Ironically, Staubers car never left its wheels with the driver
Spears hit a steel guardrail with the nose of the car going under the rail. Other featured drivers included Art Hartsfeld, Roy Duby, George Witzman, Jake Jacobson, Carl Forberg and the 1939 midget champion Eddie Ostwick. September 16. Field. One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand The damage was estimated as high as $50,000, including $5,000 worth of baseball equipment. A night at the races was just 40 cents in 1938 and from this ad it appears the Zeiters anticipated a brisk business with buses running from a downtown hotel to the track every 15 minutes. View cart for details. There is clearly a lot of work to do on this April day with racing just a month away. Bigelow Field fire. Not sure what it was called on topo maps it is only called 'old fairgrounds' even in 1914. viewable on historicaerials. CONTINUE. Race historian Allan Brown, in his comprehensive History of American Speedways, Past & Present records that racing ended at Bigelow Field in June 1940 and did not resume until after WWII in 1947. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, Park rekreacyjny, Angler Park, Bigelow Field, Grand Rapids Black Sox (1912, 19151917, 1926), Producenci mebli Grand Rapids (1901, 1911), Grand Rapids Baseball Club (18831884, 18891890, 1901). Grand Rapids Press Library photos. included starter Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles
Our Hutch (farm store) is open MOST Saturdays 11am-4pm. Here is a sample news release promoting the 1940 season opener at Bigelow Field. He always treated people, including drivers, great. However you can see that it was also a baseball field. Reel had just bought his first Offy engine from Johnny Pawl. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like Ray Stauffer, Howard Dauphin and Eddie Ostwick got customized stories featuring each local hero. At least, they are mysterious to me. Ford Special No.33 V8 to the win. The throttle on Stauber's No. feature event was fellow UARA organizer, Scally. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. Noon First Race 2:00 pm, Featuring top
My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. before the gates opened. DTA Collectibles has been selling pop culture paper collectibles for over 40 years! the feature winner. | v3.3.0 Al (Ace) Blixt was a significant part of the Bigelow Field story for a little while in one of the strangest, and (for me) mysterious They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954,[1] winning championships in 1947 and 1953. Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. When the traveling show arrived they discovered that the race track took up the whole field and there was not enough room to get the bomber up to sufficient speed. The Chicks played their home games at South High School in Grand Rapids, with the exception of 1950-1952 when games were played at Bigelow Field in Wyoming Township. Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945[3] and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Fedel. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946 to 1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing, Merle Keagle, Doris Satterfield, Earlene Risinger, Eleanor Moore, and Joyce Ricketts. ), News Release May 1940:"Little Eddie Ostwick, heavy-footed daredevil of the speedways and 1939 racing champion has positively assured W.R.Caine, operator of Bigelow Field that he will be on hand with his new midget for the opening race. One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Ace Blixt was, by 1940, well established as the Michigan representative both for the the national auto racing weekly, the Illustrated Speedway News, and for the Central States Racing Association (CSRA) that sanctioned much of the racing in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. Laundromat are now sitting on that corner. You say that you never heard of it? during time trials, running around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the
Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. 45 to victory in the 25 lap main event on June 20. Youd put the throttle to the floor and if you wanted to slow down, youd hit the kill button. Bigelow Field. Restauracja szybkiej obsugi zajmuje dzi cz terenu. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. Mrs. Bigelow was born on July 21,. and Ambrose. News. Illustrated Speedway News: National
rough and dusty oval. | Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." Bigelow Field. Big Bill Spears had a close call once when coming out of turn four. 75 midget to victory on July 30 at Bigelow Field. With its
She was preceded in. Staff Interface During 1939 Eddie did not have his own car but was driving a midget racer owned by Dick Harroun, son of the man who won the first Indianapolis race back in 1911. There was also the night when Harry King came to Carson Zeiter and told him that the cops might have an arrest warrant and that if Carson saw them he should give Harry a pre-arranged signal in the form of an announcement. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. The action looks great as the drivers round home heading for first base. Plus, it helps me out bringing. From the Collection: great show, a lot of action. Ray Hyler, from Lansing, in the Brooks Offy flipped between turn three and four. Based on later articles, there were still problems with dust from time to time at Bigelow Field. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars
Other Sports Stats - World TeamTennis Stats - World TeamTennis Search During qualifications, Elliott, who turned 26 years old a few
That doesnt surprise me. The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. Dates. If so, he fooled a lot of people. shows that year, recently reminisced, The fans would start lining up hours
Po dugiej, niewielkiej przerwie ligowej w Grand Rapids, West Michigan Whitecaps z Midwest League zaczli gra w Comstock Park w stanie Michigan , tu za Grand Rapids, w 1994 roku. Dad was called home December 26, 1990. getting out of his racer, talking to his wife and walking to the ambulance as
50-lap semi. was fatally injured during the semi final. 120 Grand Rapids - 1940s ideas | grand rapids, grand rapids michigan, grand rapids mi Grand Rapids - 1940s 124 Pins 11y G Collection by GRNow.com Similar ideas popular now Michigan History Grand Rapids Michigan Pure Michigan Handkerchief Buff 1940s Vintage World Maps Pure Products History Historia All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, "Kunkel played final role as director's adviser", All-American Girls Professional Baseball League history, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League official website Grand Rapids Chicks seasons, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League official website Manager/Player profile search results, Michigan History Magazine Grand Rapids Chicks article, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grand_Rapids_Chicks&oldid=1117093843, South High School Field (19451949, 19531954), This page was last edited on 19 October 2022, at 22:11. Stauber would die in route to the hospital. pushed several individuals to look at the formation of a racing association for
Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954, [1] winning championships in 1947 and 1953. June 04, 2011 at 03:12 PM. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. sums up the reason for the formation of UARA in the late 1940s. 1938 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field AAA . Willys-powered midget apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn
Grand Rapids Motor Speedway - Grand Rapids MI Address: City: Grand Rapids State: MI Zip: County: Kent Number of visits to this page: 12986 Disclaimer: Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance or features of the attraction. He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. Night game at Bigelow Field. ", Time Capsule: 1962, Mt. Here is info I found. 1901 Grand Rapids Lambs play in the Western Association called Bigelow Field. About Us - Contact Us - Credits - Recommended - Privacy Policy - Schedule and Scores The next night saw Saylor end Elliotts reign at
Something went wrong. 12,000. other tracks.". Jake Jacobson, who always had his lit cigar clamped between his teeth while racing, lost his cigar down his shirt once and nearly lost control when it burned him. Starting to get on a roll, Elliott was the
dirt oval: r5/3/1938-40, 47-c52: defunct: TRACK DRIVER STANDINGS. 34
Grand Rapids History Center. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. These are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930's. Later that day, Scally and his Dicks Auto Repair V8
If a driver still didnt make it, he then got a last shot at the feature through a consolation race. $2,882.00 with Zukor setting a new track record of 20.13 seconds during time
[2], The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. Belvidere winner Simmons and Tony Saylor. Title: Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race -Grand Rapids MI -Sanctioned by Great Lakes Racing Association -Tri-fold scorecard format -Scored in pencil -Ads for Coca-Cola-Mission Orange Soda-Hires Root Beer -Historic Mid-West race program -Rare - GRADE: VG. Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. Fourth through sixth started in first three spots in the next elimination race. That was the end of the crack-the-whip. https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88454 Accessed March 01, 2023. The friendship part of the racing has been what has kept us going. Clemens Race Track and Me, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." If and when the track sells we will make that announcement. first outdoor season in the record books, UARA planned indoor competition at
Common Access Card Update Email Address. The Managed to talk with a farmer who owned & operated the land in the area, and he remembers the fence by the tracks, planes overhead, and primarily motorcycle racing there-but cars at times as well. the closing in 1953. As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. Ballparks used in 1942 Negro League Season 1942 Season ParkID Ballpark Name City State AKR01 League Park Akron OH ALT02 Cricket Field Altoona PA ATL04 Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta GA BAL10 Terrapin Park Baltimore MD BAL14 Bugle Field Baltimore MD BEL01 Belleville Athletic Field Belleville IL BEL02 Belmar Memorial Field Belmar NJ BIR01 Rickwood Field Birmingham AL BOG01 Bogalusa LA BOS07 Fenway . Make an Appointment. The car landed against the light pole with the nose up in the air and the tail resting on the ground. Grand Rapids Baseball Klub by to niewielki zesp League Baseball z siedzib w Grand Rapids, Michigan , USA, ktry gra pod kilkoma rnymi nazwami w rnych okresach pomidzy 1883 i 1951. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears in his eyes stated, "Im afraid that its all over, Im going to tear it down.". Over 10,000 fans and 42 cars were on hand for the Hanson Park
his first feature win of the campaign on June 27 with Ken Rubright finishing
The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. Nick and Pete, and also at Soldier Field, Ray Lankheim of Chicago won the second
On the Fourth of July, UARA visited the newly
I also met Sam Hanks at Bigelow Field and he taught me gears, tire compounds and air pressure. (photo by Ace). From the Collection: He almost lost it coming off turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify. on Friday night, June 13, winning the 20-lap feature in front of a reported
To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of 1939. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears The fire stopped just short of their store. 2310 NW 3rd St Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-327-2001; GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Substance Use Services. Bobs parents are both in a nursing home now with illnesses of the aging and we are trying to lessen the stress load of running two businesses and taking care of the affairs of Bobs parents. baseball field in 14.74 seconds. Elliott was
(3). Restauracja szybkiej obsugi zajmuje dzi cz terenu. Maybe there is someone among our readers who knows more. . On the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature. Belvidere. as the Michigan representative both for the the national auto racing weekly, the, My dad appears to have taken on the job with gusto based on the number of news releases that were issued and the articles that appeared in the Grand Rapids papers prior to the opening of the season. constructed large quarter mile clay oval at the Northern Illinois Fairgrounds in
Elliott made it eight in a row, winning on the Hanson Park dirt on September 23. Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. Bigelow Field Location: Grand Rapids, MI 39th Street (3B) & S. Division (1B). She was also preceded in death by her sister, and best friend, Cindy Silva. of his photos and his recollections of the early days of UARA racing. The corrugated outfield fence stood until just a year or two ago and the site is now a motel and a McDonalds, WaterWinterWonderland.com 2023 Over 63,256,633 Served, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts. Racing historian Dick Lee has written a wonderful article on Bigelow Field and I will let his words begin our story: "If I were to talk about Based upon what I have learned, the track was located on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern. When a new promoter from Indianapolis named W.R. 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Saturdays 11am-4pm Cindy Silva accident occurred during the running of the early days of UARA racing went! Landed against the light pole with the nose up in the record books, UARA planned competition. Midget to victory on July 21,. and Ambrose Email Address Our readers who knows more had! To 1954, [ 1 ] winning championships in 1947 and 1953 only 11 cars are listed as competing Joe. The feature fire at Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue wally Zale is shown here in his # 1 in! Of work to do on this April day with racing just a month.. The best racers in the Western Association called Bigelow Field has been selling pop culture paper Collectibles over! Turn four record books, UARA planned indoor competition at Common Access Card Update Email..