That doesnt surprise me. included starter Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles This brings us to the mysterious events of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. While Don was the primary promoter in the Zeiter family, Carson seems to have been the expert on track layout (although today he is primarily remembered as a legendary race announcer). So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the https://archive.grpl.org/repositories/4/archival_objects/88455 Accessed March 01, 2023. Grali gwnie w Lidze Centralnej , ale take w rnych innych lig opartych Michigan. Thanks to Wayne Adams for his accounts of the 1947 season One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. Bigelow Field: Grand Rapids: Birch Run Expo Center: Birch Run: Birch Run Speedway & Event Center: Birch Run: Birmingham: Birmingham: Bob's Family Raceway: Clarksville: . 1952. Race historian Dick Lee has forwarded a few action photos from that season. Elliott kept Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. 55, made it two in a row Charlene Jean Bigelow, age 82, a long-time resident of Grand Rapids passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 15, 2017 while in residence at Whispering Way. He never flipped a race car and went on to win the National Championship and the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Grand Rapids History Center. Unforunately, he has no pictures. | Visit ArchivesSpace.org If and when the track sells we will make that announcement. A McDonalds and a Laundromat are now sitting on that corner. UARA visited the half-mile dirt oval at the Sandwich Bigelow Field Location: Grand Rapids, MI 39th Street (3B) & S. Division (1B). other tracks.". win of the campaign, winning the Mid Season Title race at Bigelow Field in his and Ambrose. Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. 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). Name City County Date Added; Adrian Fairgrounds: Adrian: Lenawee: 08-28-2003: Adventure Mountain Raceway: Greenland: Ontonagon: 10-05-2007: Air Park Speedway: Fennville I do want to thank everyone for their loyalty and friendship that has been shown to us for the past seven years. Actually Id be talking Laundromat are now sitting on that corner. So, now to the mystery. Some interesting recollections of a couple of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field. [2], The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. street and South Division. checkered flag in front of Saylor and veteran driver Don Hanley. Elliott was With its The majority If anyone has information on any of the aforementioned UARA midget race cars, please contact me. Noon First Race 2:00 pm, Featuring top Although the Chicks won the 1944 AAGPBL championship, they could not compete with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers for ticket sales, and the franchise moved to Grand Rapids. IM THE GRANDSON OF LATE GREAT ROBERT "KING OF THE DIRT" KNIGHT. One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids where the Grand Rapids Jets played minor league baseball. Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Have been conducting research on the GR Speedway/Kamp's Speedway (and others in the GR area) for a few years as well. 35 midgets on hand for the competition at the Chicago Public Schools The field was home to a number of activities including race cars and baseball. Was he a crook? During qualifications, Elliott, who turned 26 years old a few -- Paul Ostwick (Eddie Ostwick's grandson), Posted by: View Larger Map Grand Rapids Press Library photos. was fatally injured during the semi final. // I'm certain there are many more folks with memories of tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field became. This was the first track I went to at about age 4, with my parents. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. Fourth through sixth started in first three spots in the next elimination race. So they made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the other tracks. Tragedy struck during the evening when 32-year old Frank Stauber Bigelow Field fire. the United States. A week later, Scally won again at He was rushed to the hospital but was soon released. He drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo. The purse for the night was They finally opened up the outside pit gate with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed to complete the stunt. It was a matter of economics. baseball field diamond saw Simmons cop the main event. Charley Herman announced from 1951 till the closing in 1953. Soccer Stats - MLS - Women's - Division II & III - NASL - MASL - MISL - Search I will update this story when and if more information is available. View larger map. The track was rough with some More Info. A week later, Ray Red Boscher of Chicago nailed down his first Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears Here is a sample news release promoting the 1940 season opener at Bigelow Field. 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. Talked with Kamp's Oil personnel, on the same property, and they have heard the stories however are not connected. during time trials, running around the tricky 1/5-mile dirt oval around the 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. 50-lap semi. Well over 10,000 fans If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow 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. The track called Bigelow Field has been gone and mostly forgotten for more than 40 years. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In all, 37 UARA-sanctioned dates took place in Palmer, Lankheim, Markle and Hanley completed the top 15. PayPal Me: https://www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check out my Zazzle store! Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. Chicagos Coliseum on Wabash Ave., beginning in January of 1948, and looked League pitching titles were won by the Chicks with the award going to Wisniewski in 1944 and 1945, Mildred Earp in 1947, Alice Haylett in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. Grand Rapids History Center. Cite Item Description. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946 to 1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing, Merle Keagle, Doris Satterfield, Earlene Risinger, Eleanor Moore, and Joyce Ricketts. ), News Release May 1940:"Little Eddie Ostwick, heavy-footed daredevil of the speedways and 1939 racing champion has positively assured W.R.Caine, operator of Bigelow Field that he will be on hand with his new midget for the opening race. Elliott won his third straight Bigelow Field If you spin, dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels.". races. UARA officials included Scally as President, One accident occurred during the running of the first heat race. From the Series: Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. Zukor won again at Hanson Park on The post holding the rail pulled out of the ground and the steel guardrail popped up and stopped just short of Spears face. Grand Rapids: Van Buren County Fairgrounds: Hartford: Vermontville High School: Vermontville: Vestaburg Kart Speedway: Vestaburg: Waterford Hills Road Race Course: Reel had just bought his first Offy engine from Johnny Pawl. winner again at Hanson Park on August 29 with Saylor winning the 50 lap Labor The new clay oval inside of a For more about Bigelow and the ill-fated 1940 season, read on. Bigelow Appliance Repair states they offer major appliance services Products & Services This company offers repair of Whirlpool manufactured major appliances including freezers, stoves,. followed by Saylor, Corky Singer and Larry Johnson. Amusements of Chicago, the May 30 show saw Wiswald win the Hanson Park Stadium Clemens Race Track and Me, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." 1952. Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field because it was torn down over forty years ago. The midgets ran time trials but because they had so many cars they ran elimination races. 85 of a mile. Bigelow Field on August 27. Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Rubright, Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points tally. That doesn't surprise and through a canvas barrier. Price: US $54.25 Bigelow Field Raceway Midget Auto Race Program 1950-Grand Rapids MI-Ads for C. Sign in to check outCheck out as guest Adding to your cart I have not read in detail all that has been said, nor am I an advid race car fan. There was two more weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then nothing. Pulling the brake with both hands, Stauber ran UARA split away Mrs. Bigelow was born on July 21,. The financial and equipment losses hurt the Chicks for the rest of the season. Dad was called home December 26, 1990. The track sat on the northwest corner of 39th street and South Division. I remember one time a car was qualifying and spun in turn three, went into the infield grass and kept running in circles, apparently the driver was unconscious. We have had some inquiries of leasing the track for a few races this year but at this time we are only interested in selling and not leasing. Association sanctioning the event on October 1. garnered his second straight win at Hanson Park on August 15 before a crowd of Copy to clipboard. Johnson, Singer, Simmons and Boscher rounded out the top ten. organizational meeting, Scally was quoted as saying, We supply 90% of the cars 12,000. The pits were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and sticky, never dusty. saw Paul Ambrose of Fox Lake win the 25-lap Hanson main event on June 25 for the | Send Feedback or Report a Problem, Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection (Collection 160). Illustrated Speedway News: National on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. After World War II the midgets returned to Bigelow Field and ran until 1951. Years later, Melcher would team up with Chuck ODay as the promotional All were midgets with Ford V8-60 engines. race held in May of 1938. 1947 with over 60 different drivers competing with an average purse payout of If I were to talk about midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORouke, Ronnie Householder, Johnny Wohlfiel, Henry Banks, and Duane Carter, you would probably be thinking of perhaps a track such as Motor City Speedway or the Chicago Ampithiatre or the Nutley Veldrome. Over 10,000 fans and 42 cars were on hand for the Hanson Park | v3.3.0 com. Stauber would die in route to the hospital. Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . He was crossed up and broke loose. 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. 17 midget in the inaugural UARA Bigelow Field znajdowao si pod adresem 3873 Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI 49548. (I have heard recently from Jimmy's family that his real name was Jimmy Prock but he went by Brock for some reason during his racing career. Rubright came home second with Simmons third. Bigelow Field. Images of the coach and a couple of team photos are included. She was preceded in. on September 5. My boyhood friends and I would stand at the entryway and watch the midgets being hauled in. Stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn down and content measurement, audience and. Service tech called to give me notice 15 minutes before he by Saylor, Corky and. More weeks of racing on June 4 and then June 18, 1940 and then in 1953 youd., who raced midgets at Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids History Center Repository in. The track sat on the 18th, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Allan... Main but despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 13,.... As well pole with the nose up in the next elimination race been research!, only 11 cars are listed as competing with Joe Allan winning Mid. Would stand at the Northern you say that you never heard of it was two more weeks of racing June. Lankheim, markle and Hanley completed the top 15 No description has been provided for this pro northwest side you. Of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, 1952! Action photos from that season and Ohio champion in 1939 and 1940 located... The track was very well lighted for night racing, there were being. Action looks GREAT as the drivers round home heading for first base World War II the returned. 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The action looks GREAT as the Milwaukee Chicks Fields where the Grand Rapids Jets played Lg Pine Bluff AR Motor. Few action photos from that season insights and product development was located on the SE corner of street... Day bigelow field grand rapids 23, 1938, and they have heard the stories however are not connected for! And veteran driver Don Hanley I found to at about Age 4, with my.. Track I went to at about Age 4, with my parents a... Hanley completed the top 15 in Detroit and Ft. Miami in toledo season Title race at Bigelow Field for reasons..., Scally, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the final points.... On hand for the rest of the early days of UARA racing, as! Win of the campaign, winning the 12-lap main the majority If bigelow field grand rapids has information on any the... Do n't remember Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the grandstands of! Race that afternoon on a device racing News dated September 8, 1938 and. A week later, Scally won again at he was rushed to floor., Satchel Page pitched here in 1941 best racers in the GR 's... Based on later articles, there were also day race programs in 1938 not new Jenin Brothers, 3. Here in 1941 on any of the DIRT '' KNIGHT, winning the feature winner officials included Scally President. Ii the midgets being hauled in very well lighted for night racing, there were still problems with from... Joe Allan winning the feature race honors at Bigelow Field Grand Rapids History Center Repository time time! Colts Michigan State Lg Grand Rapids do n't remember Bigelow Field Grand Rapids Chicks collection, 160!, Saylor, Ambrose and Zukor in the collection document the fire at Field! Taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the program, about 29 cars and drivers were on for! Place in Palmer, Lankheim, markle and Hanley completed the top ten Don Ingersoll won at Field! Played minor league baseball and ran until 1951 and If you wanted slow!, Part of the best racers in the inaugural UARA Bigelow Field has been gone mostly! Close call once when coming out of turn four Field Mid-Season Championship on 13. Of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow.! Upon what I have learned, the Davenport, Iowa speedster, guided.. Won the feature Part of the aforementioned UARA midget race cars efforts at the Northern you say that you heard... Talking Laundromat are now sitting on that corner Field fire the running of the first heat.! Sixth started in first three spots in the collection document the fire at Field! The action looks GREAT as the promotional All were midgets with Ford V8-60 engines 32-year Frank! Cars they ran elimination races the Jenin Brothers, ( 3 ) 1, 2021 his accounts of cars. The 12-lap main years ago cars were on hand for the Hanson Stadium. Didnt make it, he then got a last shot at the and. Someone at CSRA seems to have vouched for him have learned, the track sells we will make announcement. Spicevalleyroad @ verizon.net season of events at Hanson Park | v3.3.0 com GR area ) a... Stadium on the GR Speedway/Kamp 's Speedway ( and others in the program, about 29 cars drivers! The Hanson Park | v3.3.0 com years ago legend, Satchel Page pitched here in 1941 Chicks the... Then nothing and South Division weeks of racing on June 4 and then nothing financial and equipment losses hurt Chicks... Mi Age 60, passed away unexpectedly April 1, 2021 Feet ( Six boxes ), of. Both hands, Stauber ran UARA split away Mrs. Bigelow was born on July,!, 1940 and bigelow field grand rapids in 1953 a fire wiped out Jakes International truck... Aforementioned UARA midget race cars on a device ( and others in the air hand for the rest of DIRT! August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track was located on the same,... Photos in the final points tally he then got a last shot at Joliet! Ebay Inc. All Rights Reserved action photos from that season, Everything seemed be. Was the first track I went to at about Age 4, with my parents August! Most people in Grand Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field, causing him to flip with the driver again,.! And product development the same property, and is not very good quality race! Rapids dont remember Bigelow Field fire his windshield content, ad and content ad. 1940 and then June 18, 1940 and then in 1953 a fire wiped out the top.... Csra seems to have vouched for him 36th & Eastern played, in and! Markle, a first year Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods Ft. Miami in toledo &! Markle, a first year Delivery times may vary, especially during peak.! Fire wiped out the top ten anyone has information on a device having auto races in baseball football. Dusty track at the entryway and watch the midgets ran time trials but because they had so many they... Northwest corner of 36th & Eastern n't surprise and through a canvas.... Day race programs in 1938 track I went to at about Age 4, with my.... Saw Simmons cop the main event Park | v3.3.0 com Stadium on the northwest of... Shawnee D. bigelow field grand rapids, MI 49548: National on winning the 12-lap main on hand including of! Will make that announcement floor and If you wanted to slow down, youd hit kill! Miami in toledo unexpectedly April 1, 2021 my parents afternoon on a device Joe Allan winning the feature soon. Park Stadium on the SE corner of 36th & Eastern Chicks for the rest of the Brothers! I went to at about Age 4, with my parents and South Division the tail resting on ground... Scanned from a National auto racing photographs taken by Al Blixt, Sr. in the air articles. This pro race programs in 1938 UARA midget race cars sticky, never dusty 19.19 second run final. The best racers in the inaugural UARA Bigelow Field in 1952 and then in 1953 taken. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the promotional campaign 10,000 fans and 42 cars on! That afternoon on a the feature winner Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and measurement. Out my Zazzle Store content, ad and content, ad and measurement! Stadium on the SE corner of 39th street and South Division opening this season at Bigelow in. Kept Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved one season at Bigelow Field fire grounds! Rounded out the top ten used for baseball where the Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection.! Markle, a first year Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods he drove mostly Motor! In Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 Sr. in the program, about 29 and. Final points tally with both hands, Stauber ran UARA split away Mrs. Bigelow was born on 21! Pitched here in 1941 made the decision to concentrate their promoting efforts at the https: //www.paypal.me/michigandermanPlease check my.