21 replies to this topic

[Richard Jenkins]

I bring this thread in as a spin-off to the WATN thread, as I have good news and that is it looks like we'll get the Indy non-qualifiers on FORIX and then finally have everyone on one site (apart from here, of course )
Really what I am asking is can anyone help any further with any biographical detail - birth/death date. places etc. on these fellows - corrections etc. The reason I post it here now is because people might either not have noticed this in the WATN thread as it's not at the start plus the thread is long & so some people might not have the energy to sift through 250 posts!!!

If you can, magic, if you can't, no sweat. It'll just mean more work for me!!! (As if I didn't have enough already!!)




INDIANAPOLIS NON-QUALIFIERS:


Charles van Acker (B/USA) b. 14 March 1912, Brussels d. 31 May 1998:- 1 DNQ (1950)
Later became a mechanic after his successful driving career ended.

Emil Andres (USA) b. 22 July 1911, Tinley Park, Illinois d. 20 July 1999 , South Holland, Illinois:- 1 DNQ (1950)
Retained his links with the Indy 500 Oldtimers association right up to his death, being honourary chairman. He became a USAC & Champ Car official & in 1968 moved to Flossmoor, where he farmed in his spare time. He died after a fall at his home.

Johnny Baldwin (USA) b. 30 March 1927, Fresno, California d. 19 May 2000, Sonora, California:- 1 DNQ (1956)
Died of heat stroke. Legendary midget racer in California. Retired in 1966, but continued to race until 1990 in midget vintages.

"Buzz" Emmett Barton (USA) b. 7 Oct 1916, Chickasha, Oklahoma:- 2 DNQ's (1952-1953))
Still alive & believed to be living in Tampa, Florida

Joe Barzda (USA) b. 22 May 1915, New Brunswick, New Jersey d. 11 October 1993, Somerset, New Jersey:- 3 DNQ's (1951-1953)
Quit after Van Johnson's fatality in 1959, when Joe was badly injured in the crash. With brother Jim he ran the California speed & sport shop in New Jersey which fielded cars in lots of event including endurance & CART events. His brother is still alive & running the shop.

Tony Bonadies (USA) b. 30 March 1910 d. 5 July 1964, Williams Grove motor speedway:- 3 DNQ's (1955-1957)
Killed in a ARDC series midget car crash.

Marvin Burke (USA) b. Oakland, California d. ? :- 1 DNQ (1950)
Believed to be dead as there was no reply from himself or any of his family when Burke was inducted into his BCRA Midget Hall of Fame induction in 1999.

Bill Cantrell (USA) b. 6 DFebruary 1914, Mt. Vernon, Missouri - still alive as far as we know.

Neal Carter (USA) b. 30 Aug 1923, Wapakoneta, Ohio:- 1 DNQ (1952)
Another midget legend, alive & living in Florida.

Bob Cleberg (USA) b. 28 May 1929, Tucson, Arizona, 1 DNQ (1960)
Raced until the mid 1970's. Still alive.

Bud Clemons (USA) b. 20 March 1919, Riverside, California d. May 1985 :- 1 DNQ (1956)

Hal Cole (USA) b. 12 November 1912 d. 12 November 1970:- 1 DNQ (1950)
Died on the day of his 58th birthday – thus is the only "GP" driver thus far to so do. Sadly, he will be remembered by some historians for his involvement in Rex May's fatal crash

Russ Congdon (USA) b. Puyallup, Washington, 1 DNQ (1960)
Is still believed to be alive.

Bob Cortner (USA) b. Redlands, California d. 19 May 1959, Indianapolis Motor Speedway:- 2 DNQ's (1958-1959)
Killed in a USAC practice run.

Billy Devore (USA) b. 12 September 1912 d. 12 August 1985:- 2 DNQ's (1950-1954)

Rex Easton (USA) b. 12 December 1913, Springfield, Illinois d. 21/12/1974, Sanyamon, Illinois:- 2 DNQ's (1958-1959)

Johnny Fedricks (USA) b. 11 April 1925, Royal Oak, Michigan d. 26/2/2001, Oakland, Missouri:- 3 DNQ's (1950-1953)

Dick Frazier (USA) b. New Castle, Indiana, 2 DNQ's (1950-1952)
Later involved with road racing. Definitely alive up to 1995 & presumed to still be alive.

Andy Furci (USA) b. 12 December 1916, Brooklyn, New York d. 9 July 1998, Suffolk, New York:- 2 DNQ's (1952-1953)

Joe Giba (USA) b. nr. Denver, Colorado:- 1 DNQ (1958)
Became a midget & sprint car builder after his driving retirement in the 60's

Bob Gregg (USA) 1 DNQ (1950)
Still alive & living in Vancouver, Washington, but has been in ill-health lately. Son Mike was also a successful midgeter, in the 80's.

Red Hamilton (USA) b. 6 November 1921, Decatur, Illinois d. 23/11/1986:- 1 DNQ (1953)

Allen Heath (CDN) b. 18 January 1918, Saskatchewan d. 6 March 1981, Northridge, Los Angeles, United States:- 2 DNQ's (1952-1953)
Midget racing legend.

Norm Houser (USA) b. 18 December 1915 d. 3 December 1996, Volusia, Florida:- 1 DNQ (1950)

Chuck Hulse (USA) b. 3 October 1927, Anaheim, California:- 1 DNQ (1960)
Still alive - most recent major attendance was that of a meeting at the Irwindale Speedway in California in 2001

Van Johnson (USA) d. 19 Jul 1959, Williams's Grove Speedway:- 1 DNQ (1958)
Killed in a crash only 5 weeks after winning his first champcar race.

Russ Klar (USA) b.Lynbrook, Long Island, New York, 1 DNQ (1955)
Still alive & makes occasional visits to vintage meetings.

Ray Knepper (USA) b. Belleville, Illinois d.? :- 1 DNQ (1951)

Ralph Ligouri (USA) b. 10 October 1926, New York City, New York:- 1 DNQ (1959)
Has raced & won in an amazing 7 decades - won a minor race in 2000!

Frankie Luptow (Lueptow) (USA) b. 20 November 1905 d. 21 September 1952, Lakewood Speedway, Atlanta, GA:- 2 DNQ's (1950-1951)
Killed in a stockcar crash.

George Lynch (USA) b. 20 June 1918 d. 6 May 1997, Los Angeles, California:- 1 DNQ (1950)

Cy Marshall (USA) b. 17 April 1902 d. 20 December 1974, 1 DNQ (1950)
Hurt badly in the 1930 Indy 500, with brother Paul killed in the same crash. Later became a mechanic.

Johnny Mauro (USA) b. 25 October 1911, 2 DNQ's (1950-1952)
Believed to be still alive. Was the Ferrari importer for whole of the Denver region for many, many years & often raced in those cars in all disciplines.

Al Miller (Krulac) (USA) - 1 DNQ (1950)

Johnny Moorhouse (USA) b. 3 February 1922 d. 30 December 1999:- 1 DNQ (1959)
Excellent midget racer; retired in 1969 & later ran a gas station in Julian, California in the mountains nr. San Diego. He was also very active with the local vintage open wheel groups.

Earl Motter (USA) b. 15 February 1919, Fresno, California, d. 28 November 1992, 1 DNQ (1959)

Frank Mundy (USA) b. 8 June 1916, 1 DNQ (1954)
Real name: Francisco Menendez. Worked for a cart team in the 80's - still alive

Danny Oakes (USA) b.18 July 1911, Santa Barbara, California:- (1953-1954)
Lives in Los Angeles - last seen on TV as recently as the mid 90's. Worked as a chief crewman in 1960's.

Jim Packard (USA) b. 23 December 1931, Hendersonville, North Carolina d. 1 October 1960, Fairfield, Illinois:- 2 DNQ's (1959-1960)
Killed in a midget race.

Jiggs Peters (USA)b. 28 September 1920, Metuchen, New Jersey:- 1 DNQ (1955)

Marvin Pifer (USA) d. c. 1975, 1 DNQ (1952)

Ralph Pratt (USA) b. Porthage, Ohio d. 15 Dec 1981:- 1 DNQ (1950)
Midget legend who is Roger Penske's boyhood hero.

Gordon Reid b. 11 August 1923, Portland, Oregon d. 20/4/1952. Dayton, Ohio; 1 DNQ (1951)
Killed in a sprintcar race.

Hal Robson (CDN) b. 16 August 1911 d. 2 July 1996:- 1 DNQ (1953)

Chuck Roedee (Charles Rodeghier) (USA) b.8 September 1927 d. 14 May 1966, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana:- 2 DNQ's (1959-1960)
Killed in qualifying for the Indy 500.

Bud Rose (USA) (Harry Eisele) b. 7 May 1914 d. 11 December 1991, 1 DNQ (1950)

Jesse "Ebb" Rose (USA- 1 DNQ (1960)
Was a longtime truck operator in Houston, Texas.

Mike Salay (USA) (Mike Szalai) b. 10 June 1910 d. ?-11-1973, South Bend, Indiana, 1 DNQ (1951)

Wayne Selser (USA) b. 11 April 1920, St Louis, Missouri d. 21/1/1994, Madera, California:- 1 DNQ (1953)

Bud Sennett (USA) b. 21 May 1912, St. Louis, Missouri 1 DNQ (1951)
Alive & living in Hawaii.

Joe Sostilio (USA) b. 3 January 1915 d. 9 July 2000, East Natick, Nebraska:- 1 DNQ (1953)

Ottis Stine (USA) b. 6 February 1904 d. 29 July 1988, 1 DNQ (1952)

Joel Thorne b. 16 October 1914, Burbank, California d. 17 October 1955 2 DNQ's (1950-1951)
Well-known owner of Thorne Engineering in Joels' home town. Killed in a plane crash.

Leroy Warriner (USA) b. 1 March 1919, Indianapolis, Indiana:- 5 DNQ's (1951-1958)
Still alive, now living in Key Largo, Florida. Retired in 1962 & then ran the Indy speedrome with Gene Hartley, before selling it in 1977 & since then has lived a content retirement.


Others:
Birthplaces Only: Bill Boyd (USA) b. Los Angeles, 1 DNQ (1951), Lee Drollinger (USA) b. Springfield, Illinois, 1 DNQ (1960), Teddy Duncan (USA) b. Beecher, Illinois, 1 DNQ (1950), Kenny Eaton (USA) b. Inglewood, California, 2 DNQ's (1950-1951), Potsy Goacher (USA) b. Summitville, Indiana, 2 DNQ's (1953-1954) Johnny Kay (USA) b. New Britain, Conneticut, 4 DNQ's (1953-1959), Chuck Leighton (USA) b. Southern California, 1 DNQ (1950), Dick Reese (USA) b. Oakland, California, 1 DNQ (1956), Johnny Roberts (USA) b. Lansing, Illinois, 1 DNQ (1953) Doc Shanebrook (USA) b. South Bend, Indiana, 1 DNQ, 1951, Gig Stephens (USA) b. North Reading, Massachusetts, 1 DNQ (1956) Bill Taylor (USA) b. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1 DNQ (1952) George Tichenor (USA) b. Logansport, Indiana, 3 DNQ's (1952-1955)

No Details at all : Mike Burch (USA) 1 DNQ (1950), Jack Ensley (USA) 2 DNQ's, (1958-1959), Milt Fankhouser (USA) 1 DNQ (1950), Peter Hahn (USA) 1 DNQ (1952), Mark Light (USA) 1 DNQ (1950), Roy Neuman (USA), 1 DNQ (1953), Jack Rounds (USA) 1 DNQ (1960)

[newtown27]

Here's some updates I have



Johnny Mauro (USA) b. 25 October 1911, 2 DNQ's (1950-1952)
Believed to be still alive. Was the Ferrari importer for whole of the Denver region for many, many years & often raced in those cars in all disciplines.


Still alive... I have some recent info on Mauro that I will post.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank Mundy (USA) b. 8 June 1916, 1 DNQ (1954)
Real name: Francisco Menendez. Worked for a cart team in the 80's - still alive


Still alive.... lives in North Carolina... goes by the nickname "Rebel"... won races on the NASCAR circuit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Jesse "Ebb" Rose (USA- 1 DNQ (1960)
Was a longtime truck operator in Houston, Texas.


Still alive and living in Indianapolis. Badly injured in the auto accident that claimed the life of famed engine builder Herbie Porter.

[stevew]

Not just 1950-1960, but I found this site, has birth and death dates:

http://www.geocities...iverlist.html#D

[Jimmy Piget]

Billy DeVore — son of prewar ace Earl DeVore (who died in a liner wreck in the Atlantic ocean, 12 November 1928, along with other ace Norman Batten)

Norm Houser — son of prewar Indy qualifier Thane Houser.

Ralph Ligouri or Liguori ?

Hal Robson — brother of 1946 winner George Robson. Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne (Great Britain)

Al Miller — I thought that Mr Krulac was the Al Miller who raced Indy in the '1960s, not the one entered from 1932 onto 1950. I have these dates :
28 April 1907, Roseville, Mi. 18 August 1967, Springfield, Il.

Bill Cantrell (the non qualifier) — Wasn't his first name Willard ?

Johnny Kay — Wasn't his real name John KAPUTINSKY ?

Missing : Nino Farina (dna 1950, dnq 1956-1957), Juan Manuel Fangio (passed his rookie test in 1958), Norm Hall who had his rookie test in 1960, Carroll Shelby who had his in 1958, Chuck Daigh 1959, Bob Schroeder 1959

Did not qualify or did not appear ?
Jorge Daponte 1953, Cotton Farmer 1960, John Fitch 1953.

Does somebody know how to find middle names of each from these drivers ?
For instance, Mundy is Francisco Eduardo MENENDEZ and Thorne was Joel Wolfe jr.

[cabianca]

Don't quite understand this thread. Are these dudes who never qualifed at Indy but tried? If so, Emil Andres was 4th in 1946, so I think he qualified. Johnny Mauro did not qualify, but he was not a Ferrari dealer. His brother, to whom he did not speak, was the Ferrari dealer. Mauro was a Nash dealer in Denver.

[cabianca]

Again, if these are supposed to be people who never qualified, some names mentioned with the number of times they qualified.

Bill Cantrell 2
Hal Cole 3
Bill Devore 8
Norm Houser 1
Cy Marshall 2
Al Miller 3
Hal Robsen 3
Chuck Rodee 2
Eb Rose 3
Mike Salay 1
Joel Thorne 4

On the other hand, if it's dudes who missed qualifying at least once, you better add Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Rahal.

[Jim Thurman]

I think what's happened here is we were discussing and adding to info for both drivers who raced in the Indy 500 from 1950 through 1960 and drivers who failed to qualify.

The two Bill Cantrells and two Al Millers cause problems (yet!).

The DNQ Bill Cantrell was based in California, was a Midget racer and raced until around 1964, retired and became a USAC regional official. He died sometime in the early 1970's, which I remembered. While doing another project, I ran across his obituary in a racing paper. Now, good luck to me in finding it again...and that's when I have time!.

I believe the Al Miller listed is the one that raced at Indy in the 1930's, not the 60's era Al Miller - whose real name was Al Krulac.

Confused yet?

Richie, I have some info I turned up on some of those listed. I'll pass this along, but I also want to check my old racing papers for confirmation, and hopefully more details. I have no idea when that will happen as the next couple of weeks figure on being extremely busy for me.


Jim Thurman

[Jim Thurman]

Ok, here's what I have without digging through the papers for confirmation and more detail, a couple of corrections and some additions...

Bill Cantrell - retired from driving around 1965. Became Western regional USAC official. Died in the 1970's.

Joe Giba - b. 3 September 1909, d. October 1986

Van Johnson (USA) d. 19 Jul 1959, Williams Grove Speedway:- 1 DNQ (1958)
Killed in a Champ Car crash only 5 weeks after winning his first champcar race.

Al Miller - I think we've covered that this is the Al Miller who raced at Indy in the 1930's, not Al Miller (Krulac) that raced at Indy in the 1960's. Unfortunately I don't have much more info on this particular Al Miller. I know he had a wooden leg.

Frank Mundy (Francisco Menendez) - was also a AAA Stock Car champion.

Danny Oakes - primarily a Midget racer, is in Midget racing Hall of Fame. Was mechanic at Indy in the early 60's, but I don't recall which teams. Wrote chapter for Dick Wallen's recently released book on Pacific Coast Midget racing ("Distant Thunder")

Jiggs Peters - d. 25 December 1993

Chuck Rodee - correct spelling of name he used while racing. I'll check his obituary to see if that helps clear up spelling of his real name (I've seen several as well).

Joe Sostilio - should be East Natick, Massachusetts (where he raced out of), but the records I found list his residence at time of death as Florida (perhaps he was visiting?).

Jack Ensley - all I can add about him is that raced Sports Cars. Believe he had a top 5 or 6 finish in the 1956 Sebring 12 Hours co-driving with 1955 Indy 500 winner Bob Sweikert.

[stevew]

Originally posted by Jim Thurman
I think what's happened here is we were discussing and adding to info for both drivers who raced in the Indy 500 from 1950 through 1960 and drivers who failed to qualify.

Jim Thurman

... and that can be the same driver. In 1950, Bill Cantrell was a DNQ but was a relief driver for Bayliss Levertt, so technically, he raced in the 500 sharing 27th place.

[fines]

Originally posted by Jimmy Piget
Ralph Ligouri or Liguori ?

It's Liguori, definitely!

Originally posted by Jimmy Piget
Hal Robson — brother of 1946 winner George Robson. Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne (Great Britain)

Hal was the brother of George, but he was not born in England! He was born in Canada, can't be more specific now, but his son recently posted on "Racing History" e-group and confirmed!

Originally posted by Jimmy Piget
Bill Cantrell (the non qualifier) — Wasn't his first name Willard ?

I believe that's right. I have him born in Anaheim, Ca. Also, I seem to recall him being quite a bit younger than the other BC, but I'm not sure about either's birthdate.

Originally posted by Jimmy Piget
Did not qualify or did not appear ?
Jorge Daponte 1953, Cotton Farmer 1960, John Fitch 1953.

Fitch definitely practiced in 1953, in a Schroeder/Offenhauser, #74, owned by the Brown Motor Co. He took his rookie test in the car, but gave it up to Pat O'Connor, who qualified too slow.

I have no record of Jorge Daponte. The car Fox has him in (#95 George Wilson & Gabe Sacco, Wayne/Chevrolet) was #72 on the original entry list, with no driver assigned. #95 was a Walter Redmer entry.

Cotton Farmer also certainly appeared in practice in 1960. Quote Bob Schilling in the Dick Wallen book "Roar from the Sixties": "He had been in many cars and talked to many other owners in search of a ride."

The same book has this to say about Jack Rounds (after flipping three times at Terre Haute in the summer of '61) :"It was the seventh time the Californian had been upside-down in the past year and a half and it was message enough for him. He quietly retired and returned to his muffler shop in Huntington Park." Maybe that helps tracking him down?

Originally posted by stevew
Not just 1950-1960, but I found this site, has birth and death dates:

http://www.geocities.....iverlist.html

A bit of caution here. While Johnson's Indy is a super site, it is not as well researched as one would like. The problem here, as with so many other sites and books, is probably the sheer scope of his work.

[Richard Jenkins]

Right let's clear some things up.

Farina, Fangio, Daigh, Shelby & Schroeder were all qualifiers in F1, so I don't need to follow them up here. SteveW you've mixed up the Bill Cantrell's as did I. Non-entrants don't count in my book, like Oppitzhauser doesn't in F1.
Cabianca, this is not a comprehensive list of who qualified - it's exactly as it says on the tin - the people who were in the F1 "championship" Indy race - I just want to check on the information we've already got to see if anyone has found or knows something different
Thanks once again Jim & Newtown for the info.
Jimmy, Jim explains the Miller confusion. The others I don't know about Kay & your Ligouri is the same spelling! So I guess it's Ligouri! Thanks for the other info

[Jim Thurman]

Originally posted by Jim Thurman
Jiggs Peters - d. 25 December 1993

Oops...forgot to type in that "Jiggs" real first name was Fred (which was rarely used or mentioned).

Chuck Rodee. Confirmation that the correct spelling of his given name was Charles Rodeghier.

A search turned up this on Danny Oakes. He was mechanic for Jim Hurtubise in 1960 and crew chief for Johnny White in 1964. More career details at the following URL (Midget Hall of Fame):

http://www.worthyofh...pages/oakes.htm


And I found this from the online archives of the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times:

SOSTILIO, JOSEPH, 85, of New Port Richey, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (July 9, 2000) at Homewood Residence at Tarpon Springs. Born in Newton, Mass., he came here three years ago from St. Petersburg. He was a retired race car driver and a member of the Pocasset Golf Club and the U.S. Auto Club. Survivors include a daughter, Helen Dolan, Tarpon Springs; a brother, Natale Sostilio, Newton Highlands, Mass.; and a sister, Louise Carriero, Needham, Mass. Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Port Richey.

So that clears up Joe Sostilio. Born: Newton, Massachusetts and died: Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Thanks again for getting this started and keeping the info organzied Richie


Jim Thurman - who actually saw the DNQ Bill Cantrell race...but I was only 5 or 6 at the time

[Richard Jenkins]

That was quick! Thanks again - Michael & Jim. It may just be dates for now & then more in depth biographies - JPC came up with 75 names which include Cotton Farmer & Norm Hall - are there any dates for these two?

[ensign14]

Bily DeVore drove the Pat Clancy 6 wheeler in 1948 (IIRC).

Ralphie the Racer holds the record for most DNQs at Indy without ever qualifying at 8. I think he did race in the Daytona 500.

Hal Robson was paralysed by a race crash in c. 1950 and died a few years later.

I think Gig Stephens had loads of entries at Indy but barely made it to the racetrack in any of them!

And Jim Packard is one of the select few to have won a Champcar race but not raced at Indy (at least until the IRL split - at Springfield in 1960).

[fines]

Originally posted by ensign14
Ralphie the Racer holds the record for most DNQs at Indy without ever qualifying at 8. I think he did race in the Daytona 500.

And Ralphie holds another record: He's won professional car races in seven different decades: 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and noughts! Beat that!

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by Richie Jenkins
Right let's clear some things up.

Farina, Fangio, Daigh, Shelby & Schroeder were all qualifiers in F1, so I don't need to follow them up here. SteveW you've mixed up the Bill Cantrell's as did I. Non-entrants don't count in my book, like Oppitzhauser doesn't in F1.
Cabianca, this is not a comprehensive list of who qualified - it's exactly as it says on the tin - the people who were in the F1 "championship" Indy race - I just want to check on the information we've already got to see if anyone has found or knows something different
Thanks once again Jim & Newtown for the info.
Jimmy, Jim explains the Miller confusion. The others I don't know about Kay & your Ligouri is the same spelling! So I guess it's Ligouri! Thanks for the other info

It is here that symbiotic research runs into problems. It is a frequent occurance in historical research that as geneologists churn up the waters in search of only what they want or wish to find, much of interest gets unearthed but gets lost in the muck or filed away in some unconspicuous spot. Perhaps one of the problems I have is that often serendipitous discoveries made during researching another topic prove more interesting than what I was looking for in the first place.

That is why I generally have reams of paper stuffed in file folders and sitting in crates -- you never know when it might be handy or that it might just be the missing piece someone else is looking for. Right now, after seeing the interest (mine at any rate) raised by these excursions into the Indy world, I would be really more interested in the Indy info than the "F1" info.

However, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I need to say "Thanks!" to Richie since we are having this conversation in the first place due to his efforts....

[Jimmy Piget]

For Norm Hall, I have these dates : 16 May 1926 / 11 March 1992
but no places ...

[Jimmy Piget]

posted by Fines

Where to find this "Racing History" e-group ?

[Richard Jenkins]

Originally posted by Don Capps


It is here that symbiotic research runs into problems. It is a frequent occurance in historical research that as geneologists churn up the waters in search of only what they want or wish to find, much of interest gets unearthed but gets lost in the muck or filed away in some unconspicuous spot. Perhaps one of the problems I have is that often serendipitous discoveries made during researching another topic prove more interesting than what I was looking for in the first place.

That is why I generally have reams of paper stuffed in file folders and sitting in crates -- you never know when it might be handy or that it might just be the missing piece someone else is looking for. Right now, after seeing the interest (mine at any rate) raised by these excursions into the Indy world, I would be really more interested in the Indy info than the "F1" info.

Yes, I apologise if my comments could be misinterpreted as somewhat flippant. I must say I'd like to know more about Farina's etc. Indy excursion as well & would be more than happy for this thread to go off an tangent along these lines. The initial reason for the spin off thread was for specific details but having got a large amount already, maybe a fes stoires of the adventures of Daigh, Farina & Shelby et. al would be interesting


Oh btw thanks Jimmy re. Norm Hall

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Jimmy Piget
posted by Fines

Where to find this "Racing History" e-group ?

Jimmy - I'll email you some information.

[Jimmy Piget]

Didn't Bob said enter some year ? I read somewhere he was linked to a Luigi Chinetti project using a 750 Ferrari engine in a supersqualo chassis.

Wasn't Cliff Bergere supposed to try one of the IRC Maseratis in 1950 ?

Was the rumoured Ecure Ecosse rumoured entry finalized in 1958 ?

All this I can't tell, can someone else ?

[Jim Thurman]

First, a quick update. Sorry I haven't been able to dig up the info on Bill Cantrell as of yet. The past week has been terribly busy. Hopefully, I will get to it shortly as well as looking for additional details on some of the others I added to.

Originally posted by ensign14
Bily DeVore drove the Pat Clancy 6 wheeler in 1948 (IIRC).

Ralphie the Racer holds the record for most DNQs at Indy without ever qualifying at 8. I think he did race in the Daytona 500.

Hal Robson was paralysed by a race crash in c. 1950 and died a few years later.

I think Gig Stephens had loads of entries at Indy but barely made it to the racetrack in any of them!

ensign14, I think you're thinking of Mel Hansen instead of Hal Robson. Hal Robson died just a few years ago. Hansen was paralyzed in a racing accident around the time you mention and died in the early 1960's.

Ralph Ligouri definitely raced in the early years of NASCAR, running there before moving over to USAC.

And, you are right about Gig Stephens. Stephens was often a non-qualifier, not only at Indy. Going from memory, I recall most of his qualified races coming at Trenton and Langhorne.

Originally posted by Jim Thurman

A search turned up this on Danny Oakes. He was mechanic for Jim Hurtubise in 1960 and crew chief for Johnny White in 1964. More career details at the following URL (Midget Hall of Fame):

http://www.worthyofh...pages/oakes.htm

Just to clarify, I'm not angry with the Midget Hall of Fame...I've had that problem before with typing in a close parenthesis. Far from it, it's a long overdue facility and Ed Watson does a great job with all of his racing history projects.


Jim Thurman