My dad and I are restoring an early 60's Benson Chevy II midget. He raced it through the early 90's. I love that car, and can't wait to get it out on the track.
Great to see some early midgets including pre Kurtis craft. I am very fortunate to have my fathers #26 Allan “Marshall” Jeep Special that he built in 1947 in my garage here in Tasmania, Australia. He raced 9 years at tracks around Sydney with some wild men of that era. Thrills I’ll never know!
I loved your video. I started driving quarter midgets at 8 years old. I love speed. My dad was one of parnelli Jones mechanics and set up his winning pole position in early 1960s. Later my dad was an NYPD mechanic. Im so glad to see you enjoying these gems.
ive been a quarter midget driver since the age of 5 1/2. Im addicted to speed and the thrill. I am now 14 and drive a micro sprint car! if you dont know what that is its a 600cc engine that is full injected
A friend had a couple vintage midgets with Ford V8-60 engines that we used to take to local tracks and shows. Unfortunately at 6'4" tall couldn't fit in them but we still had a lot of fun with him driving. I have some photos somewhere - but maybe not after a couple moves. Unfortunately my friend has since passed away
Rip to an old friend Bob Sherr out of Connecticut. He ran these after coming back from the war and said he lost most of his friends in them and he got out of it. I only got the pleasure of knowing him for about the last 10yrs of his life as he was a neighbor to my father's hangar at a small airport. Story time with Bob was something to pull up a chair to. As he got older and couldn't tinker anymore he passed his horde of tools and supplies on to us, and I get this calming feeling and peaceful thoughts every time I use one of his tools. Like he's watching over me and not letting the job go bad where you get frustrated.
hiya im from australia have fond memories of the midgets from numerous tracks across the country.sadly a lot of the tracks are closed down due to lack of patronage and or insurance great to see a few die hards out n about
Old Midgets and Sprints were not cheap,, well to help win you needed an Offy. There was a lot of good alternates here in Oz, especially Grey Holden engines but they were living at the point of destruction. Super Modifieds evolved into Sprintcars here in the 70s but no Offys, Chevs were no1 though in the 70s at least there was a range of engines and chassis quality as well. My car is a Holden 6 power as arced 75-76 as a Modified Sprintcar. A good B grade car then.
the sounds of the offenhouser engines, and they were sleek but dangerous more so then today even though they are faster today back then didn't have the roll cages or the fire prevention.
my father Jack Irwin raced midgets 1930 1940 l have a lot of pictures of the drivers from that error. my father raced with unser , aj foyt and elliot. just looking for information on my father jack irwin. thank you🇺🇸✝️⛽️
When men were men. An old friend used to run these after the war and showed me a few pics. He also mentioned he lost most of his friends to them in wrecks also. Fast and scary!
Franks kid bought the all silver KK from a local car collector not from the original owner .. that guy was a real nasty ole guy ha... anyway this silver KK was never raced.. bought new by the ole nasty guy.... when i went into the nasty ole guys basement...this silver KK was sitting BEHIND another KK.... Rex Mays 4 bar KK... first 4 bar car... the nasty ole fella wanted to keep his NEW KK and i told him OK i will buy the old KK setting in front of the silver NEW KK....the ole guys first name was HENRY....everyone around Indy knew of the 2 cars but wouldnt tell me where they were... soo.... one day i was hanging around all of the old midget guys at an Indy swipe meet when someone mentioned HENRYS Last name.. HENRY CONRAD..... BINGO went to the phone book ..and next to Henrys house and THAT NITE.. had REX MAYS 4 BAR KK THE MOST FAMOUS ORIGINAL KK EVER.. and every part of the Mays car was original AND famous history.... i sold the Mays car for more $ then anyone ever paid for a KK since WW2... but the guy that bought the Mays KK... DESTROYED it by taking it apart and putting in NEW GUAGES ?? took out the Perfect UNBORN CALF SKIN upholster that was MINT PERFECT and used it as a pattern ? That idiot was the reason i quit buying and selling vintage race cars.. some people just shouldnt have them .. i bought and sold MORE KK then anyone alive.....Including Johnny Parsons KK.... and on and on.... i have all the pictures of the Mays KK as i bought and sold it and have documentation of the car...
As I have said before, there is a special place in heaven for those who keep and/or restore these old race cars. Brings back many memories
Brings back a lot of good memories. Born in 1934, I grew up during the time these were running! Love'em!!
30's to the 50's?! Hell l grew up watching them all summer long during the 60's and 70's! Loved watching midgets.
My dad and I are restoring an early 60's Benson Chevy II midget. He raced it through the early 90's. I love that car, and can't wait to get it out on the track.
Born in 1950, I sure do miss those days!! I live in IOWA so at least we have Knoxville !!!
I remember going to midget races at the Cleveland Arena. Indoor racing. In the middle of the winter.
Yep I went to those races too
I went to the arena as well to see the midgets race. They also raced go karts with one or even two engines on them. Those were the days!
Thanks for the memories. Never underestimate an old man in a midget.
Great to see some early midgets including pre Kurtis craft. I am very fortunate to have my fathers #26 Allan “Marshall” Jeep Special that he built in 1947 in my garage here in Tasmania, Australia. He raced 9 years at tracks around Sydney with some wild men of that era. Thrills I’ll never know!
Allan Russack - Did he race at the old Sydney Showgrund Speedway, do you know?
@@karlmuller3690 yes, dad, Allan “Marshall” Russack raced at Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Sportsground and Cumberland Oval 1945-1954.
Very charming, but man, I wouldn't want to roll over in one of those...!
I loved your video. I started driving quarter midgets at 8 years old. I love speed.
My dad was one of parnelli Jones mechanics and set up his winning pole position in early 1960s.
Later my dad was an NYPD mechanic.
Im so glad to see you enjoying these gems.
ive been a quarter midget driver since the age of 5 1/2. Im addicted to speed and the thrill. I am now 14 and drive a micro sprint car! if you dont know what that is its a 600cc engine that is full injected
@@1800SAVEME thats awesome. Have a great racing career and many wins.
A friend had a couple vintage midgets with Ford V8-60 engines that we used to take to local tracks and shows. Unfortunately at 6'4" tall couldn't fit in them but we still had a lot of fun with him driving. I have some photos somewhere - but maybe not after a couple moves. Unfortunately my friend has since passed away
My Dad (Bob Cook, 1923-1988) raced midgets in the old AAA during 1949-50. He used to say midgets were "damn fun" to drive.
Rip to an old friend Bob Sherr out of Connecticut.
He ran these after coming back from the war and said he lost most of his friends in them and he got out of it.
I only got the pleasure of knowing him for about the last 10yrs of his life as he was a neighbor to my father's hangar at a small airport.
Story time with Bob was something to pull up a chair to.
As he got older and couldn't tinker anymore he passed his horde of tools and supplies on to us, and I get this calming feeling and peaceful thoughts every time I use one of his tools.
Like he's watching over me and not letting the job go bad where you get frustrated.
Had to find one! And now I have five vintage midgets! Now just waiting for track time when I can get out there with the other old guys like me!
I'd love to run in the Beasley supercharged Peugeot my uncle raced. Great stuff!
outstanding, I loved watching the car races at the Springfield State Fair.
hiya im from australia have fond memories of the midgets from numerous tracks across the country.sadly a lot of the tracks are closed down due to lack of patronage and or insurance great to see a few die hards out n about
Looks a lot like a typical present day lawn mower race.
I love these old cars. Not the winged monstrosities.
Love this era, nice find Nick...
Thanks for posting that was awesome!
❤❤ very nice!
Brilliant !!
Old Midgets and Sprints were not cheap,, well to help win you needed an Offy.
There was a lot of good alternates here in Oz, especially Grey Holden engines but they were living at the point of destruction.
Super Modifieds evolved into Sprintcars here in the 70s but no Offys, Chevs were no1 though in the 70s at least there was a range of engines and chassis quality as well. My car is a Holden 6 power as arced 75-76 as a Modified Sprintcar. A good B grade car then.
My dad is Bobby Ware! I'd love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Awesome
Oh yeah. I remember going to Reading Pa. AND Langhorne Pa. back in the 60's. Now that was racing.
That's what Jimmy Bryan said...
the sounds of the offenhouser engines, and they were sleek but dangerous more so then today even though they are faster today back then didn't have the roll cages or the fire prevention.
my father Jack Irwin raced midgets 1930 1940 l have a lot of pictures of the drivers from that error. my father raced with unser , aj foyt and elliot. just looking for information on my father jack irwin. thank you🇺🇸✝️⛽️
I want one
This is like me driving a miata
@@lsrracing Tf is a seat belt?
Great title
When men were men.
An old friend used to run these after the war and showed me a few pics.
He also mentioned he lost most of his friends to them in wrecks also.
Fast and scary!
Franks kid bought the all silver KK from a local car collector not from the original owner .. that guy was a real nasty ole guy ha... anyway this silver KK was never raced.. bought new by the ole nasty guy.... when i went into the nasty ole guys basement...this silver KK was sitting BEHIND another KK.... Rex Mays 4 bar KK... first 4 bar car... the nasty ole fella wanted to keep his NEW KK and i told him OK i will buy the old KK setting in front of the silver NEW KK....the ole guys first name was HENRY....everyone around Indy knew of the 2 cars but wouldnt tell me where they were... soo.... one day i was hanging around all of the old midget guys at an Indy swipe meet when someone mentioned HENRYS Last name.. HENRY CONRAD..... BINGO went to the phone book ..and next to Henrys house and THAT NITE.. had REX MAYS 4 BAR KK THE MOST FAMOUS ORIGINAL KK EVER.. and every part of the Mays car was original AND famous history.... i sold the Mays car for more $ then anyone ever paid for a KK since WW2... but the guy that bought the Mays KK... DESTROYED it by taking it apart and putting in NEW GUAGES ?? took out the Perfect UNBORN CALF SKIN upholster that was MINT PERFECT and used it as a pattern ? That idiot was the reason i quit buying and selling vintage race cars.. some people just shouldnt have them .. i bought and sold MORE KK then anyone alive.....Including Johnny Parsons KK.... and on and on.... i have all the pictures of the Mays KK as i bought and sold it and have documentation of the car...