2006 will be the final season for the Lake Geneva Raceway. On 9/9/06 Lake
Geneva held it's Legends night and asked all former drivers and former
employees to join them in a celebration of days gone by. The Vintage
Modified Stock Car club was asked to display their cars. The circle track at
Lake Geneva was built at the request of local Modified drivers who hoped
for an optional place to race back in 1966!!!
Geneva held it's Legends night and asked all former drivers and former
employees to join them in a celebration of days gone by. The Vintage
Modified Stock Car club was asked to display their cars. The circle track at
Lake Geneva was built at the request of local Modified drivers who hoped
for an optional place to race back in 1966!!!
| Although temps were low and the breeze made it even chillier, quit a few former IRA competitors ventured out for one last look at yet another former IRA track about to fade into the history books! |
| Mr and Mrs Fred Neilsen along with Mr and Mrs Johnny Reimer standing next to one of the most memorable of the IRA Mods! |
| Dick Duston with his son and granddaughter next to the Corvair! This car would really carry the front tire in it's day!! |
| Here is Fran and Whitey chatting with Allen. Allen's son Bob is on the far right! I've been after Allen to bring out the car for quit some time! It was awesome to see the car on display! Pat even located the old banner they used in the Stands!!! |
| Here's Fran Harris, Jack Biddison, Bob Surges, Whitey Harris and Dan "The Rebel" Kopshe looking over the Harris's photo scrap books! I was lucky enough to chat at length with Whitey about the early days of the IRA. The first organizational meeting for the IRA met at Fran and Whitey's kitchen table!!! |
| Here is the #16 IRA Modified driven by Allen Kautz. Allen retired from racing back in 1974 and he and his wife Pat parked the car in their walk out basement! It resided there for 32 years!!!!! Last week it was rolled back out into the sun light! Freed the rear drums, new points and condenser and a thoral cleaning of the fuel system was all it needed!!! Amazing after such a long time! Allen's son Bob was 9 yrs. old when this car made it's last lap! It's sure been great hearing how much fun this family has had in bringing the car back to life! |
| Here's former IRA Driver Rick Fahl in one of his last cars! |
| Here's another classic IRA car. Ron Bergsma's flat top Plymouth powered hot rod is unmistakable! Thanks to Vince Schavione and his wife for sharing it with us!! |
| Other notables I saw included former Lake Geneva Promoters Sturg Taggart and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Toft. Drivers I saw but was unable to get a picture of included Ken Monroe, Bill Klien, Bill Portalski, Irene Leach wife of Larry Leach, and Fran Baumgartner who filled Claude Potters ride after his death in 1970. Fran went on the be a stand out Late Model Sportsman Champ at Lake Geneva! Former track official Bernie Matchen was also on hand! |
Surges Photo
Surges Photo
Surges Photo
| Jimmy Boehles and Butch Mierendorf |
| Here is some of the on track pre-race activity. The VMSC club along with fast timers for the evening! |
| Mike Babitz and Jack Biddison in front. White House staffer Mark Biddison. Mark sang the National Anthem! Across the back LG Mayor Shelly Shepstone, Police Chief Homer Bauman and LG Promotor Kevin Dawson |
| Kevin Dawson personally thanked every Vintage driver who brought there cars out on to the track! |
| Here are the folks responsible for bring Pop's car back to life. In front, Duane and Anita Erikson with Pops Great grandson Donavin. In the rear, Great grandson David Erikson, my wife Dawn and I with our oldest boy Devin. Pat and Allen Kautz are just behind Devin. |
Surges Photo