Times are tough all over

[Donald B.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Use to go to Great Lakes all the time in the early, mid, late 70's. Just had to see what times my plain jane '71 Camaro could turn.

Especially liked the Saturday night Funny Cars and Dragsters - 5' flames off the line were impressive. Entry into the pits was ~ $5?

[John M.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Guys -- I took this thread in the political direction -- and I shouldn't have done that. I am very sorry.

One of the things that makes this country great is that we can all have different beliefs and still more or less get along, and one of the better features of NCRS is that we concentrate on Corvettes and generally don't discuss politics or religion or any of the other concepts that drive people apart. We may have differences of opinion about the finish or configuration of a certain part -- or whether we prefer one year Corvette or another -- but so long as we stick to Corvettes we can usually get along.

Let's stick to Corvettes.

Thanks, Terry - I'm in the NCRS partially as an escape from the politics and religion discussions. I can go to a thousand other discussion boards for that...

[Ridge K.]

Re: Times are tough all over

I tried to stay out of this thread when it first took a political turn, but now I feel compelled to throw in my two cents worth. As a mid-fifties Midwesterner, anyone who knows me very likely knows my value system, and political leanings. I do not believe the NCRS TDB is the place to state those views. Other forums exist for this discussion.
All of the posters to this thread stating political persuasion, I consider to be fellow brothers, who share my love of Corvettes, and, I respect immensely.

[Bill M.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Use to go to Great Lakes all the time

I spent time at Great Lakes, US 30, but mostly at Oswego. Fun times.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Guys -- I took this thread in the political direction -- and I shouldn't have done that. I am very sorry.

One of the things that makes this country great is that we can all have different beliefs and still more or less get along, and one of the better features of NCRS is that we concentrate on Corvettes and generally don't discuss politics or religion or any of the other concepts that drive people apart...Let's stick to Corvettes.

Ah, gee, too bad...I wanted to discuss my theory that the only reason Obama could be elected POTUS is that he's the Antichrist, and God made it happen to fulfill prophecy.

You heard it here first...stand by for seven years of REELLY hard times.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Times are tough all over

You heard it here first...stand by for seven years of REELLY hard times.

I respectfully request that we put a lid on the political stuff. Please.

[John F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Osewgo Drag Raceway. God those were the days! 60 & early 70's. Remember all those cars going out into the corn field? The old Ramcharger team boke into the high 7's. Arnie the Farmer Beswick-"Grocery-Getter", Big Daddy Don Garlits, Chevy vs Ford vs Pontiac vs Dodge vs Mercury. Those days will never be forgotten!

[Bill M.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Osewgo Drag Raceway. God those were the days!

A few memories:

Union Grove (Great Lakes): My first visit (driving my '59 in '63) they were still using traffic lights to start the race. I think the starter used a flag on a button to turn the lights green. I was down near the finish line when an Altered lost it and spun. He backed the car through the lights. Amazing driving. The dragsters burned the tires all the way through the 1/4 mile.

Oswego: (still driving the '59 in '65) Hemi Under Glass, Little Red Wagon, etc. I saw a '64 Chevelle in the parking lot that I still clearly remember. It was a '64 dark-blue 327-powered 4-speed plain-jane model with custom wheels and tires. Beautiful...Sanitary

US30: A friend let me pilot his brand-new triple black '67 L71 convertible to see the jet cars run. The jet exhaust caught the starter shack on fire.

I never ran the '59 because it was my only car.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Raced each of them with my 57 post in 1961. I preferred the starter with the flag. You could false start twice b4 you were disqualified. Gave it more of a physcological aspect in that you could rattle your competitor into making a mistake and beat him off the line, specially if you studied the starter's motions. The lights were so impersonal. You paid good money to run and a little slip and it's good bye!

I also loved the night racing. The sounds and sights were more intense.

Stu fox

[Joel F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Bill and John,

I live in Oswego and the dragstrip is now a tree nursery. Supposedly it will be a residential development in the next few years, but the housing market has slowed a bit.

Here are a couple of links to bring back some memories

http://www.oswegodragway.com/

http://www.mikebentley.com/dragstrip/

We have a fairly large car show each Sept to commemorate the track (and bring in revenue for the village).

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Joel;

Every time we're in the Chicago area (often) we stay at my Nephews place in Montgomery and we've been into Oswego many times (last time to rent a U-Haul trailer). May give you a jingle next time if you're in the book. Our last residence (pre-July 2004) was in Aurora (off Rte. 59) and I used to hit a lot of the cruise ins, i.e. Sugar Grove (or was it at the Airport?), Downers Grove, Plainfield, etc. We still come back for our medical tests at Nortwestern Hospital downtown. They darn near killed me down here so I don't trust them.

Stu Fox

[Joel F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

That sounds good Stu!

If you are ever looking for a good breakfast while in town, get your nephew to take you to Oswego Family Restaurant on Main St (right by the firehouse) for a Country Skillet. Good stuff! Served by the same waitress that might have served you in 1968

[Steven B.]

Re: Times are tough all over

'Anyone remember the '57 Corvette from Standard Auto Parts in Detroit? It went to the Nationals and raced as a gasser as I remember with Hilborns. It was bright red, not Venetian, with chrome wheels. 'Very sanitary.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Steven;

What year(s) are we talking about on this 57?

Stu Fox

[Steven B.]

Re: Times are tough all over

Steven;

What year(s) are we talking about on this 57?

Stu Fox

Stu, just checked my old scrap book. It was 1967. Sam Gianino was the driver I believe. It ran C/MSP, not in Gas. I think the car was called "The Executioner" and was in "chrome" script on the trunk. 'Heck of a car!

Steve