USAC Champions Tribute by Loud Pedal Productions
- Thread starter Kenny
- Start date
Hillbeartoe
Guest
You know this is interesting.
I spent a lot of time at Manzanita Speedway (dirt track stock, sprint and midgets) when I was a child. My uncle worked pit crews for several drivers and it was so cool to be a kid in the pits.
I was fortunate enough and also unfortunate enough to get to see Guy Smiley race many times. I was also there when he wrecked and was decapitated. His poor wife rushing across the track to get his helmet not knowing yet what had happened and that his head was still in it.
It has been a very long time since I have been to any races other than Drags out at Firebird Raceway before it closed down.
Something so cool about the roar. Kinda like hearing the dings at the casino or the subsonic sounds at a concert that get your blood pumping.
I spent a lot of time at Manzanita Speedway (dirt track stock, sprint and midgets) when I was a child. My uncle worked pit crews for several drivers and it was so cool to be a kid in the pits.
I was fortunate enough and also unfortunate enough to get to see Guy Smiley race many times. I was also there when he wrecked and was decapitated. His poor wife rushing across the track to get his helmet not knowing yet what had happened and that his head was still in it.
It has been a very long time since I have been to any races other than Drags out at Firebird Raceway before it closed down.
Something so cool about the roar. Kinda like hearing the dings at the casino or the subsonic sounds at a concert that get your blood pumping.
Kenny
Guest
I've spent all of my life with the open wheeled community and at Manzy off and on since 56/57, the time when Windy McDonald started announcing there. The Smiley's were involved in many forms of dirt racing in AZ with Marion Smiley out of Tucson being the most notable. I think he's in the Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame. Think back, are you sure his name was Guy Smiley as the accident you describe sounds like one that took one of our Sprint Car drivers. What year and what kind of car was he driving and how old were you? I've found the fatalities up to 92 and I'm sure no other open wheeled drivers (any I think) have been killed there since Sunny Irwin in 92 and yes I was there.
Death visited Manzanita to claim nine more drivers and a photographer
between 1956 and 1992. Steve Pritchard first perished in a super modified July
28, 1976, followed by jalopy driver Fred Combs Dec. 29, 1957. Arnold, who would
have been 78 March 28, was the third driver to die instantly or from injuries.
Jim Cox died during a World Championship event Oct. 9, 1971, followed by USRC
pilot Ed Losinski Sept. 19, 1976. Steve Bartram died in a local hospital July 25,
1977 after a crash here nine days earlier. 1973 Arizona Sprint Car Champion
Buddy Taylor received a pothumous title after his Sept. 23, 1978 crash.
Long-time Northeastern and Midwestern fans may remember that Larry
Brandon started racing on Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia ovals before
heading west. Brandon, who was killed in a World Champmionship late model race
May 21, 1976, was buried in his native Ohio.
ARA pilot Jim Doughty's June 30, 1979 fatality closed Manzanita's bloody
decade. Sprinter Sonny Irwin was the last to die here July 11, 1992.
Death visited Manzanita to claim nine more drivers and a photographer
between 1956 and 1992. Steve Pritchard first perished in a super modified July
28, 1976, followed by jalopy driver Fred Combs Dec. 29, 1957. Arnold, who would
have been 78 March 28, was the third driver to die instantly or from injuries.
Jim Cox died during a World Championship event Oct. 9, 1971, followed by USRC
pilot Ed Losinski Sept. 19, 1976. Steve Bartram died in a local hospital July 25,
1977 after a crash here nine days earlier. 1973 Arizona Sprint Car Champion
Buddy Taylor received a pothumous title after his Sept. 23, 1978 crash.
Long-time Northeastern and Midwestern fans may remember that Larry
Brandon started racing on Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia ovals before
heading west. Brandon, who was killed in a World Champmionship late model race
May 21, 1976, was buried in his native Ohio.
ARA pilot Jim Doughty's June 30, 1979 fatality closed Manzanita's bloody
decade. Sprinter Sonny Irwin was the last to die here July 11, 1992.
Hillbeartoe
Guest
Umm prety sure, I wasn't a teenager. We called him Guy but I know that wasn't his given name. He always had a Mickey mouse on his car.
When we get back from PP I will call my uncle and get the details. Though I remember the Name Buddy Taylor I wonder if that was it because the age would be right me going on 8 years old. But I do recall the Micky on his car which I want to say was Sprint.
It would be amazing if you actually knew my family.
When we get back from PP I will call my uncle and get the details. Though I remember the Name Buddy Taylor I wonder if that was it because the age would be right me going on 8 years old. But I do recall the Micky on his car which I want to say was Sprint.
It would be amazing if you actually knew my family.
Kenny
Guest
There was a period when I was over at Ascot in S Cali during the 60's and early seventies and some time up in the Pacific Northwest and N.M. but for the most it was Manzy. This is the Smiley I'm most familiar with, Tony, and of course both SUPER Ricky Gaunt and CHARGIN Charlie Davis Jr.http://www.hammerdownusa.com/scra042404.htm
Hillbeartoe
Guest
So do you know or recall Edward Maldonado in your visits to "Manzy"?
Kenny
Guest
I don't, but I sometimes forget my co-workers names.
Hillbeartoe
Guest
Damn, I wonder who that memory is of. I definately have to talk to my uncle when we get back to town.
I hate when my memory is so warped. I was 7 but still. Lol.
I hate when my memory is so warped. I was 7 but still. Lol.
Kenny
Guest
Terry I saw him run many times through the years (should have caught thatLOL) and he was recently honored at Steve Strouds Arizona Open Wheeled Museum. If you've neven been there you need to go by and check it out. It's a great place and still growing. ..http://www.azracingmuseum.org/index.php/az-open-wheel-racing-museum..........http://www.azracingmuseum.org/index.php/az-open-wheel-racing-museum-2/126-a-celebration-of-darrell-dockery-s-life-on-saturday-oct-25th
Last edited: