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Old-Timers Take To The Beach At Daytona

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Racing has been a staple at Daytona Beach for approximately a century and the pioneers raced on the beach itself until 1958. Although the pioneers are getting up there in age, they have fond memories of racing on the sand, even though their remembrances are embellished a bit. Since today’s fans know little about the history of beach racing, the old-timers and historians are working together to preserve its rich heritage.

Every February, old-time racers and their friends flock to Daytona Beach to relive the past and share stories with everyone within earshot. Through such groups as the Living Legends of Auto Racing, there’s an opportunity to band together and re-establish the identity for the brave veterans of the sport.

This year there seems to be an increased emphasis on the good old days. A few days ago, the Daytona International Speedway kicked off Speed Weeks by having 2011 Daytona 500 Trevor Bayne take a short ride on the beach in his winning Wood Brothers Ford.

A day later, additional functions were held in the town of Ponce Inlet, the site of the historic 4.1-mile combined sand and paved course that operated for some 11 years – from 1948 to 1958. While nothing is left of the old course, the North Turn Beach Bar & Grill marks the course’s north turn and the restaurant is a gathering place for the racers and the fans. Walking through the restaurant is educational, as its walls are adorned with hundreds of priceless photographs and other artifacts are displayed in showcases. Credit for the collection goes to restaurant owners, Walter and Rhonda Glosnak, who have been collecting memorabilia for years.

To further preserve the history of the old beach course, Volusia County and town of Ponce Inlet civic leaders unveiled plaques this week, pinpointing the location of the north and south turns of the fabled raceway. Drivers Ray Chaike and Russ Truelove are each depicted on a plaque, and they were on hand for the unveiling. Also, a commemorative flag pole was erected adjacent to the North Turn restaurant and for the dedication ceremony, legendary driver Richard Petty surprised onlookers when he dropped in for the flag-raising. The seven-time Daytona 500 winner greeted many of the old-time drivers and signed autographs for his adoring fans.

Also, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place near the north turn, and several old-time drivers helped cut the ribbon. As part of the weekend’s activities, the old timers participated in a vintage car parade that started and ended on the north end of the course. On a warm day, many onlookers gathered to witness the nostalgic parade on the Ponce Inlet roadway. While the racers would have enjoyed taking a run on the beach, the Ponce Inlet part of the beach is not open to vehicular traffic.

Among the old-timers on hand were Ray Fox, Truelove, Glen Wood, Chaike, Johnny Allen, Ralph Ligouri, Marvin Panch, Vicki Wood and Frankie Schneider, and they were thrilled with the attention they received.

Fox, 96, was the oldest participant and many others were in their mid-80s, but each sported an ear-to-ear grin as they exchanged pleasantries with each other and the fans, plus they eagerly wanted to discuss beach racing.

Said Fox, who starts off his day with a donut, “This is very exciting to be here, and my best memory of beach racing is going down the back-stretch and getting stuck in the sand before flipping over.” Even though he went on to race at Daytona International Speedway, he thought it was wrong to stop racing on the beach.

Even though Panch won the 1961 Daytona 500, he said racing on the beach was very special to him, and he enjoyed reminiscing about it. “Speed was the most important thing while handling wasn’t that important,” he noted. “At times, the turns felt like you were driving through a plowed field. Going up the beach, you drove close to the water where the sand was the hardest, but you had to watch for little swills of water that hadn’t gone out with the tide. Another thing you had to be concerned with was trying to get stopped at the end of course.”

Said Truelove, 87, who is depicted on one of the plaques, “This is a dream to be out here to see history preserved. For years, NASCAR didn’t give any attention to where it all started, but thanks to our historians that has changed, and we are trying to build on it.” He went to praise NASCAR founder Bill France for his effort in preserving racing when politicians wanted to ban it after the terrible LeMans accident in 1955.

Truelove resides in New England but brings his restored 1956 Mercury to Daytona annually. He raced for nearly a half century with time-off to raise a family, and he became famous (on U-tube) for surviving a series of vicious flips on the beach in 1956.

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Glen Wood said he’s had a fantastic year starting with his team’s victory in the Daytona 500, his induction into the HOF and having a street named for him in his hometown, Stuart, Va. “My election to the Hall of Fame means a lot to me, as not everyone gets into it,” he said. Discussing beach racing, Wood smiled and said, “I raced here eight times and won three sportsman races. The first one I ran in was in 1953 with 136 cars, and I finished seventh.”

Recalling his most vivid memory of racing on the sand, Wood said it was seeing the legendary Curtis Turner in action. “You could see him coming and when he went inside you, he was cross-wise and broad-sliding for maybe a quarter mile down the beach,” he said. “It was the most spectacular slide I have ever seen anyone make.”

Liguori, who raced twice on the beach, enjoyed seeing his many old friends, and he couldn’t wait to tell them about his grandson, who races open-wheel cars. “I own my grandson’s sprint cars, but I live in Tampa where I own a trailer park,” he said. ” Being here is so great, as I enjoy seeing everyone and when I think of some of the things we have been through, it is gratifying to see my friends, who seem to be so healthy.”

The stories flowed throughout Speed Weeks, and the old-timers seemed to thoroughly enjoy their outing. And they all pledged to return next year to renew their friendships and to do more bench-racing.

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