Reminiscing... 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway - Auto Racing Memories

sramoa · 01-10-2012, 08:55 AM

I found a list this year for Lakeside standing.Possible for somebody interesting...

1.Llyod Axell(310 pts)
2.Bud Martinson(207)
3.Aaron Woodard(155)
4.Roy Leslie(135)
5.Bob Vorbeck(112)
6.Burton Spickler(91)
7.Morris Musick(75)
8.Alex Yeada(61)
9.Otis Stevens(52)
10.Bert McNeece(50)
11.Joe Giba(34)
12.Johnny Tolan(31)
13.Vic Shay(26)
14.Tony Bowe(15)
15.Bill Logan(12)

Class B

1.Earl Kouba(38)
2.Bill Logan(36)
3.Vic Shay(34)
4.Otis Stevens(33)
5.? Nelson(27)

Enjoy!

Mitch G. · 01-10-2012, 10:56 AM

This was the first official season for the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA), the AAA had been voted out of midget racing in Colorado and the new association formed, it was 1940. Axel won 19 main events that season!

bobjeffreson · 01-10-2012, 02:17 PM

I noticed number 12 on the list is Johnny Tolan. Tolan had a connection with Australia, albeit not a very happy one.
In 1964 Tolan travelled to Australia with Bob Tattersall and Jimmy Davies. He crashed during a race at the Sydney Showgrounds and suffered back injuries which ended his career.

numbbers · 01-11-2012, 06:20 PM

Where did you find the list? I would like to get them for other years.

sramoa · 01-13-2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbbers

Where did you find the list? I would like to get them for other years.

My friend sent to me some months ago.I don't know where did he found...If I have more interesting list I will sharing for us!

Mitch G. · 01-13-2012, 09:46 AM

numbbers, try to get your hands on Bill Hill's, "Decades of Daring - Midget Racing in the Rocky Mountains", published in 2000. It covers the RMMRA up until about 1980 or so, has all the point standings, stats, etc.

cemar · 02-14-2012, 09:28 PM

We ran a few midget events in the late 50's at the Speedway.
This photo shows what has to be the shortest driver we ever ran against.
This was from the 1958 season.
Driver is Tommy (flip flop) Rice, I think from Denver and all of 5 foot tall.
As you can see his size did not prevent him from winning many main events.
cemar

dingdow · 02-03-2013, 10:44 PM

What ever happened to Tommy Rice?

Thomas E · 02-05-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingdow

What ever happened to Tommy Rice?

Tommy Rice? I'll have to ask Kimberly K. (Rice) Ellis our daughter-in-law (our late son Thomas' wife). Kimberly's dad, Ron Rice and Tommy Rice were cousins, Ron died several years ago.

I can dig up some details about Tommy Rice, number 92, and the Rice family, Isaiah and Margaret Rice, they are both deceased. I believe Isaiah died in 1961 and Margaret died several years ago. Coincidentally I have the title to number 92, Kimberly found it among here gramma Margaret's personal belongings. You may think it strange that I have the title, even the story about number 92 and and the Rice family is strange.

dingdow · 03-01-2013, 11:33 PM

Thanks, I talked to my Dad about Tommy. He said he was in a racing crash. Dad said he flipped and broke his neck. The doc said he died on impact, yet he drove his car into the infield and out of traffic. But he didn't know for sure. Dad said he was one of the best drivers of that period. Any more info or photos would be appreciated. Thanks again.

01-10-2012, 08:55 AM	#1
sramoa Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dorog,Hungary,Europe Age: 42 Posts: 31	1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway I found a list this year for Lakeside standing.Possible for somebody interesting... 1.Llyod Axell(310 pts) 2.Bud Martinson(207) 3.Aaron Woodard(155) 4.Roy Leslie(135) 5.Bob Vorbeck(112) 6.Burton Spickler(91) 7.Morris Musick(75) 8.Alex Yeada(61) 9.Otis Stevens(52) 10.Bert McNeece(50) 11.Joe Giba(34) 12.Johnny Tolan(31) 13.Vic Shay(26) 14.Tony Bowe(15) 15.Bill Logan(12) Class B 1.Earl Kouba(38) 2.Bill Logan(36) 3.Vic Shay(34) 4.Otis Stevens(33) 5.? Nelson(27) Enjoy!

01-10-2012, 10:56 AM	#2
Mitch G. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Age: 59 Posts: 1,106	Re: 1940 Lakeide,Denver,CO Midget Speedway This was the first official season for the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA), the AAA had been voted out of midget racing in Colorado and the new association formed, it was 1940. Axel won 19 main events that season!

01-10-2012, 02:17 PM	#3
bobjeffreson Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 68 Posts: 306	Re: 1940 Lakeide,Denver,CO Midget Speedway I noticed number 12 on the list is Johnny Tolan. Tolan had a connection with Australia, albeit not a very happy one. In 1964 Tolan travelled to Australia with Bob Tattersall and Jimmy Davies. He crashed during a race at the Sydney Showgrounds and suffered back injuries which ended his career.

01-11-2012, 06:20 PM	#4
numbbers Old Guy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO Age: 74 Posts: 39	Re: 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway Where did you find the list? I would like to get them for other years.

01-13-2012, 09:46 AM	#6
Mitch G. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Age: 59 Posts: 1,106	Re: 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway numbbers, try to get your hands on Bill Hill's, "Decades of Daring - Midget Racing in the Rocky Mountains", published in 2000. It covers the RMMRA up until about 1980 or so, has all the point standings, stats, etc.

02-14-2012, 09:28 PM	#7
cemar Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 80	Re: 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway We ran a few midget events in the late 50's at the Speedway. This photo shows what has to be the shortest driver we ever ran against. This was from the 1958 season. Driver is Tommy (flip flop) Rice, I think from Denver and all of 5 foot tall. As you can see his size did not prevent him from winning many main events. cemar Attached Thumbnails

02-03-2013, 10:44 PM	#8
dingdow Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Clearfield, Utah Age: 68 Posts: 6	Re: 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway What ever happened to Tommy Rice?

03-01-2013, 11:33 PM	#10
dingdow Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Clearfield, Utah Age: 68 Posts: 6	Re: 1940 Lakeside, Denver, CO Midget Speedway Thanks, I talked to my Dad about Tommy. He said he was in a racing crash. Dad said he flipped and broke his neck. The doc said he died on impact, yet he drove his car into the infield and out of traffic. But he didn't know for sure. Dad said he was one of the best drivers of that period. Any more info or photos would be appreciated. Thanks again.