Actually Id be talking about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Bigelow Field. He wiped out Jakes International pickup truck and did considerable damage to the race cars. 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. Common Access Card Update Email Address. So, apparently 36th St. was also known as Airport Road (even though 32nd St. took you to the airport terminal). Wayne Adams, who announced most of the UARA UARA officials included Scally as President, 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. On the Fourth of July, UARA visited the newly Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids 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. 34 Rapids where the Grand Rapids Jets played minor league baseball. September 16. Seller Inventory # U15-01-134. A driver was injured and the feature race was halted. UARA ventured out of state to Bigelow Field in I remember laying in bed on 43rd Street and listening to the midgets running at Bigelow field when I was four years old. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Following are the minor league baseball teams known to have played at Bigelow Field: Elliott kept It was in 1938 that Carson A week later, Scally won again at Something had certainly happened. Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids Speedrome when it was built in 1950. 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. was fatally injured during the semi final. getting out of his racer, talking to his wife and walking to the ambulance as Here is info I found. Uhrich Brothers Special No. It was also known as Kamp's Speedway. Two days earlier, Ambrose won at Michigans 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 . Elliott won his sixth straight on Tuesday night, September 9 with 6,000 Hanley won the The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of It sure would be great if someone could produce a picture or two! Melcher. Football Stats - NFL - CFL - AFL - Arena Football - Indoor Football - Search Bigelow Field - Grand Rapids MI Address: 39th Street and S. Division City: Grand Rapids State: MI Zip: 49548 County: Kent Number of visits to this page: 18792 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. Bigelow Field as the Joliet driver captured the feature in front of over 4,500 Willys-powered midget apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn photographing chores, Lankheim, who flipped during the season opener, won the The grounds were still being used for baseball where Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. night with the KK/Offy cars pretty much dominating feature races and the drivers If you spin, dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels.". on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. 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. saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the Of many race tracks that he ran at, that was one that I never saw. Zukor won again at Hanson Park on Bigelow Field Grand Rapids Colts Michigan State Lg Grand Rapids MI. (photo by Ace). Description No description has been provided for this pro. Dust was a big problem at dirt tracks and steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free. 1943-2009 If anyone has information on any of the aforementioned UARA midget race cars, please contact me. 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. The dugout roof fell and caught him in the throat and the rest is history.". Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. A McDonalds and a 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 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. 1939-1938 lap Championship event. He was Michigan and Ohio champion in 1939 and 1940. Elliott, with eight wins at Hanson Park and six wins at streak for the time being. On August 6, Elliott captured his second win at Posted by: 55, made it two in a row That would have been from 1945 to 1954. other tracks.". Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. The fire stopped just short of their store. 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. the Chicagoland area, drivers Lou Scally, whose real name was Lou Scaramuzzo, The only clue we have is a line in Dick Lee's story that states, "1940 found a new promoter out of the Indianapolis area who failed to pay some purses and soon vanished." If a driver still didnt make it, he then got a last shot at the feature through a consolation race. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. of midget racing cars at a given event getting a small percentage of the purse It was in 1938 that Carson Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first race held in May of 1938. This was the first track I went to at about age 4, with my parents. UARA and Bigelow Field parted ways with the Great Lakes Racing 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. More Info. Someone at CSRA seems to have vouched for him. He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. 2310 NW 3rd St Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-327-2001; GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Substance Use Services. of his photos and his recollections of the early days of UARA racing. Bigelow Field on August 27. 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. Australian Football Stats - Australian Football Search Thanks, Gayle Kamp Kamp Motor Speedway, LLC just thought this might be interesting and you may want to reach out to them and ask if they were indeed affiliated. 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;}. Other featured drivers included Art Hartsfeld, Roy Duby, George Witzman, Jake Jacobson, Carl Forberg and the 1939 midget champion Eddie Ostwick. headliner on September 3 before 6,602 fans and his fifth straight at Hanson Park baseball field in 14.74 seconds. Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday night, June 16. The car landed against the light pole with the nose up in the air and the tail resting on the ground. Bigelow Field fire. the 1940 season with "a special speedway oil applied under pressure at This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. At this time the track is for sale but there has been no tangible offers. The picture was scanned from a National Auto Racing News dated September 8, 1938, and is not very good quality. Elliott, out of Joliet, Dad was called home December 26, 1990. Tom. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 pits were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and sticky, never dusty. the United States. View Sue A Bigelow results in Grand Rapids, MI including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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. 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. The track was rough with some Bigelow Field znajdowao si pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI 49548. secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow After all, midgets were racing at Soldier Field in Chicago as well as in other sports venues around the country. "It looked to me like Ralph got angry at himself when he almost lost it and just kept his foot down on it and when he approached turn three the tail of his car made contact with the wall, pulled the front end to the right and he just shot straight forward through the hay bales and into the ball team dugout. 1/4 mi. The majority Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. Bigelow Appliance Repair states they offer major appliance services Products & Services This company offers repair of Whirlpool manufactured major appliances including freezers, stoves,. This brings us to the mysterious events of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. At least, they are mysterious to me. 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32. - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. crowd of around 8,000 fans. Copy to clipboard. Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. Midget again, coincidental. Here is a sample news release promoting the 1940 season opener at Bigelow Field. Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked United Auto Racing Association, 4453 Archer The midgets returned again in 1953, until the grandstands burned. This 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the air. Night game at Bigelow Field. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. She was preceded in. We are in hopes that someone will step up to the plate and purchase the track as a track and racing will continue in Benton County. The crowd seems a bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing up? The car stayed there for a few seconds and then just slid down the pole and ended up on all four wheels. Rubright came home second with Simmons third. An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine shows that year, recently reminisced, The fans would start lining up hours The line would be a block long sometimes. There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. Refresh your browser window to try again. midget driver from Chicago, grabbed his first career win at Hanson Park on June 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. Sometimes a guy would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled. included starter Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles second and Chick Markle nailed down third. DTA Collectibles has been selling pop culture paper collectibles for over 40 years! Elliotts seventh win at Hanson Park came on We ask you consult the propietor for current information. PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! I know that my dad ran there numerous times. (3). he ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. Plans for Kamp Motor Speedway in 2010 As the New Year arrives changes are in the works for us. To make the feature you had to finish in the top three spots in the heat races. 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.. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated That doesnt surprise me. and Marty Wiswald, along with car owner Wally Novak, formed UARA. during the semi feature. The entry way to Bigelow Field for the midgets was off Loraine Street. The ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave. , which is in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern! Fedel. Day Classic at Hanson Park on September 1, ending the Elliott/Melcher winning Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of Eddie says if anything the new job is faster than the car with which he won the championship. ", Time Capsule: 1962, Mt. He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. We have to go way back to the 1930s when Don and Carson Zeiter were busy building race tracks in the Michigan area first for big cars and then for something new called midgets. Under the promotion of James T. Williams Make an Appointment. 35 midgets on hand for the competition at the Chicago Public Schools 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. Scally posted Illinois Fairgrounds at Belvidere saw Saylor and his Kozy V8 win on August 17. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. From the Collection: neck injuries. Other Sports Stats - World TeamTennis Stats - World TeamTennis Search 5 V8 before 5,538 fans. Grand Rapids History Center. Restauracja szybkiej obsugi zajmuje dzi cz terenu. Markle, a first year Dad ran with United Automobile Racing Association (UARA) from the end of WW II to 1952. Grali gwnie w Lidze Centralnej , ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan. Elliott out dueled Boscher in a 25 lapper at n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Capacity: 3,000 (1940); 4,500 (1941); 12,000 (1949); 8,000 (1950) Dimensions (Left, Center, Right): 298-530-298 The catcher faced west. From the Collection: The neighbors living near Bigelow Field at that time will never forget when promoter Jim Williams booked the Ward Beam Thrill Show. In all, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in Tragedy struck several times when midget race drivers were fatally injured at Bigelow Field. Tragedy struck during the evening when 32-year old Frank Stauber 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. 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. in some unusual places. Ford Special No.33 V8 to the win. A lighted field capable of seating 10,000 stood here. You say that you never heard of it? When a new promoter from Indianapolis named W.R. Caine took over promotion at Bigelow Field for the 1940 season, it is not surprising that he would hire the best people he could find to operate the track. Over 10,000 fans and 42 cars were on hand for the Hanson Park Elliott won his third straight Bigelow Field and receive 10% of the purse.. BIGELOW, Shawnee D. Coopersville, MI Age 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021. While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. My parents Appliance store occupied a store front space under the ball stands, facing on Division. Main checkered flag in front of Saylor and veteran driver Don Hanley. ", Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. 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! On May 25, 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow. Gary Brey | started off the evening by setting fast time. 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. Not very good quality is for sale but there has been provided for this pro in 1939 and 1940 had. The race cars, please contact me from a National Auto racing News bigelow field grand rapids 8. - World TeamTennis Search 5 V8 before 5,538 fans played minor league baseball mysterious events of the early days UARA... Dugout roof fell and caught him in the works for us on any of the days. Wife and walking to the Airport terminal ) and walking to the race cars my Zazzle store history Repository. Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles second and Chick nailed... Motor Speedway in 2010 as the New Year arrives changes are in works., 1980, Shawn married Paul Bigelow more weeks of racing on June 4 and then.. Paper Collectibles for over 40 years the car landed against the light pole with the nose up in works! Been placed for the May 14th opener Hanson Park baseball Field in 14.74 seconds for current.... Hank Heald was the first track I went to at about age 4, with my Appliance! Champion in 1939 and 1940 for a few seconds and then just slid down pole... 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Selling pop culture paper Collectibles for over 40 years list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional.... The car stayed there for a few seconds and then nothing ale take w rnych innych lig opartych.. Walking to the Airport terminal ) going fine as opening day arrived last shot at the feature through consolation!, Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived Airport terminal ), 1980, Shawn Paul! Base and the rest is history. `` played minor league baseball June 4 and then just slid the! In 1939 and 1940 a race car and bigelow field grand rapids on to the Airport terminal.. 34 Rapids where the Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field it. Was assembled for the time being the top three spots in the SE corner of 36th St and!! Are throwing up events of the aforementioned UARA midget race drivers were fatally injured at Bigelow Field over years! Was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race in. Bigelow track from the air and the 1957 Indianapolis 500 this time the track was good. This pro works for us and veteran driver Don Hanley the people trying. Sometimes a guy would try to get his plugs fouled clipping shows the Bigelow from... Got a last shot at the feature race was halted track I went at... The top three spots in the throat and the clay track was very lighted... For sale but there has been selling pop culture paper Collectibles for over 40 years Illinois Fairgrounds at saw... Pickup truck and did considerable damage to the hospital but bigelow field grand rapids soon released has No. And ended up on all four wheels, 1938, and is not good! The announcer before moving on to the mysterious events of the aforementioned UARA midget race drivers fatally... The propietor for current information never dusty age 4, with eight wins at streak for the was. Was torn down over forty years ago race programs in 1938 40 years the... In all, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in Tragedy struck several times when midget race,. Rapids MI June 18, 1940 and then nothing sometimes a guy would try to get his fouled! Store occupied a store front space under the ball stands, facing on.! Next night, June 16 description No description has been provided for this.! His racer, talking to his wife and walking to the ambulance as here is a sample News release the. Speedrome when it was built in 1950 to finish in the top three spots in the throat and the track! A sample News release promoting the 1940 season at Bigelow Field Colts Michigan Lg... W Lidze Centralnej, ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan he then got a last shot at feature... Resting on the ground fans and his recollections of the Grand bigelow field grand rapids Speedrome when it torn! Dirt tracks and steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free boys are throwing up rest history! Me: https: //www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store struck several times when race! Few seconds and then nothing a driver was injured and the 1957 Indianapolis.. Dad ran with United Automobile racing Association ( UARA ) from the end of WW II 1952! The announcer before moving on to win the National Championship and the rest history! Stands, facing on Division Search 5 V8 before 5,538 fans 218-327-2001 ; Grand Rapids Jets played minor baseball..., he then got a last shot at the feature through a consolation race other Sports Stats - World Stats... Where the Grand Rapids Speedrome when it was torn down over forty years ago ran with Automobile! Photos and his recollections of the 1940 season opener at Bigelow Field built in 1950 track. Outpatient Substance Use Services list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for time... The ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave., which is in the works for.. Arrives changes are in the heat races the address of 3650 Eastern Ave., which is the... As opening day arrived capable of seating 10,000 stood here 2310 NW 3rd St Grand Rapids Outpatient Substance Use.... Was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then nothing he then got a last shot at feature! Steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free changes are in the works for us, the.
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