10 replies to this topic

[Bob Riebe]

https://www.thedrive...ay-45-years-ago

 

https://youtu.be/raTrLQU5_J0

 

https://youtu.be/zWCrstES3Fg

 

 

 

[10kDA]

LOL - and about a dozen years before that, MAD Magazine ran a bit about auto racing, proposing to mount switches on cars' front and rear bumpers that, when activated by contact with another car, set off explosive charges blowing up the car, removing uncertainty about the outcome  for those fans who came to the races "only for the crashes." I thought that was the perfect rule for big-rig racing. I can't understand why it wouldn't catch on.

[E1pix]

Bob, were you per chance at the first SCCA National at the newly-renamed Brainerd International Raceway? It was in 1974, and called the “Uncola Nationals.”

There was indeed a semi-struck race, between Paul Newman and Bob Tullius, and two others I’ve forgotten. It was so utterly ridiculous as to be really fun to watch.

As luck would have it, we bought a stack of discounted movies recently, and just saw “Smoky” last week for the first time in this Millennium.

[Michael Ferner]

Hang on there... Is this the Transporters thread?   

[E1pix]

An interesting part about this is…

Would oval track fencing keep one of these from launching into the bleachers?

Heck No!

Viva la Tohellwithit! Viva la ‘70s! Viva la SuregladIwasthere!!!

[Jim Thurman]

I recall the MAD Magazine piece. As part of a parody of "Wide World of Sports", it was Minefield Stock Car racing and the Summer Ski Jumping Championship (or some sort). The friction of the ski jump in Summer turned one skier into a human torch, triggering a fire. The announcer then promoted next week's show, featuring the Forest Fire Fighting Competition 

 

Not as brilliant a sports parody as the legendary 43-Man Squamish, but a good one.

[E1pix]

The announcer then promoted next week's show, featuring the Forest Fire Fighting Competition 

Just lost a little coffee, but a worthy loss.

(Hilarious!)

[70JesperOH]

As luck would have it, we bought a stack of discounted movies recently, and just saw “Smoky” last week for the first time in this Millennium.

 

The first Smokey and the Bandit had footage of trucks, or big-rigs, doing drag race at the defunct Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, GA.

 

From an 1980s article in a Danish motor magazine, I remember a presentation of the 24 hour Le Mans race! This was at the Bugatti circuit and held as the modern day Le Mans Classic - a selection of races spread over a 24 hour window, with results being decided on aggregate.

 

Jesper

[dbltop]

I believe the big rig series was stopped because of the damage being done to speedway walls was getting very expensive.

[Lee Nicolle]

I hve seen some You Tube clips recently on this subject and I feel it just faded away, less competitors and less spectators.

Still big on roadcircuits in the UK and Europe.

[Bob Riebe]

Bob, were you per chance at the first SCCA National at the newly-renamed Brainerd International Raceway? It was in 1974, and called the “Uncola Nationals.”

There was indeed a semi-struck race, between Paul Newman and Bob Tullius, and two others I’ve forgotten. It was so utterly ridiculous as to be really fun to watch.

As luck would have it, we bought a stack of discounted movies recently, and just saw “Smoky” last week for the first time in this Millennium.

I was there. I loved it.

They actually showed some of the Semi-Cab races on one of the TV sports shows.

If I  remember correctly, they series ran for 12 years.

It was  better than the NASCAR farce they show now.