Notebook: Columbus Speedway - 25th Street Raceway Oldtimers Reunion March 17

From Ron Scheffel via Danny Burton via TrackForum.com…

The Columbus/ 25th Street Raceway Oldtimers will hold their 9th annual reunion on Saturday, March 17, at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, south of Columbus, Indiana. This event was originated by Jerry Castor and Dave Norris to bring together racing fans of all ages. It does feature mostly vintage race cars, but several locally owned current race cars are normally on display. Two vintage Indy Cars are expected, the beautiful 1935 Studebaker owned by Joe Cunningham of Columbus and Mike Anderson of Mt Auburn will show one of his early ‘80s Indy cars. Chuck Faulkner will also display his recently completed replica ‘60s era A.J.Watson Roadster. We expect to have 2 very nice Curtis Craft Midgets, Don Cumberworth’s Offy powered and Graham Heath’s with a Ford V8 60. Last year and hopefully again this year, Fred Johns brought his immaculate Curtis Craft Offy ROADSTER. It is one of a very few ever built and has been featured in several magazines. This year Steve Perkins has notified us that he will bring his new replica Pat O’Conner Tribute car, the blue #7 SuMar car that Pat drove to victory at Trenton in 1957. Dale Fairfax is going to bring his replica of Billy Earl’s Roaring Roadster as well as several other display items for a special tribute to Billy.

There will be several Tony Stewart & Steve Kinser items that will be given away in our race car trivia contest as well as door prizes. We also have one very special Steve Kinser, Bob Trostle, Vise Grip Special, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, GMP 1/18 die cast sprint car. This newest version of the members only GMP die-cast series was just released in Dec. This one is even more special in the fact that it is SIGNED by the Hall of Famers!!!! This car will be raffled off to one very lucky person!!!! Raffle Tickets are available now and at the event and you DO NOT have to be present to win!!!!

Authors Dave Argabright & Greg Littleton will be at the reunion selling their books. Greg’s spectacular book on the history of all the roadsters ever entered in the Indy 500 is one of a kind!! Dave has authored several books relating to sprint car racing. There will also be representatives from Hoosier Auto Racing Fans (HARF) and Midwest Old Timers Vintage Race Car Club.

The 2007 event will see a couple of changes from past reunions, a new location and new date.

NEW LOCATION: The 4H Fairgrounds Community Bldg, across the street from the Pavilion where the event has been held the last 6 years.

NEW DATE: March 17, the later date should (hopefully) bring the chance for better weather.

As always, the event will bring together drivers, owners, mechanics and fans from the former area race tracks, the Columbus Speedway and the 25th Street Raceway, plus fans of all the racing that has taken place since that time at the tracks around southern Indiana. About 30 beautifully restored vintage race cars along and several modern counterparts as well as many racing displays and all types of racing memorabilia should make all automobile race fans look forward to the 2007 racing season!!

A “Hometown Hero” will again be honored and Vintage Racing movies will run all day long. Racing trivia contests will be held to determine winners of racing memorabilia and vendors will have everything the hardcore race fan needs to add to his or her memorabilia collection.

Hours of this year’s event are 11a.m. to 7p.m., with exhibitors able to load in at 8a.m. Those wishing to bring cars, photos and other racing memorabilia should call the reunion organizer Jerry Castor at (812)592-5010, or e-mail him at cstrindy@aol.com.

Food and drink will be available. There is no charge for admission but donations to help cover the expense of holding this event are greatly appreciated. Many local businesses sponsor this event, so be sure to pick up the info list of our sponsors and let these businesses know how much it is appreciated!!