UMCA Sprint Car Races

Sportsman Park – Oakley, Kansas

Saturday Night, July 19, 1952

 

 

 Dave Carter is shown here in the Hanestad HAL6 that he raced on this night at Oakley

Don Radbruch collection

 

 

 

Oakley Graphic

Friday, July 18, 1952 – Front Page

 

AUTO RACES SAT. NITE, JULY 19

U.M.C.A. PROMISES CARS

The United Motor Contest Association has guaranteed 12 cars to qualify at the Auto Races Saturday night at the Oakley Sportsman Park.  Time trials will be at 8 o’clock sharp.  These cars will be the fastest in competition, and they said not to be surprised if some Offenhausers should appear.

Due to the Russell (Kansas) race on the 4th of July, the expected number of race cars did not materialize for the Oakley race.  It has been reported that the UMCA had a meeting after the races at Norton (Kansas) and the fur really flew.  It was getting pretty obvious that something had to be done as the regular run of cars weren’t showing up for the races.  “Bud” Manning was at that meeting and his ears are still red.  After telling the boys about the people of Oakley turning out so well for the last race, so they promised to be here for the next race, which is Saturday night, July 19th, and all agreed to be here on the streets of Oakley two hours before race time, so we can look them over.

The Jaycees, who are sponsoring the race are going to try and park the cars all together at the south end of Main street, if that is all possible.

There were three cars that had to have special made parts and due to the wheat harvest and the sudden increase in business all across the country, the boys could not get these parts in time.  But, the Association reports that this has been taken care of and those three cars will be ready.  The other cars were given an alternative of either bringing their cars or getting out of the Association, so of course they will bring their cars.

From all reports, it should be a good race here Saturday night.  Don’t be afraid to come as there will be plenty of cars on hand this time and also the south turn in the track will be reworked and more water put on it.  That way the dust won’t roll up so much.  Come early as you may not get a seat.  Time trials will be at 8:00 p.m. sharp and they promise to be fast ones.

 

TIME TRIALS

PLACE

CAR #

ENGINE

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR OWNER

HOMETOWN

1

63

Hal6

Dave Carter1

Stockton, CA

Hank Hanestad4

Alameda, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TROPHY DASH

PLACE

CAR #

ENGINE

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR OWNER

HOMETOWN

1

9

Hal

Larry Crist2

Garden City, KS

Larry Crist

Garden City, KS

2

63

Hal6

Dave Carter1

Stockton, CA

Hank Hanestad4

Alameda, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAST CAR HEAT

PLACE

CAR #

ENGINE

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR OWNER

HOMETOWN

1

63

Hal6

Dave Carter1

Stockton, CA

Hank Hanestad4

Alameda, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B FEATURE

PLACE

CAR #

ENGINE

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR OWNER

HOMETOWN

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

19

Chrysler

Bud Manning

Oakley, KS

Brown Motor Co.

Oberlin, KS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A FEATURE – 11 Cars - 15 Laps

PLACE

CAR #

ENGINE

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR OWNER

HOMETOWN

1

63

Hal6

Dave Carter1

Stockton, CA

Hank Hanestad4

Alameda, CA

2

1

Chevrolet

Lloyd Walinder

Oberlin, KS

Lloyd Walinder

Oberlin, KS

3 of the other 9 known starters in this race:

DNF – engine

9

Hal

Larry Crist2

Garden City, KS

Larry Crist2

Garden City, KS

DNF – wreck

32

Nash-Healey5

T. E. Russell3

Denver, CO

Curt Stockwell

Denver, CO 

DNF – wreck

19

Chrysler

Bud Manning

Oakley, KS

Brown Motor Co.

Oberlin, KS

 

 

Oakley Graphic

Friday, July 25, 1952 – Front Page

 

BUD MANNING SERIOUSLY HURT

AS HIS RACING CAR OVERTURNS

 

Popular Local Top Point Driver Is In Very Serious Condition at Hospital

A large crowd attending the Auto Races Saturday night in Oakley’s Sportsman Park witnessed an entanglement of cars at the start of the feature race, which resulted in the serious injury of a local man, Bud Manning, popular driver of the Chrysler V-8 No. 19.

The accident occurred when Manning attempted to dodge a cream can which blew onto the track at the first turn and unnoticed by officials.  Where the cream can came from no one knows, as there were none in use for the race.  The 11 cars had just gone around the track three times to get lined up, and everyone was intensely watching the cars for the green “start off” flag by flagman Mr. (Ernie) Powell, and Jack Merrick, the announcer, in the main event of the evening.

As a result of the time trials, Manning was in third place, outside pole in this feature race.  Next to him was T. E. Russell of Denver in Car No.32.  The 11 drivers received the go flag and were nearing the first turn when Bud noticed something on the track and swerved a little to the left to dodge it.  As he did so he became entangled with Car 32, who was attempting to pass Bud on the inside, and both cars rolled over three times and into the cattle chute at the south end of the track pit.  As people arrived on the scene, Car No. 32 was on top of Bud’s car and Bud was pinned underneath of it all-not to mention all the fence and barbed wire wrapped around and on top.  Bud was unconscious for a few minutes and when he came to, he complained of a hurting in his chest.  The Hall ambulance took him immediately to the Logan County Hospital.  The driver of Car No. 32, T. E. Russell was not hurt.

The total extent of Bud’s injuries is not known.  He was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Hays (Kansas) Tuesday for more chest X-rays.  Besides being pretty well beaten up, he has a chipped collarbone, two vertebrae out of place, cracked ribs, and his right arm is hurt.  In other words his condition is very serious.

Drivers of the UMCA, friends and fans of Bud Manning are very sorry that Bud has been laid up and is suffering from injuries.  Drivers have donated $138 to take care of Bud’s hospitalization, as drivers do not have insurance.  Ferney Perry, President of the Chamber of Commerce said a benefit race is being planned in the near future at Oakley to help with hospitalization expenses.  But most of all, we are hoping that Bud has a speedy recovery.

Both cars were badly damaged.  The transmission in Car 32 was completely wrecked.  Mechanics worked on Car 19 all night and had it ready to go for the races at Oberlin the next day and it was driven by Mr. Russell.  We did not get the placings.

Mary Lou Stevens was trophy girl and presented Larry (Crist) with the trophy and a nice a nice big kiss (for winning the trophy dash).

There were 12 cars present at the race Saturday evening and the drivers were doing their best to make the event a most entertaining one for the crowd.

 

 

 National Speed Sport News

Thursday, July 24, 1952 – by Jack Merrick

 

MANNING SERIOUSLY INJURED IN OAKLEY BIG CAR RACE

JOHNNY THOMPSON WINS

            Johnny Thompson,1 driving the rapid Hanestad Offy No. 63, took home top honors Saturday night by turning the fastest time, taking the fast car heat, and the 15-lap big-car feature the United Motor Contest Association banner.

            Larry Crist, driving the former Frank Luptow “Black Panther” won the trophy dash after Thompson went wide on (the) number four corner and Crist managed to get around him to take the checker.

            It was in the feature that the accident took place.  Twelve cars (were) lined up and cruising, waiting for the green flag, going into the first turn, pandemonium broke loose.  Manning was riding outside third row and Dave Lynn3 (was on the) pole third row.  No one seems to know just what did happen.  Some think that he thought he was at the corner and turned driving over Lynn and both of them went off of the track and broadside into some cattle chutes.

            After the dust cleared and the ambulance was at the scene, Lynn was out of his car and OK but Manning’s No. 19 was about four feet off of the ground and on top of a pile of lumber, but was pinned in his car and was unconscious.  Lynn’s car was badly damaged.

            At this writing, a phone call from Ferney Perry of Oakley reveals that Manning has been moved to St. Anthony’s hospital in Hays, Kansas and is under the care of a specialist.  He is suffering from a broken neck, collar bone, three ribs pulled loose from his spine, and two holes have been drilled in his head to replace bone.  He is paralyzed from the chest up, however his left arm is not paralyzed.  An operation was performed and his condition is listed as critical with a 50-50 chance of not being paralyzed if he survives.  He needs moral support so let’s all send him a card.

 

The following account of this incident was written by Dave Russell in 2004:

“Bud (Manning) and my dad (T. E. Russell) tangled wheels on the front stretch and both of them shot off into the infield.  My dad was heading straight for the cattle chutes which were made of logs the size of telephone poles.  My dad was six foot four inches tall, and of course the cars didn't have roll cages in the fifties, so he set well above the dash fully exposed.  He knew if he hit the chute, the second rail would hit him right in the chest so somehow he managed to get down under the steering wheel with his lap belt still on.

“When the car stopped, the rail of the chute had taken the top off of the steering wheel and my dad, being so tall, was stuck under the steering wheel.  When Curt (Stockwell) and all of the other people got to the car, all they could see was my dad’s back sticking out from under the dash.  They all started plucking and stuff because they thought his head had been cut off.  Finally, he got enough air to say "Hey, get me out of here," and after they removed the steering wheel, he walked away.”

 

This is the #19 Brown Motor Co. Chrysler sprint car that Bud Manning was driving when he was so severally injured at Oakley.  Left to right are Joe Brown, Bud Manning, Don Brown and Leslie Brown.  Click your mouse on the photo above to see another photo of Manning standing beside this car – Pattie Brown collection   

 

The #32 Curt Stockwell owned Nash-Healey champ car.  If you recognize the driver in this photo, please contact Bob Lawrence.  Click your mouse on the photo above to see more photos of this champ car – Tommy Madison collection

Larry Crist of Garden City, Kansas is shown here in his Black Panther Hal.  Crist won the trophy dash on this night at Oakley – Tommy Madison collection

 

 

Lloyd Walinder of Oberlin, Kansas is shown here at Oakley in his Chevrolet sprint car – Mark Walinder collection

 

 

 

1 It is not known why Dave Carter (1928-1955) of Stockton, California used the alias “Johnny Thompson” when he drove the Hanestad Offy #63 at Oakley.

 

2 Lawrence Dean “Larry“ Crist (1931-1952) of Garden City, Kansas was fatally injured on August 22, 1952 in a racing accident at Royal Gorge Speedway at Canon City, Colorado.  That was just one month after he competed in this race at Oakley, Kansas.  Crist is buried in Valley View Cemetery in Garden City, Kansas.

 

3 Thornton Elgie “T. E.” Russell (1918-1967) of Denver, Colorado held an AAA racing license so he occasionally drove under the aliases “David Linn” and “David Lynn” which were derived from a combination of the names of his son, David, and his daughter, Ruth Lynn.

 

4 Henry Walter “Hank” Hanestad (1917-1975) was from Alameda, California.

 

5 Donald Healey of the Donald Healey Motor Company (later Austin-Healey) of Warwick, England built a Nash powered racing car and entered it in the “24 Hours of LeMans” sports car race in 1950 finishing fourth.  The Nash Motor Company was so impressed with the effort that they developed plans for a Nash-Healey sports car utilizing a modified 255 horsepower, 6-cylinder Nash Ambassador engine of 234.8-cubic inch displacement (3847 c.c.) with an 8:1 compression aluminum head, 7-main-bearing crankshaft, intake manifold sealed-in-head, and two Skinner’s Union side-draft carburetors.

     The Nash-Healey sports car never went into production but Curtis C. “Curt” Stockwell (1904-1974) of Denver, Colorado was able to obtain one of the rare Nash-Healey engines and the backing of the Nash Motor Company for an AAA championship car that he owned.  The car was driven by T. E. Russell.  When not racing the car up Pike’s Peak, the pair passed it off as a sprint car at UMCA and IMCA sprint car events in Kansas and Nebraska.  Those sanctioning bodies reportedly knew of the deception but were short on legitimate entries and allowed the car to compete.  The Nash-Healey was successfully able to compete with the Offenhauser sprint cars that were dominant at the time.

 

6 Newspaper accounts say this engine was an Offenhauser but it appears to have been a HAL instead.

 

 

 

 

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