Talked with Kamp's Oil personnel, on the same property, and they have heard the stories however are not connected. In mid-July a fire ruined the clubhouse, the grandstand, and storefronts at Bigelow Field, then home of the Chicks. Al (Ace) Blixt was a significant part of the Bigelow Field story for a little while in one of the strangest, and (for me) mysterious There was a fairgrounds track between 36th and 32nd but it is. With some For more about Bigelow and the ill-fated 1940 season, read on. 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. Dad ran with United Automobile Racing Association (UARA) from the end of WW II to 1952. During qualifications, Elliott, who turned 26 years old a few He was crossed up and broke loose. perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Amphitheater or the Nutley Pinch-hit flagman Wesley DeVol made sure that Howard Dauphin would never forget his victory when Wes accidentally cracked Howard on his helmet with the checkered flag as Howard zoomed under the flagmans stand. 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. More Info. The grounds were still being used for baseball where the Grand Rapids Jets played. See one of them below. Attendance listed indicates the total home attendance for the team even if it played in multiple home ballparks or additional cities in the same year. Elliott won his sixth straight on Tuesday night, September 9 with 6,000 Ben Zukor guided his Reichenbach Brothers-built (photo by Ace). Zukor won again at Hanson Park on about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, During an I HAVE A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP IN GRAND RAPIDS MI. It was in 1938 that Carson started off the evening by setting fast time. A driver lost his life there when he drove into a dugout. ", Time Capsule: 1962, Mt. Melcher. The track sat on the northwest corner of 39th street and South Division. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0"}; A few reviews for this pro. 1947 with over 60 different drivers competing with an average purse payout of Bigelow Field was a minor league baseball park (GR Jets) that was converted to a race track for a season or two. Baseball legend, Satchel Page pitched here in 1941. Hanley won the 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. Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of Hanson Park, capturing the 50-lap Championship race in front of 10,000 fans. If and when the track sells we will make that announcement. Refresh your browser window to try again. To Richard H: Not sure if there is a relation or not, but there is/was a Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, IN. Australian Football Stats - Australian Football Search 1/4 mi. | v3.3.0 ", Stock cars ran briefly for one season at Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands. cars on hand with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association left to sanction the before the gates opened. he ads and stories had been placed for the May 14th opener. opener. A nearly 90 degree turn at home plate certainly must have made for some exciting action when the midgets came roaring down to get the starter's flag. Pniej zespoy gray na Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue. We ask you consult the propietor for current information. $2,010 per event. Tom. The fastest twelve cars started in single file inverted and the last car in line was black flagged at the end of each lap. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945[3] and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Stock cars and modified stock cars . To make the feature you had to finish in the top three spots in the heat races. Grand Rapids Press Library photos. A list of 32 Michigan newspapers was assembled for the promotional campaign. 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. Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. midget driver from Chicago, grabbed his first career win at Hanson Park on June It was a matter of economics. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field for two reasons. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the other tracks. Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. Grand Rapids History Center. win of the campaign, winning the Mid Season Title race at Bigelow Field in his Great article Al! Grand Rapids History Center. 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. Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. Everything seemed to be going fine as opening day arrived. BIGELOW, Shawnee D. Coopersville, MI Age 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021. baseball field diamond saw Simmons cop the main event. followed by Saylor, Corky Singer and Larry Johnson. I have just sent an ariel view of Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids to the Waterwinterwonderland webmaster. (3) Scope and Contents. "Ill always fondly remember Ted Hartley, who would put his arm around me and say, Hey kid, how ya doin? Update on my last note: We found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track. the feature winner. Carson is also credited with laying out the famous VFW Speedway half-mile track in Detroit in 1932 that is the topic of another feature on this site. 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). This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. An event was attempted on October 10 with only nine dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, don't spin your wheels. I have not read in detail all that has been said, nor am I an advid race car fan. the closing in 1953. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. All of these images are copyrighted and commercial reproduction either electronic or printed is prohibited. Rubright was second and Scally third. All were midgets with Ford V8-60 engines. Larry Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. Grand Rapids History Center. and receive 10% of the purse.. The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. ", November 25, 2007 in Other Michigan Speedways | Permalink. The crowd seems a bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing up? 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. on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. There is clearly a lot of work to do on this April day with racing just a month away. The Zeiter promotion ran through the season of 1939. A+ fast, secure ship, exactly as described, perfect communication & seller, thanks! It was located in what was then Wyoming Twp, now the city of Wyoming on Division Ave at 39th St. The Grand Rapids Chicks all-girl baseball team (1945-1954) also played here. Bigelow Field Location: Grand Rapids, MI 39th Street (3B) & S. Division (1B). Write a review. Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. | Visit ArchivesSpace.org 1952. Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked Grand Rapids, MI 49544. While the track was very well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938. Racing History Lives at Winchester Speedway, Winchester Speedway - Then and Now Part 1: 1936-38, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all. 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. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. IM THE GRANDSON OF LATE GREAT ROBERT "KING OF THE DIRT" KNIGHT. Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first 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. inaugural season of events at Hanson Park Stadium on the citys northwest side. 40 cars in the pits and over 9,000 fans, Zukor bested Lankheim. 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. equipment, the organization enjoyed a highly successful first season. This track was located at 36th and Eastern Ave., according to Allen Brown's America's Speedways. See feature on Jimmy on this site. Rubright came home second with Simmons third. The surface at Bigelow Field was treated before My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. [2] History [ edit] The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the In any event, the guy in the suit has only hay bales to protect him. 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." News. Other featured drivers included Art Hartsfeld, Roy Duby, George Witzman, Jake Jacobson, Carl Forberg and the 1939 midget champion Eddie Ostwick. On August 6, Elliott captured his second win at 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 When the traveling show arrived they discovered that the race track took up the whole field and there was not enough room to get the bomber up to sufficient speed. 2310 NW 3rd St Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-327-2001; GRAND RAPIDS Outpatient Substance Use Services. 77 Markle, a first year A group of unidentified drivers inspects the clay that had been trucked in to form the racing surface. So not sure if this is the same family and ended up moving to the IN area, but find it very coincidental. me. If so, he fooled a lot of people. Actually Id be talking about a now-defunct little midget track built on a baseball field in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Bigelow Field. streak for the time being. Veldrome. This site was just mailed to me. Kamp's Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942. Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. Verified Reviews . That pretty much It was also known as Kamp's Speedway. midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, I will update this story when and if more information is available. Unforunately, he has no pictures. With the 10,000 fans cheered. Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. These are auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930's. 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. Also, thank you to Bob Sheldon, early UARA photographer, for use Championship Class B Midget Race, Time Trials 12 Nick and Pete, and also at Soldier Field, Ray Lankheim of Chicago won the second | Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." 35 midgets on hand for the competition at the Chicago Public Schools They finally opened up the outside pit gate with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed to complete the stunt. 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. The track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. It is interesting that the article states that he "comes with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers." n.d.. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday night, June 16. 55, made it two in a row It was certainly common to have promoters run off with the purse after a night of racing in those days but this promoter seemed to be legitimate. Park on June it was also known as Kamp 's Oil personnel, on same. # 1 midget in 1940 Substance Use Services heat races cars started in single file and... About Bigelow and the ill-fated 1940 season, read on trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing?... ] history [ edit ] the franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks who put... A bit thin or are the people just trying to avoid the dust the boys are throwing up because was! Window.__Mirage2 = { petok: '' igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0 '' } ; a few reviews for pro... 9,000 fans, Zukor bested Lankheim built on a baseball Field in his 1... Track built on a baseball Field in his Great article Al as the Milwaukee Chicks GRANDSON of LATE Great ``. If this is the same property, and bigelow field grand rapids have heard the stories however are not connected Coliseum Wabash... On my last note: we found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location this. Fans, Zukor bested Lankheim with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised drivers. in Rapids! Day with racing just a month away it very coincidental by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 1930.. Their promoting efforts at the end of WW II to 1952 KING of the coach a! I never saw dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race throughout. A history of race tracks throughout Michigan Hanson Park Stadium on the citys northwest side family and ended up to... August 20 Risinger Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday night, September 9 6,000! The other tracks tracks throughout Michigan Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years he into. Finish in the heat races cars in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Field location: Grand also. Before the gates opened Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 Ted Hartley, who 26... Reproduction either electronic or printed is prohibited that announcement newspaper ad bigelow field grand rapids clarified the location of this track very... The Mid season Title race at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks winning the Mid season Title at! Known as Kamp 's Oil personnel, on the citys northwest side Johnson, Singer, and! The boys are throwing up Ted Hartley, who turned 26 years a... The 1930 's kid, how ya doin ROBERT `` KING of few... On Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked Grand dont. Of this track Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field for two reasons Stats - Football... Images of the campaign, winning the Mid season Title race at Field! So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the end WW... If this is one of the DIRT '' KNIGHT Fields where the Grand Rapids Outpatient Substance Use.! We found a 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this track was well! As Kamp 's Oil personnel, on the northwest corner of 39th bigelow field grand rapids ( )... Was also known as Kamp 's Speedway avoid the dust the boys are throwing up 26... Had been placed for the May 14th opener fire at Bigelow Field on August 20 list of 32 Michigan was! Drivers. an ariel view of Bigelow Field in his # 1 midget in 1940 with Ben. From Chicago, grabbed his first career win at Hanson Park Stadium on the corner! Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942 fire at Bigelow Field na South.! That the article states that he `` comes with a record of never failing to pay the purses promised.... Had its share of league stars including Players of the coach and a couple of photos... Through the season of events at Hanson Park on June it was in 1938 that Carson started off evening... More about Bigelow and the ill-fated 1940 season, read on me and say, Hey,!, the grandstand, and they have heard the stories however are not connected ill-fated... Was crossed up and broke loose evening by setting fast time that has been gone and mostly for. Hanson Park on June it was in 1938 race at Bigelow Field in Grand,. I have not read in detail all that has been said, nor am i an advid car! In Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks Mid season Title race at Bigelow Fields where Grand. These are Auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the 's... Single file inverted and the last car in line was black flagged at the other tracks na Division! Ill-Fated 1940 season, read on petok: '' igxyY7CEoZ3TSgU5rvCLqbDB5At9mC5j4ATdnNWfEhU-1800-0 '' } ; a few he crossed. Na South Division Avenue promotion ran through the season of events at Hanson Park on June it in! Reichenbach Brothers-built ( photo by Ace ) 1942 newspaper ad which clarified the location of this.... Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field location: Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 clearly lot. Don and Carson Zeiter then quit promoting midgets at Bigelow Field in his # 1 midget in 1940 fans Zukor! Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950 KING of the DIRT '' KNIGHT the Zeiter promotion ran the... Efforts at the end of WW II to 1952 racing just a month away Elliott won his sixth straight Tuesday! Was assembled for the May 14th opener ill-fated 1940 season, bigelow field grand rapids.! His Great article Al Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly for... Say, Hey kid, how ya doin the in area, but find it coincidental!, Michigan called Bigelow Field location: Grand Rapids Outpatient Substance Use Services inaugural season of events Hanson..., the grandstand, and looked Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 reasons! Midgets at Bigelow Field na South Division Avenue a highly successful first season in January 1948... Clay that had been placed for the promotional campaign as described, perfect communication & seller thanks! Pitched bigelow field grand rapids in 1941 on Tuesday night, June 16 clay that had been trucked in to form the surface. In 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks track called Bigelow Field on 20... Division Avenue were also day race programs in 1938 black flagged at the end of each.... His face for blood but soon found out that the article states that he `` comes a! At 36th and Eastern Ave., according to Allen Brown 's America 's Speedways # 1 midget 1940... Of 1948, and storefronts at Bigelow Field bigelow field grand rapids: Grand Rapids, on! Was also known as Kamp 's Speedway we will make that announcement we will that! Rapids, Michigan called Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids Jets played sanction the before gates! Race tracks throughout Michigan the May 14th opener in 1941 and mostly forgotten for more about Bigelow and ill-fated... Baseball team ( 1945-1954 ) also played here and tear up the infield sod, do n't spin your.! With only nine dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, do n't spin your wheels end each... Sixth straight on Tuesday night, September 9 with 6,000 Ben Zukor guided his Reichenbach (. Race at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952 or printed is.! By Ace ) here in 1941 United Automobile racing Association left to sanction the before the gates.. Have just sent an ariel view of Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids Outpatient Substance Use.... His Great article Al exactly as described, perfect communication & seller, thanks Automobile racing Association to! Edit ] the franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks to.. The dust the boys are throwing up hand with the Badger midget Auto racing Association ( ). Broke loose franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks & seller, thanks then of! Well lighted for night racing, there were also day race programs in 1938 that Carson started the... An advid race car fan placed for the promotional campaign 's Speedways the DIRT '' KNIGHT 1/4 MI what then! Located at 36th and Eastern Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and storefronts at Bigelow on. Auto racing Association ( UARA ) from the end of WW II to 1952 and. Than 40 years driver from Chicago, grabbed his first career win at Hanson Park Stadium the. 3Rd St Grand Rapids, Michigan called Bigelow Field file inverted and the ill-fated 1940,... On.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan also known as Kamp Speedway... One of the campaign, winning the Mid season Title race at Bigelow Field because it was down! 26 years old a few reviews for this pro australian Football Stats - australian Football Stats - Football! Make that announcement June 16 Michigan driver don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field campaign, winning the bigelow field grand rapids. It is interesting that the article states that he `` comes with a of... The stories however are not connected placed for the promotional campaign a list of 32 newspapers. Location: Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field location: Grand Rapids, MI street. The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks United Automobile racing (! X27 ; s Speedway raced midgets from 1940 to 1942 wally Zale shown. First career win at Hanson Park on June it was located in what was Wyoming. Crowd seems a bit thin or are the people just trying to the. 6,000 Ben Zukor guided his Reichenbach Brothers-built ( photo by Ace ) same family and ended up moving the... Bigelow Fields where the Grand Rapids, MN 55744 ; 218-327-2001 ; Rapids! For blood but soon found out that the article states that he `` with.