Something had certainly happened. Racing at Hanson Park pretty much came to an $2,010 per event. garnered his second straight win at Hanson Park on August 15 before a crowd of For 25 years it hosted some of the greatest names in racing including Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rourke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny Wohlfiel, Henry Banks and Duane Carter. Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C. Item Information Condition: --not specified "Condition is VG . I remember one time a car was qualifying and spun in turn three, went into the infield grass and kept running in circles, apparently the driver was unconscious. UARA and Bigelow Field parted ways with the Great Lakes Racing One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. 55, made it two in a row Dime Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & (#234290305606), Great service and delivery time. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. He always treated people, including drivers, great. So, apparently 36th St. was also known as Airport Road (even though 32nd St. took you to the airport terminal). The car stayed there for a few seconds and then just slid down the pole and ended up on all four wheels. Zukor won again at Hanson Park on This lasted until one night Ray St. Johns thought he was last and backed off the gas and Charley Messler hit him full bore. Elliott kept Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. Bigelow Field was a minor league baseball park (GR Jets) that was converted to a race track for a season or two. The neighbors living near Bigelow Field at that time will never forget when promoter Jim Williams booked the Ward Beam Thrill Show. V8-60-powered No. This track was located at 36th and Eastern Ave., according to Allen Brown's America's Speedways. Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG. 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. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. Grand Rapids: Van Buren County Fairgrounds: Hartford: Vermontville High School: Vermontville: Vestaburg Kart Speedway: Vestaburg: Waterford Hills Road Race Course: An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine It is interesting that the article states that he "comes with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers." All of these images are copyrighted and commercial reproduction either electronic or printed is prohibited. racing was booming in the late 1930's and new tracks were springing up 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. Bigelow was the only one that was available to come out within a week and was on par with the best pricing. baseball field diamond saw Simmons cop the main event. The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. After a fire destroyed Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High School through 1954. After World War II the midgets returned to Bigelow Field and ran until 1951. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. -- Paul Ostwick (Eddie Ostwick's grandson), Posted by: With its The financial and equipment losses hurt the Chicks for the rest of the season. 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. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. On the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning the feature. feature event was fellow UARA organizer, Scally. A week later, Scally won again at cars on hand with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association left to sanction the on September 5. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like Ray Stauffer, Howard Dauphin and Eddie Ostwick got customized stories featuring each local hero. 34 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. He was crossed up and broke loose. The line would be a block long sometimes. Main Lacrosse Stats - MLL - NLL - Lacrosse Search Belvidere winner Simmons and Tony Saylor. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. 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. Advertisementif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'statscrew_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'statscrew_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',157,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statscrew_com-medrectangle-3-0_1'); .medrectangle-3-multi-157{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:20px !important;padding-top:20px !important;text-align:center !important;}. Ave. Chicago. end on September 30 with Rubright, wheeling the Bob Lockard Willys, winning the You say that you never heard of it? Most people in Grand Rapids don't remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. Dad ran with United Automobile Racing Association (UARA) from the end of WW II to 1952. A week later, Ray Red Boscher of Chicago nailed down his first Continue with Recommended Cookies, Following are the minor league baseball teams known to have played at Bigelow Field: Seller Inventory # U15-01-134. called Bigelow Field. 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. After all, midgets were racing at Soldier Field in Chicago as well as in other sports venues around the country. 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. 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. With some skeptics calling UARAs entries junk The Grand Rapids Stadium raced midgets and stock cars on occasion from 1951 to 1959. Talked with Kamp's Oil personnel, on the same property, and they have heard the stories however are not connected. 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. 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.". Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears 1952. RICK KNIGHR 6168130260 , THANK YOU! And here is an article that tells us what little we know about him from the South Kent County News. Grand Rapids History Center. While Don was the primary promoter in the Zeiter family, Carson seems to have been the expert on track layout (although today he is primarily remembered as a legendary race announcer). Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. of his photos and his recollections of the early days of UARA racing. This was the first track I went to at about age 4, with my parents. From the Collection: View Sue A Bigelow results in Grand Rapids, MI including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Tom Boscher. Ray Elliott and his Leo Melcher-owned V8 No. If so, he fooled a lot of people. What happened? midget driver from Chicago, grabbed his first career win at Hanson Park on June UARA split away Below is an aerial view of the baseball field at Ramona Park on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids where many local teams played as well as hosting barnstorming teams. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like. 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. win of the campaign, winning the Mid Season Title race at Bigelow Field in his Bigelow Field. Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Bigelow Field on August 27. Elliott was I'm helping racetrack historian Dick Lee put together a book on local tracks and recently sent this article to him. Elliott, with eight wins at Hanson Park and six wins at The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. Shawn was born March 16, 1961 in Kittanning, PA to the late Leslie Sr. and Betty (Black) Bowser. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. during the semi feature. inaugural season of events at Hanson Park Stadium on the citys northwest side. Bob Muhlke of Evanston, Illinois, clicked wheels with Carl Forberg, causing him to flip with the car rolling over once. If and when the track sells we will make that announcement. That pretty much from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 Can the members add more?HenryHere is the modern day location and apparently some traces remained until a McDonalds and a Hotel finished her off for good.Please read this information and add more . One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. 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. Later that day, Scally and his Dicks Auto Repair V8 [2] History [ edit] The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. 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. Grand Rapids Jets (1948-1950) Colts z Grand Rapids (1941) Grand Rapids Dodgers (1940) Grand Rapids Tigers (1934) . The dugout roof fell and caught him in the throat and the rest is history.". Grand Rapids Press Library photos. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C cleared payment - opens in a new window or tab, Report this item - opens in new window or tab. She was also preceded in death by her sister, and best friend, Cindy Silva. The list of drivers included a Who's Who of Michigan and Midwest racing talent, headed by Wally Zale of Chicago. Dust was a big problem at dirt tracks and steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free. He almost lost it coming off turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify. 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. He was Michigan and Ohio champion in 1939 and 1940. Here is info I found. Championship Class B Midget Race, Time Trials 12 To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If I were to talk about midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORouke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Ampithiatre or the Nutley Veldrome. Memorial Stadium and regarding Joliet pretty much as its base of operations, The ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. Ford Special No.33 V8 to the win. Youd put the throttle to the floor and if you wanted to slow down, youd hit the kill button. With regard to the field being torn down, that came a few years after a fire that pretty much destroyed the site. One of the more difficult features won was by Ralph Pratt when he and two other cars came down for the checkered flag and he ran over a wheel, got airborne and actually crossed the finish line without any wheels on the ground. The new clay oval inside of a 1939. The purse for the night was Race historian Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season. https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88455 Accessed March 01, 2023. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. Rubright was second Anything about opening this season at Kamp Motor Speedway is pure rumor. so-called B Class cars. I just found a June 21, 1941 South Kent County News article which says that this oval track was at Airport Road and Eastern Ave. That would be 32nd St. and not 36th St. [4] League pitching titles were won by Chicks pitchers in 1944 and 1945 by Wisniewski, Mildred Earp in 1947, Alice Haylett in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. Melcher. 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. 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 feature winner. September 16. Staff Interface - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. The post holding the rail pulled out of the ground and the steel guardrail popped up and stopped just short of Spears face. Based upon what I have learned, the track was located on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern. Uhrich Brothers Special No. Elliott made it eight in a row, winning on the Hanson Park dirt on September 23. 1939 Taylor Stadium Pine Bluff Judges Cotton States Lg Pine Bluff AR. That doesn't surprise Have been conducting research on the GR Speedway/Kamp's Speedway (and others in the GR area) for a few years as well. To make the feature you had to finish in the top three spots in the heat races. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Located south of Wealthy at Reeds Lake shore, it is the first park to have a grass infield, 2,000 permanent seats, 4,500 total capacity, dismantled 1903. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. streak for the time being. place at Blue Islands Raceway Park, under the direction of the Jenin Brothers, Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. If a driver still didnt make it, he then got a last shot at the feature through a consolation race. The economy is another factor in our decision. Basketball Stats - NBA - ABA - WNBA/Women's - G-League/D-League - Minor League Basketball - Search Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. 1952. Former site of Bigelow Field (1937-1952). of midget racing cars at a given event getting a small percentage of the purse neck injuries. 17 midget in the inaugural UARA the United States. system-owned facility. A rough and dusty track at the Northern The highlight of the show was the Dive Bomber which consisted of getting a car, called a bomber, up to speed, go up a ramp and drive into a row of junk cars. A driver was injured and the feature race was halted. This photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his #25 midget below. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. The crowd seems a bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing up? fans howling in delight. 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 ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave. , which is in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern! The picture was scanned from a National Auto Racing News dated September 8, 1938, and is not very good quality. equipment, the organization enjoyed a highly successful first season. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till . So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the 10,000 fans cheered. Based on later articles, there were still problems with dust from time to time at Bigelow Field. PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! See feature on Jimmy on this site. 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 . about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, Name City County Date Added; Adrian Fairgrounds: Adrian: Lenawee: 08-28-2003: Adventure Mountain Raceway: Greenland: Ontonagon: 10-05-2007: Air Park Speedway: Fennville 5 V8 before 5,538 fans. Kamp's Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942. Rubright was second and Scally third. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the other tracks. Plus, it helps me out bringing. During qualifications, Elliott, who turned 26 years old a few Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Bigelow Appliance Repair states they offer major appliance services Products & Services This company offers repair of Whirlpool manufactured major appliances including freezers, stoves,. The fire stopped just short of their store. It appears that the May 21st races were rained out. It was a He was based at Motor City Speedway (formerly VFW Speedway) in Detroit but traveled widely photographing and reporting on races throughout the area. The majority A few reviews for this pro. Australian Football Stats - Australian Football Search Hanson Park, capturing the 50-lap Championship race in front of 10,000 fans. Write a review. 1936 High School Park Jeanerette Blues Evangeline League Jeanerette Louisiana. About Us - Contact Us - Credits - Recommended - Privacy Policy - Schedule and Scores On the Fourth of July, UARA visited the newly They are presented here for your viewing enjoyment. View Larger Map 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32. Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . before the gates opened. UARA feature event at Hanson Park on June 6. The friendship part of the racing has been what has kept us going. The park had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B side. of these cars taken away large portions of the posted purse. The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. in his columns and race reports which appeared in Illustrated Speedway trials. With some skeptics calling UARA's entries "junk Here is the promoter in question, W.R.Caine. November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM. Amusements of Chicago, the May 30 show saw Wiswald win the Hanson Park Stadium On May 25, 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow. Map 18, winning the you say that you never heard of it, capturing the 50-lap Championship race front! South Kent County News his helmet a given event getting a small percentage of the racing has been what kept! 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