Leadfootin' 

   in Loudon

        By Ken Paulsen

It was a warm summer day as over 120 vintage race cars converged on the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire to kick off the 11th Annual Vic Yerardi Memorial Vintage meet.  A large contingent of restored and replica asphalt modifieds from the 60's - 80's were able to test their engines full capability on the long one mile oval.

The cars lined up early Wednesday, August 1, awaiting the the start of hot lapping at 1:00 pm.  This mid week gathering may seem unusual but it represents the start of a five-day long celebration of vintage racing machines of all categories.  Thursday featured an all day series of hot lapping with each grouping of 15-20 cars given 20 minutes in turn to test Loudon's new surface.

It was quite evident that a lot of pride went into the building of each car.  Many of them represented reproductions or restorations of drivers who made their mark on local tracks, region competition or even the national scene (see Rolling Tributes below).  

Several Eastern clubs were represented this year:  STAR (Senior Tour Auto Racing), NEAR (New England Antique Racers), Atlantic Coast Oldtimers,  MVSCC (Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club) along with several other organizations. Vintage racing is alive and well in the northeast.. 

Stock Cars of all eras easily accounted for half of the entries.  Perhaps the most unusual was the #621 flathead powered cut down that represented an early 1950s movement at a number of New England tracks.  I recall seeing a picture of the original car in Stock Car Racing magazine back in the late 1960s.

The Phillips 66 1937 Ford looks well fortified.  The rear section was removed almost to the axle and a sturdy bumper welded in place.

The sprinters and roadsters also came in a variety of shapes and sizes.  The Bowes Seal Fast car receives  a starting boost before attaining speed coming down the front straightaway.  Old sprinters had a different approach.  Loop a rope tied to a tow truck around the front axle and once the engine started firing, release the rope and you were on your way.

It is good to see an annual event that just keeps getting better.  The fact that it happens mid week just means you have to get creative.  You might try "My cat is having a bad hair day and I have to keep it company" or "I intend on working Saturday so I didn't think you would mind if I took Wednesday off" or "Somebody stole my car and drove it to Loudon".  Or just take half a vacation day and enjoy a great time with the cars and drivers.

   Rolling Tributes to . . .

     . . .  Richie Evans                                      . . .  Charlie Jarzombek

     . . . Herb Thomas                                    . . .  Doug Wolfgang

   . . .   Gil Hearne                                      . . .   Eddie Flemke

     . . .  Eddie Sacks                                    . . .   Curtis Turner

        . . .   Ray Tilley                                        . . .  Vic Yerardi

                                       . . .   Maynard Troyer  twice