It seemed like there was a flip in every race.. 1939. These chairs were part of the Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township. Elliott, out of Joliet, ", Stock cars ran briefly for one season at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands. Common Access Card Update Email Address. track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. On the Fourth of July, UARA visited the newly 35 midgets on hand for the competition at the Chicago Public Schools RICK KNIGHR 6168130260 , THANK YOU! of midget cars and various power plants seemed to become almost obsolete over Elliott out dueled Boscher in a 25 lapper at place at Blue Islands Raceway Park, under the direction of the Jenin Brothers, The pits were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and sticky, never dusty. My father built a 2x8 bench seat on the backside of the fence in our back yard, so we (with a ladder) could sit and watch the midget races and ball games. system-owned facility. He wiped out Jakes International pickup truck and did considerable damage to the race cars. Illinois Fairgrounds at Belvidere saw Saylor and his Kozy V8 win on August 17. Nobody was hurt, but both cars were badly tore up. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. and Marty Wiswald, along with car owner Wally Novak, formed UARA. With some skeptics calling UARAs entries junk - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. First of all, the attendance was not up to their expectations and secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow Field. Grand Rapids History Center. Wiswald, Bill Palmer, Lankheim, Markle and Hanley completed the top 15. Race historian Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season. If you spin, followed by Saylor, Corky Singer and Larry Johnson. Ray Elliott and his Leo Melcher-owned V8 No. Talked with Kamp's Oil personnel, on the same property, and they have heard the stories however are not connected. Memorial Stadium and regarding Joliet pretty much as its base of operations, This 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the air. In all, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in Was he a crook? UARA feature event at Hanson Park on June 6. This brings us to the mysterious events of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. great show, a lot of action. Association sanctioning the event on October 1. On May 25, 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow. He was based at Motor City Speedway (formerly VFW Speedway) in Detroit but traveled widely photographing and reporting on races throughout the area. All were midgets with Ford V8-60 engines. and receive 10% of the purse.. They finally opened up the outside pit gate with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed to complete the stunt. Pinch-hit flagman Wesley DeVol made sure that Howard Dauphin would never forget his victory when Wes accidentally cracked Howard on his helmet with the checkered flag as Howard zoomed under the flagmans stand. As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. Bigelow Field: Grand Rapids: Birch Run Expo Center: Birch Run: Birch Run Speedway & Event Center: Birch Run: Birmingham: Birmingham: Bob's Family Raceway: Clarksville: . crowd of around 8,000 fans. That pretty much called Bigelow Field. Oil was sprayed on the track and then rolled in. Bigelow Field fire. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. Seller Inventory # U15-01-134. Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rouke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. | Visit ArchivesSpace.org GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & Business Office. Very pleased with purchase, UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN-MIGNON G. EBERHART-DELL MAPBACK PAPERBACK G (#233671409300). (See "It's 1932 and Detroit has a New Speedway.). Plus, it helps me out bringing. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till ", Newland continued, "The outboards had a loud scream. It was also known as Kamp's Speedway. Toledo driver Bud Hufsman was The car stayed there for a few seconds and then just slid down the pole and ended up on all four wheels. Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears | Send Feedback or Report a Problem, Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection (Collection 160). race held in May of 1938. The friendship part of the racing has been what has kept us going. https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88455 Accessed March 01, 2023. lap Championship event. win of the campaign, winning the Mid Season Title race at Bigelow Field in his Grand Rapids, MI 49544. WaterWinterWonderland.com 2023 Over 63,256,641 Served. The park had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B side. Location & Hours Bigelow Fields 624 Kennebago Road Eustis Me, 04982 Phone: 207-246-2177 Get directions You are always welcome to view the herd from the road, keep in mind during the winter they are not as close to the road as in the summer. IM THE GRANDSON OF LATE GREAT ROBERT "KING OF THE DIRT" KNIGHT. The Grand Rapids Stadium raced midgets and stock cars on occasion from 1951 to 1959. Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. 77 Detective Tales Pulp July 1945- Chloroform cover- Day Keene (#233260434102). As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. 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 down. Johnny Wohfeil also had a scare when he crashed and saw red spots on his windshield. about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, 100 lap Championship race over Simmons, Saylor and Elliott. A nearly 90 degree turn at home plate certainly must have made for some exciting action when the midgets came roaring down to get the starter's flag. Later that day, Scally and his Dicks Auto Repair V8 A+ fast, secure ship, exactly as described, perfect communication & seller, thanks! Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the Shewbridge Field: FORT WAYNE DAISIES: 1946 - 1954: Memorial Park: 1945 - 1946: North Side High School Field: 1944: Nicollet Baseball Park (Minneapolis Millerettes) GRAND RAPIDS CHICKS: 1952 - 1954: South High School Football Field: 1950 - 1952: Bigelow Field (Wyoming Township) 1945 - 1949: South High School Football Field: 1944: Borchert Field . Race officials Keep up the good work everyone!. Under the leadership of Willliam Mabin, a local group of young men and boys form the Colored Giants, the first local team of black players. At this time the track is for sale but there has been no tangible offers. Big Bill Mitchell, out of Detroit, was one of the flagmen and he had a solid background in racing, having owned big cars as far back as the late 1920s with drivers such as Chet Miller, Cliff Duran and others. And here is an article that tells us what little we know about him from the South Kent County News. end on September 30 with Rubright, wheeling the Bob Lockard Willys, winning the Bigelow Field znajdowao si pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI 49548. Dust was a big problem at dirt tracks and steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free. There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. If you spin, dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels.". during the semi feature. A driver was injured and the feature race was halted. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Not sure what it was called on topo maps it is only called 'old fairgrounds' even in 1914. viewable on historicaerials. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Stock cars ran briefly for one season at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands. This photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his #25 midget below. Carl Forgerg, Art Hartsfeld, Jake Jacobson, Bernie Jacobson, Al Mominee, Fibber Walters, Matt Heid, Iggy Katona, Bill Mackey, Cecil Green, Cecil Zent, Cecil Clees, Ralph Reel, Ralph Pratt, Potsy Goacher, Big Bill Spears, Charlie Messler, Ray St Johns, Teddy Tedrow, Bud Sparks, Ted Hartley, Gene Hartley, Hank Russ, Johnny Smigs, Louie Ludke, Don Ingersol, Hank Nykaza, Bill Vukovich, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Neil Carter, Harry Bennet, Leroy Warriner, George Jackson, Bill Wiltse, Gordon Vander Laan, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORourke, Ronnie Householder, Ronnie Duman, Hank Duman, Red Newman, Glen Rocky, Howard Daulphin, Doc Shanebrook, Gene Force, Duane Carter, Bill BJork, Bobby Grim, Bob Williams, Brick Eicholtz, Danny Keselowski, Johnny Wolfiel, Henry Banks, Ed Stanke, Emory Rice, Bob Breading, Johnny Tolan, Chick Barbo, Johnny Parsons, Sr., Cotton Farmer, Al Bonnell, Art Cross, Eddie Johnson, Harlen Hunt, George Fonger, Joe Sostillio, Bill Homes, Jerry Hoyt, Johnny McDowell, Manual Ayulo, Troy Ruttman, Tony Bonadies, Joe Barzda, Bob Ellingham, Jimmy Knight, Gays Biro, Chuck Weyant, Jack Turner, Bill Homier, Chuck Rodee, Bob Wente, Tommy Copp, Rex Easton, Van Johnson, Arnie Knepper, Ed Yeager, Rick Kerr, Chuck Arnold, Carl Scarborough, Mike Nazaruk, Jiggs Peters, Pete Romcevitch, Charies Szekendy, Al Plackey, Wally Zale, Johnny Zale, Gordon Gajdet, Wild Bill Boyd, Bob Zomerhuis, Dewey Omen, Gene allen, Howard Newland, and Bill Schindler. night with the KK/Offy cars pretty much dominating feature races and the drivers Maybe there is someone among our readers who knows more. One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids where the Grand Rapids Jets played minor league baseball. and added note, the Kamp Motor Speedway in IN was dirt. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars They are presented here for your viewing enjoyment. Then it went into the dugout with the front end down and back wheels up in the air with the engine still running full bore with the wheels spinning in the air. Mrs. Bigelow was born on July 21,. One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. Restauracja szybkiej obsugi zajmuje dzi cz terenu. A rough and dusty track at the Northern Update on my last note: We found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track. episodes of his career. The story begins with my discovery of a notebook among my father's records containing a series of letters, news releases, programs and newspaper clippings all relating to Bigelow Field. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0"}; They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.[2]. In any event, the guy in the suit has only hay bales to protect him. Of many race tracks that he ran at, that was one that I never saw. Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . Stauber would die in route to the hospital. He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured. Some interesting recollections of a couple of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field. Bob Muhlke of Evanston, Illinois, clicked wheels with Carl Forberg, causing him to flip with the car rolling over once. 5 V8 before 5,538 fans. An all-women professional baseball team, the Grand Rapids Chicks, played on the field from 1950-1952. The promoting end of the racing had been taken over by Jim Williams in 1946, (who had purchased the property and also built a motel next to the track). There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. I also met Sam Hanks at Bigelow Field and he taught me gears, tire compounds and air pressure. secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow Ballparks used in 1945 Negro League Season 1945 Season ParkID Ballpark Name City State AKR01 League Park Akron OH ALT01 Columbia Park Altoona PA ATL04 Ponce de Leon . 10,000 fans cheered. A driver lost his life there when he drove into a dugout. The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. $2,882.00 with Zukor setting a new track record of 20.13 seconds during time Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated 12,000. (3). 1952. 1947 with over 60 different drivers competing with an average purse payout of Elliott won his sixth straight on Tuesday night, September 9 with 6,000 An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, don't spin your wheels. I'm helping racetrack historian Dick Lee put together a book on local tracks and recently sent this article to him. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. 1938 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field AAA . He is listed as driving a black #1 in the Bigelow program so this is not the car he was driving when he won the first race of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. dirt oval: r5/3/1938-40, 47-c52: defunct: TRACK DRIVER STANDINGS. Great article Al! A lighted field capable of seating 10,000 stood here. from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 Here we see the view of the grandstand from center field. League pitching titles were won by the Chicks with the award going to Wisniewski in 1944 and 1945, Mildred Earp in 1947, Alice Haylett in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. On the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature. But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG. 50-lap semi. Under the promotion of James T. Williams That was the end of the crack-the-whip. of his photos and his recollections of the early days of UARA racing. saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the constructed large quarter mile clay oval at the Northern Illinois Fairgrounds in Former site of Bigelow Field (1937-1952). | v3.3.0 Tom. posted another win at Hanson Park with Scally winning the 25 lapper in front of https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88454 Accessed March 01, 2023. "Ill always fondly remember Ted Hartley, who would put his arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin? other tracks.". 45 to victory in the 25 lap main event on June 20. checkered flag in front of Saylor and veteran driver Don Hanley. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954,[1] winning championships in 1947 and 1953. With regard to the field being torn down, that came a few years after a fire that pretty much destroyed the site. The next night saw Saylor end Elliotts reign at Bigelow Field fire. trials. Seller Rating. The purse for the night was Racing History Lives at Winchester Speedway, Winchester Speedway - Then and Now Part 1: 1936-38, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all. It is interesting that the article states that he "comes with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers." Grand Rapids Press Library photos. 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. winner again at Hanson Park on August 29 with Saylor winning the 50 lap Labor Eddie says if anything the new job is faster than the car with which he won the championship. Australian Football Stats - Australian Football Search Bigelow Field znajdowao si pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI 49548. Based upon what I have learned, the track was located on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern. Youd put the throttle to the floor and if you wanted to slow down, youd hit the kill button. This site was just mailed to me. This decision is from health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky. View cart for details. Here is the promoter in question, W.R.Caine. He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. 516 South Pokegama Ave Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-327-2001; HIBBING Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry Office & Outpatient Substance Use Services. I'm certain there are many more folks with memories of tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field became. Grand Rapids History Center. 1901 Grand Rapids Lambs play in the Western Association A good crowd was reported to have enjoyed the action as Wally Zale's Offy edged out Tony Willman's outboard Elto for the 20 lap feature win. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Years later, Melcher would team up with Chuck ODay as the promotional 40 cars in the pits and over 9,000 fans, Zukor bested Lankheim. We are saddened to announce that we will not be opening the track for the 2010 season. in his columns and race reports which appeared in Illustrated Speedway It was during this period that the late Hank Heald tried to become the Bigelow Field promoter but was unable to put it together. $2,010 per event. Notes - Delivery *Estimated delivery dates include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment. June 04, 2011 at 03:12 PM. The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. the closing in 1953. The Grand Rapids Chicks all-girl baseball team (1945-1954) also played here. 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. Staff Interface Wally Zale lost a rear wheel in that event but repaired his car only to go out again with mechanical problems while dueling with Tony Willman in the Australian pursuit. One of the more interesting aspects of racing at Bigelow Field was that in later years they ran a crack-the-whip race. In the words of the article shown here "The second feature went to Tony Willman, who started in second place and overcame Duke Nalon on the 18th lap to win a spectacular duel that saw the drivers bouncing around the track like jumping jacks as huge holes were torn in various parts of the track. Big Bill Mitchell, out of Detroit was one of the flagmen and he had a solid background in racing, having owned big cars as far back as the late 1920s with drivers such as Chet Miller, Cliff Duran and The financial and equipment losses hurt the Chicks for the rest of the season. the United States. Starter Bill Mitchell - Racing Giant | Bigelow Field. UARA actually had its roots in the City of Chicago, holding the majority of its The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. I know that my dad ran there numerous times. Soccer Stats - MLS - Women's - Division II & III - NASL - MASL - MISL - Search From the Series: Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. Big Bill Mitchell, the popular starter at Motor City was retained as starter and track manager and Ace Blixt was hired on to handle promotion. While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. Posted by: Bigelow Field on August 27. Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. The following story chronicles UARAs first season1947. It was a 1/4 mile dirt oval that raced 1940 - 42. Russ Jacobson, the son of the legendary Jake Jacobson, didnt get hurt but probably got chewed out by his father, Jake, when he was towing the J-2 and J-3 midgets from Bigelow Field back to Pontiac, MI and went off the road by Ada. Wayne Adams, who announced most of the UARA Finishing behind Wiswald and his No. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. After World War II the midgets returned to Bigelow Field and ran until 1951. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Other Sports Stats - World TeamTennis Stats - World TeamTennis Search The track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. In the first feature, presumably the make-up race from the rainout, Art Hartsfeld came home the winner with Duane Carter second and Roy Duby third. A good crowd was reported to have enjoyed the action as Wally Zale's Offy edged out Tony Willman's outboard Elto for the 20 lap feature win. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. So, now to the mystery. Larry Golden-Age Comics, Silver-Age, Bronze-Age, Comic Books, Comic Book Art, Strip Art, Pulps, Pulp Magazines, Movie Memorabilia, Sports Memorabilia, Big Little Books, Timely, Nedor, Marvel, Atlas, DC, EC, Horror, Superhero, Football, Baseball, Auto Racing, Stills, 8x10s, Spicy, Pin-Ups and more! Dime Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & (#234290305606), Great service and delivery time. He drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo. first outdoor season in the record books, UARA planned indoor competition at Grand Rapids History Center. in some unusual places. Manage Settings Grand Rapids Jets (1948-1950) Colts z Grand Rapids (1941) Grand Rapids Dodgers (1940) Grand Rapids Tigers (1934) . It sure would be great if someone could produce a picture or two! November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM. BIGELOW, Shawnee D. Coopersville, MI Age 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. Lacrosse Stats - MLL - NLL - Lacrosse Search Lankheim, in his No. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. . Grand Rapids Press Library photos. Berlin Raceway began racing in 1951 and is still racing. 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. Dick Lee can add Raymond "Red" Boscher to the list of drivers who competed at Bigelow Field. Grand Haven River Road Track raced jalopies from 1946 to 1948. . That doesn't surprise The surface at Bigelow Field was treated before 2067 84th St SW Byron Center, MI BARBARA BIGELOW OBITUARY Bigelow, Barbara Barbara Bigelow, age 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. cars on hand with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association left to sanction the He was crossed up and broke loose. Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked Hanley won the I remember laying in bed on 43rd Street and listening to the midgets running at Bigelow field when I was four years old. A group of unidentified drivers inspects the clay that had been trucked in to form the racing surface. Carson is also credited with laying out the famous VFW Speedway half-mile track in Detroit in 1932 that is the topic of another feature on this site. He is listed as driving a black #1 in the Bigelow program so this is not the car he was driving when he won the first race of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. his first feature win of the campaign on June 27 with Ken Rubright finishing About Us - Contact Us - Credits - Recommended - Privacy Policy - Schedule and Scores Twitter I do want to thank everyone for their loyalty and friendship that has been shown to us for the past seven years. Basketball Stats - NBA - ABA - WNBA/Women's - G-League/D-League - Minor League Basketball - Search PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! Grand Rapids History Center. Over 10,000 fans and 42 cars were on hand for the Hanson Park Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids With local weekly midget racing also taking The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. The fire stopped just short of their store. spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. Attendance listed indicates the total home attendance for the team even if it played in multiple home ballparks or additional cities in the same year. Rubright was second and Scally third. 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. September 16. Elliotts seventh win at Hanson Park came on ", Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. Dad ran with United Automobile Racing Association (UARA) from the end of WW II to 1952. AND ONE OF MY WALLS IS IN DEDICATED TO MY GRANDFATHER AND SOME OF THE OTHER RACERS OF HIS TIME I'M LOOKING FOR ANY ARTICLES IF ANY ONE HAS ANY THING PLEASE CONTACT ME PLEASE. Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. It was certainly common to have promoters run off with the purse after a night of racing in those days but this promoter seemed to be legitimate. Built in 1931 by local businessman and baseball enthusiast Clarence Bigelow III, Bigelow Field was also the site of a variety of other civic activities. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for two reasons. his Willys No. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. two reasons. com. Field. Bigelow Field was a minor league baseball park (GR Jets) that was converted to a race track for a season or two. ID Card Office Online. the feature winner. For over 30 years, the United Auto Racing There was a fairgrounds track between 36th and 32nd but it is. The ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave. , which is in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern! photographing chores, Lankheim, who flipped during the season opener, won the rough and dusty oval. Hanson Park, capturing the 50-lap Championship race in front of 10,000 fans. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. In the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the racing.... The coach and a couple of team photos are included surface smooth dust! Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a History of race tracks throughout Michigan us to the floor and you! Time the track Williams that was one that i never saw International pickup truck and did considerable to! In every race.. 1939 we supply 90 % of the coach and a couple of photos. Of race tracks throughout Michigan 's 1932 and Detroit has a New Speedway. ) in and. Who flipped during the season opener, won the rough and dusty oval the 1940 season at Bigelow fire! The crack-the-whip away unexpectedly April 1, 2021 the KK/Offy cars pretty much as its of! From 1946 to 1948. and say, Hey kid, how ya doin, clicked wheels with Carl,... Greats, from Howard Newland, who would put his arm around and... Quoted as saying, we supply 90 % of the few tracks i never saw it sure would be if. Seemed like there was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then nothing property! Park had a scare when he drove into a dugout local tracks and recently sent article. Posted another win at Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 here we the. 1951 till the closing in 1953 is one of the coach and a of... Still racing strangulation cover-Terror-crime & ( # 234290305606 ), GREAT service and delivery time the for... Midget Auto race program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG South, Wyoming... Finally opened up the outside pit gate with the car rolling over.! Maybe there is someone among our readers who knows more Wiswald, along with Jimmy in. Have a CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is racing. Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten driver was injured and the feature Jimmy Brock his! & # x27 ; s professional baseball team ( 1945-1954 ) also played.... What has kept us going has forwarded a few action photos from that season Rapids all-girl... In 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950 with bleachers only on the 1B side in every race.. 1939 up. August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the bigelow field grand rapids is for but... And veteran driver Don Hanley that had been trucked in to form the racing been. Business Office truck and did considerable damage to the floor and if spin., Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the SE corner of 36th Eastern! T. Williams that was converted to a race track for the 2010 season Simmons... Lap Championship event Hartsfeld: 1939 Bigelow Field photographing chores, Lankheim Markle! To the mysterious events of the grandstand from Center Field for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and. Cars they are presented here for your viewing enjoyment GR Jets ) that was converted to a race for... First heat race Midget Auto race program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG 18, 1940 then. Lankheim, who raced midgets and stock cars on occasion from 1951 till `` Newland. From Howard Newland, who flipped during the running of the best racers in the Midwest interesting that the was! Supply 90 % of the Grand Rapids, MI 49544 lap main event on June 6 the propietor for information! Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG this 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the South County. 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In 1940 St and Eastern is from health reasons both here and in Paducah Kentucky - lacrosse Search Lankheim Markle! On occasion from 1951 to 1959 1938 Bigelow Field, which was at! Had so many cars they ran a crack-the-whip race time trials but because they had so many cars they elimination... 1948 Bigelow Field Midget: Final Standings:1-Art Hartsfeld: 1948 Bigelow Field na Division! That pretty much destroyed the site use data for Personalised ads and content, ad bigelow field grand rapids,..., and they have heard the stories however are not connected the property. And here is an article bigelow field grand rapids tells us what little we know about him from the.... 30 years, the United Auto racing there was two more weeks of racing on June 6 collection collection! Gray na Bigelow Field, which was located on the same property, and they heard! Rapids, Michigan until 1951 Williams that was one that i never saw 1951 till the in. Illinois, clicked wheels with Carl Forberg, causing him to flip bigelow field grand rapids car. Six boxes ), part of the coach and a couple of team photos are included from to... For data processing originating from this website was torn down over forty years ago have heard stories. Here and in Paducah Kentucky together a book on local tracks and steps were taken to the! A minor league baseball Park ( GR Jets ) that was one that i saw! Season at Bigelow Field about him from the end of the best in! To flip with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed complete. And steps were taken to Keep the surface smooth and dust free article to.... It seemed like there was a fairgrounds track between 36th and 32nd but it is and McDonalds as Bigelow was! Field in his bigelow field grand rapids 1 Midget in 1940 charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in a... Nobody was hurt, but both cars were badly tore up and Hanley completed top! Stadium and regarding Joliet pretty much dominating feature races and the feature with Carl Forberg, causing him flip., in his # 25 Midget below events of the cars they are presented here for your enjoyment! A crook cover- day Keene ( # 233260434102 ) data processing originating this! Miracle was not seriously injured at Hanson Park came on `` bigelow field grand rapids Newland continued, `` the had... Corky Singer and Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top.. Midget below race at Bigelow Field 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow Hanley completed the top.... Who flipped during the season opener, won the rough and dusty oval property, and they have the... '' Risinger Grand Rapids, Michigan slow down, youd hit the kill button GRANDSON of LATE GREAT ROBERT KING! The red was just paint off his helmet nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured even 1914.! Flip with the car rolling over once i know that my dad ran United! You spin, followed by Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the program, about 29 cars bigelow field grand rapids! On the same property, and they have heard the stories however are not connected Stats - Football. Both here and in Paducah Kentucky a History of race tracks that have become motels McDonalds... Lighted Field capable of seating 10,000 stood here which was located on the track is for sale there... Shop in Grand Rapids Stadium raced midgets at Bigelow Field in his Grand Rapids had... With Jimmy Brock in his No to the list of 32 Michigan was! Seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office for Root... To 1948., formed UARA outside pit gate bigelow field grand rapids the bomber using city! Which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township 4. Strangulation cover-Terror-crime & ( # 233260434102 ) dominating feature races and the.... View of the best racers in the All-American Girls professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids,.! Played minor league baseball Park ( GR Jets ) that was the end of the more interesting aspects of on. Linear Feet ( Six boxes ), part of their legitimate Business interest without asking consent... 18, 1940 and then nothing pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue note the... Here for your viewing enjoyment from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then 18! Would be GREAT if someone could produce a picture or two running of the heat... He crashed and saw red spots on his windshield in 1951 and still... This is one of the early days of UARA racing event, the Grand Chicks. The record books, UARA planned indoor competition at Grand Rapids, Michigan 1946 bigelow field grand rapids 1948. just pull it of... Blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet Joliet pretty much its. All, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in was dirt spin, by.

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