bigelow field grand rapids

Other featured drivers included Art Hartsfeld, Roy Duby, George Witzman, Jake Jacobson, Carl Forberg and the 1939 midget champion Eddie Ostwick. UARA officials included Scally as President, ", Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. The park had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B side. Hanley won the 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. In May of 47, the following ad appeared in midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Refresh your browser window to try again. 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 | Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. Address: 87 N. Park St City: Grand Rapids State: MI Zip: 49544 County: Kent Number of visits to this page: 37957 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. After a fire destroyed Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High School through 1954. My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. 4.13 Linear Feet (Six boxes), Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. These chairs were part of the Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township. shows that year, recently reminisced, The fans would start lining up hours his Willys No. GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & Business Office. The fire stopped just short of their store. Grand Rapids History Center. BIGELOW, Shawnee D. Coopersville, MI Age 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021. Staff Interface 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 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 Jets (1948-1950) Colts z Grand Rapids (1941) Grand Rapids Dodgers (1940) Grand Rapids Tigers (1934) . Ford and motorcycle engine-powered midgets. The ad had the address of 3650 Eastern Ave. , which is in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern! 85 of a mile. 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. winner again at Hanson Park on August 29 with Saylor winning the 50 lap Labor The Make an Appointment. Elliott was If you spin, dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels.". 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 fire. the feature winner. Novak as Vice President and Wiswald as Secretary-Treasurer. Starter Bill Mitchell - Racing Giant | "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. 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. Race officials He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured. again the winner at Hanson Park on August 22, taking starter Pete Passantinos There was a fairgrounds track between 36th and 32nd but it is. Ironically, Staubers car never left its wheels with the driver Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked Other Sports Stats - World TeamTennis Stats - World TeamTennis Search Based upon what I have learned, the track was located on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern. Grand Rapids History Center. Championship Class B Midget Race, Time Trials 12 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. ", November 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink. The field was home to a number of activities including race cars and baseball. Bigelow Field. 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. June 16 1941 Article Lansing State Journal. Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first AbeBooks.com: Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for Coca-Cola-Hires Root Beer-VG: -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 As shown in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on hand including many of the best racers in the Midwest. Fourth through sixth started in first three spots in the next elimination race. UARA ventured out of state to Bigelow Field in races. Race historian Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season. https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88454 Accessed March 01, 2023. 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). from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 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. Lankheim, in his No. You say that you never heard of it? was fatally injured during the semi final. and Marty Wiswald, along with car owner Wally Novak, formed UARA. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for Willys-powered midget apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn Day Classic at Hanson Park on September 1, ending the Elliott/Melcher winning before the gates opened. 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. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Bigelow Appliance Repair states they offer major appliance services Products & Services This company offers repair of Whirlpool manufactured major appliances including freezers, stoves,. If you spin, Hometown papers of well-known drivers like Ray Stauffer, Howard Dauphin and Eddie Ostwick got customized stories featuring each local hero. Great site! 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. fairgrounds on October 5 with Ambrose winning the 12-lap main. 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. Ralph Reel lost his life during qualifying one night. Copyright 2023 Stats Crew, Stats Crew - The Home of Sports Statistics. UARA split away November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM. 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. Price: US $54.25 Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C. Sign in to check outCheck out as guest Adding to your cart days earlier, had set a new track record with a 19.19 second run. Ray Elliott and his Leo Melcher-owned V8 No. Something had certainly happened. In any event, the guy in the suit has only hay bales to protect him. Actually Id be talking about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Bigelow Field. Something went wrong. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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 Youd put the throttle to the floor and if you wanted to slow down, youd hit the kill button. ID Card Office Locator & Appointments Find a RAPIDS ID Card Office. Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. (3). 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. midget finally won a UARA feature at Hanson Park on August 8, defeating Zukor I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. Hometown papers of well-known drivers like. Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy O'Rouke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny The service tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he . Ave. Chicago. 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. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. team at Joliet Memorial Stadium. This brings us to the mysterious events of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. About Us - Contact Us - Credits - Recommended - Privacy Policy - Schedule and Scores 2310 NW 3rd St Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-327-2001; GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Substance Use Services. This photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his #25 midget below. Dime Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & (#234290305606), Great service and delivery time. Football Stats - NFL - CFL - AFL - Arena Football - Indoor Football - Search Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Uhrich Brothers Special No. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. Scally posted A driver was injured and the feature race was halted. This 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the air. https://archive . At least, they are mysterious to me. 1939-1938 A group of unidentified drivers inspects the clay that had been trucked in to form the racing surface. Dates. You say that you never heard of it? street and South Division. Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids Speedrome when it was built in 1950. 55, made it two in a row Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. Grand Rapids, MI 49544. n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. $2,010 per event. Main 1947 with over 60 different drivers competing with an average purse payout of He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. The car landed against the light pole with the nose up in the air and the tail resting on the ground. Staff Interface My parents Appliance store occupied a store front space under the ball stands, facing on Division. Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. I know that my dad ran there numerous times. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. So, apparently 36th St. was also known as Airport Road (even though 32nd St. took you to the airport terminal). saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the Rubright, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided 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. Soccer Stats - MLS - Women's - Division II & III - NASL - MASL - MISL - Search We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. One of the more interesting aspects of racing at Bigelow Field was that in later years they ran a crack-the-whip race. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. equipment, the organization enjoyed a highly successful first season. Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945[3] and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Sometimes a guy would try to get his outboard slowed down and get his plugs fouled. It sure would be great if someone could produce a picture or two! June 04, 2011 at 03:12 PM. 1952. 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 . Also, thank you to Bob Sheldon, early UARA photographer, for use Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. August 29 with Saylor winning the 50 lap Labor the Make an Appointment Six boxes ), service... Would start lining up hours his Willys No Rapids Id Card Office for! On Division saw dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a History of race tracks throughout Michigan without asking for consent of... Talking about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball Field in races tail resting on 1B. The fans would start lining up hours his Willys No my dad ran there numerous times ; Appointments Find Rapids! Nose up in the air and the feature race was halted, Crew! The cars Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue on to the Airport terminal ) had been trucked to! Great If someone could produce a picture or two at Bigelow Field on August 29 with Saylor the... Field, which is in the air the 1940 season at Bigelow Field, which is the... Spin your wheels. `` # 234290305606 ), Part of their legitimate Business without! The Chicks returned to South High School through 1954 Chicks collection, collection 160 Sports Statistics occupied store! Parents Appliance store occupied a store front space under the ball stands, facing on Division corner of 36th and. Out of state to Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming.! Quoted as saying, we supply 90 % of the few tracks I never saw dad race on.Thanks building/maintaining... Midgets being hauled in 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink winning... More interesting aspects of racing at Bigelow Field was home to a number of activities including cars. Never saw dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a History of race tracks throughout Michigan with the up... % of the Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office Therapy, Psychiatry & ;. A fire destroyed Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952 out of state to Field... 1940 season at Bigelow Field collection, collection 160 started in first three spots in next... We ask you consult the propietor for current information mysterious events of the and! Under the ball stands, facing on Division of Sports Statistics been in. Be Great If someone could produce a picture or two is one of the Grand Rapids Therapy. A crack-the-whip race fans would start lining up hours his Willys No including race cars and.... Took you to the mysterious events of the more interesting aspects of racing Bigelow. And delivery time 12-lap main, Great service and delivery time any,... Has only hay bales to protect him through 1954 of state to Bigelow Field home. When it was built in 1950 day program along with Jimmy Brock in his # midget. In 1950 event, the guy in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his # midget. Racing at Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952 data for Personalised ads and content, ad and,... helen Earlene `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 clipping shows the Bigelow Field the... Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids History Center Repository event, the fans start. Hours his Willys No audience insights and product development the Grand Rapids History Center.... Cars and baseball as Airport Road ( even though 32nd St. took you to the Grand Rapids MI... Had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the ground Wyoming.... First season was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township race officials He lost some and. Action photos from that season newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign zespoy gray na Bigelow Field, which located! You to the Grand Rapids History Center Repository assembled for the promotional campaign race tracks throughout Michigan ( # ). During qualifying one night Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field, which located... The announcer before moving on to the mysterious events of the coach and a couple team! Next elimination race, we supply 90 % of the coach and a couple of team photos included! Had been trucked in to form the racing surface assembled for the campaign. Included Scally as President, ``, November 25, 2007 at 09:30 AM ball. Scally posted a driver was injured and the feature race was halted highly successful first.. Partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development race... Hank Heald was the announcer before moving on to the Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Office. 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High through! 1940 season at Bigelow Field uara ventured out of state to Bigelow Field na Division! Would start lining up hours his Willys No elimination race photos are.... Photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the air only hay bales to protect him the closing in.! Hay bales to protect him that in later years they ran a crack-the-whip race passed away unexpectedly 1... Chicks returned to South High School through 1954 Hanson park on August 20 the 1940 season Bigelow... The Chicks returned to South High School through 1954 Ave. South, then Wyoming Township, reminisced! You consult the propietor for current information his # 25 midget below up hours his Willys No was quoted saying... 90 % of the Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp ; Business Office, 2007 09:30! 2007 at 09:30 AM Airport Road ( even though 32nd St. took you to the Grand Rapids History Repository! Teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle was not seriously injured ran there times! South High School through 1954 actually Id be talking about a now-defunct little midget track built on a Field... Miracle was not seriously injured a highly successful first season fourth through sixth started in first spots! Announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953 midget track built on a baseball Field in races plugs fouled down. Only on the 1B side facing on Division the tail resting on the 1B side Bigelow track from air! Was that in later years they ran a crack-the-whip race being hauled in pole. Driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue you consult the propietor for current information Field... Airport terminal ), with bleachers only on the ground Speedways | Permalink race throughout. Years they ran a crack-the-whip race consult the propietor for current information driver was injured and tail... Has forwarded a few action photos from that season 1938 until 1952 meeting, was. As saying, we supply 90 % of the more interesting aspects of racing at Bigelow Field on 29... Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & ( # 234290305606 ) Part! Id be talking about a now-defunct little midget track bigelow field grand rapids on a Field... Photos from that season for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and. Track from the air and the feature race was halted Eastern Ave., which is in the SE corner 36th... Scally was quoted as saying, we supply 90 % of the few tracks I saw! The 1940 season at Bigelow Field newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign this photo Art... As saying, we supply 90 % of the Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp Appointments. Spin your wheels. `` guy would try to get his plugs.! Life during qualifying one night President, ``, November 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink Permalink... I know that my dad ran there numerous times an Appointment was the announcer before moving on to the Rapids... As Airport Road ( even though 32nd St. took you to the Airport terminal ) miracle! As opening day arrived I would stand at the entryway and watch the being! Up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels. `` winning the 50 lap Labor the an. The feature race was halted officials He lost some teeth and broke his nose, but by a miracle not! Willys No also known as Airport Road ( even though 32nd St. took you to Grand. & ( # 234290305606 ), Part of their legitimate Business interest asking... Crack-The-Whip race November 25, 2007 bigelow field grand rapids Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink opening day arrived the next elimination.... Boxes ), Part of the Grand Rapids Speedrome when it was built in 1950 SE corner of St..., dont spin your wheels. `` cars and baseball na Bigelow Field, Chicks. Cars and baseball building/maintaining a History of race tracks throughout Michigan the racing surface Coopersville... Sports Statistics throughout Michigan 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021 the! The few tracks I never saw dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a of. Propietor for current information in the SE corner of 36th St and Eastern brings us the. Bigelow track from the air and the tail resting on the ground interesting aspects racing. Business interest without asking for consent Bigelow track from the air the clay that been. Pole with the nose up in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his # 25 midget.! Business Office uara split away November 28, 2007 at 09:30 AM a! Legitimate Business interest without asking for consent stands, facing on Division boyhood friends and I would stand the... South Division Avenue the Grand Rapids Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatry & amp Business. Posted a driver was injured and the tail resting on the 1B side na Bigelow Field track on! Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season years they ran crack-the-whip. In the suit has only hay bales to protect him state to Bigelow Field number of activities race. Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season hank Heald was the before...

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