1950s and 1960s at the Jackson V.F.W. Racing Track.
As a young boy growing up in those days I remember most drivers and owners building their own cars from the ground up. But, as with all things, time changes our surroundings. Starting in the 1970s many cars were becoming professionally built. The cost of racing went up exponentially, and at times, the local crowds started to disappear. People who watched their dads, uncles, or brothers race were soon becoming a thing of the past. It went from being a family event to one of high stakes. The cars came from greater distances away and the audiences were rooting for drivers that were either professional or semi-professional.
During the 1940's many nations pulled together to defeat a great evil in the world. The sacrifices that made our nation great required that we as a people might put our personal lives on hold to ensure that our children would have a better world to live in, in the days and years to come. It then would be natural for Americans to pull together to build a better nation, state, and as well, cities and organizations. Even in play our grandfathers/grandmothers, aunts and uncles and parents knew the value of working together to accomplish what few could do alone.
In the 1950s and 60's my thoughts go back to that of the V.F.W. volunteers who worked the track, made meals for the spectators, flagged the races and took care of the grounds all for free. They all pitched in and never complained. The final product was a night of memories that live on in my thoughts as being very, very special place to grow up. For those that made all these things possible, you have my undying gratitude, thank you so, so very much!
As a young boy growing up in those days I remember most drivers and owners building their own cars from the ground up. But, as with all things, time changes our surroundings. Starting in the 1970s many cars were becoming professionally built. The cost of racing went up exponentially, and at times, the local crowds started to disappear. People who watched their dads, uncles, or brothers race were soon becoming a thing of the past. It went from being a family event to one of high stakes. The cars came from greater distances away and the audiences were rooting for drivers that were either professional or semi-professional.
During the 1940's many nations pulled together to defeat a great evil in the world. The sacrifices that made our nation great required that we as a people might put our personal lives on hold to ensure that our children would have a better world to live in, in the days and years to come. It then would be natural for Americans to pull together to build a better nation, state, and as well, cities and organizations. Even in play our grandfathers/grandmothers, aunts and uncles and parents knew the value of working together to accomplish what few could do alone.
In the 1950s and 60's my thoughts go back to that of the V.F.W. volunteers who worked the track, made meals for the spectators, flagged the races and took care of the grounds all for free. They all pitched in and never complained. The final product was a night of memories that live on in my thoughts as being very, very special place to grow up. For those that made all these things possible, you have my undying gratitude, thank you so, so very much!
