728
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Posted 18 July 2013 - 13:32
Who is your father(was he racer)?I have a program from 28 June 1942 Danville CSRA big car event....
No, he wasn't a racer, but a photographer. I'm sure it was post war, I think he mentioned '46 or '47. I have his colour slides from Indy '48.
#6
E1pix
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Posted 25 July 2013 - 08:46
Wow JJ, this goes well back...
I gotta ask my Dad but am 90% sure I attended a race there in '63 or '64 (I'd have been 3 or 4), as my uncle lived in Danville.
And OT a bit, my Dad's cousin ran Midgets at Hales Corners, Wisconsin all through the '70s and '80s, including USAC.
I gotta ask my Dad but am 90% sure I attended a race there in '63 or '64 (I'd have been 3 or 4), as my uncle lived in Danville.
And OT a bit, my Dad's cousin ran Midgets at Hales Corners, Wisconsin all through the '70s and '80s, including USAC.
Edited by E1pix, 25 July 2013 - 08:47.
