Orval Alfred Beckel

1917 – 1967

 

Orval Beckel with a 1932 Hudson sedan that he drove for Lawrence Brooks

77 Speedway, Arkansas City, KS - Gary Virden photo

 

 

Orval Beckel, standing left, also drove this Lawrence Brooks owned coupe

Gary Virden photo from the Larry Brooks collection

 

 

Orval Beckel is shown clowning around with flagman Ray Ash while co-track owner Paul Borrow holds the flag.  That is Lawrence Brooks’ 1932 Hudson sedan in the background.  77 Speedway, Arkansas City, KS – Gary Virden photo from the Larry Brooks collection

 

Orval Beckel with a 1932 Hudson Sedan that he drove for Kenny Neely

Gary Virden photo

 

Orval Beckel in one of Lawrence Brooks’ early Fords.  The flagman was Lyle Baker – Gary Virden collection

 

 

 This photo was taken at Jack Merrick’s National Jalopy championship at Hutchinson, Kansas in July of 1960.  This Hudson powered “rail” was owned and driven by Orval Beckel.  The car number was 98 but Merrick renumbered the cars that year by how fast they were in time trials.  Beckel had timed in eleventh quickest so Merrick applied the number eleven on sticky paper – David Ross collection