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Racing then and now

This post is for a request made by Brandon Jordan

   He asked for my thoughts on decisions made 30 or so years ago that have affected the sport of racing today. Right off hand I can not think of anything done that long ago that has hurt the sport. But a lot of changes have been made to improve racing. 

   1.  Safety for the drivers has come a long way. When I started racing there were no $1000 drivers suits. Blue jeans and a t-shirt was the official race uniform. Some of the guys with a few more bucks wore button shirts with names and sponsors on them. I eventually got one of those shirts and white pants, that was my first racing uniform.

   There were no window nets, we did not even have them at I-70 for the first two years.

   There were no fuel cells when I started racing, just whatever fuel tank that came with the car. I blew one up welding a bracket on a 55 Chevy. I didn't know my uncle had put gas in it. Was laying on it when it exploded, knocked me about 25 feet across the shop and other than bruises and a burnt shirt no big deal.

   There were no racing wheels and racing axles back then. We welded a second bolt center over the wheel and then put gussets from the center to the edge. No possible way to balance them, not enough room for 2 lbs. of lead. Lots of cars wrecked due to broken wheels, and stock axles. The worst ride I took at old Lakeside was when a right rear axle broke and the 56 Chevy rolled 8 times.

   No racing seats, any bucket seat would do, no head rests, no side rests, just a seat and belts.

   No tear-offs, we just kept clawing the mud off of a plastic shield. Every once in a while had to stop and remove helmet after the race to return to pit stall because couldn't see through it in the darker pits.

   I could go on and on about safety but I think you get the idea. we as drivers are much safer now than we were 30 years ago.

   2. The race cars have advanced at an amazing rate. The race cars today are so high tech, a team and driver has so many more options to make the car faster. It takes a while to figure them out especially when it has been so long since I've had one. The old race cars that I won many races with in the late sixties would hardly make a good street stocker today. We had 4 springs and 4 shocks to make all of our chassis work. Drivers today would get a good laugh out of our cars of the past.

   One thing I don't like about the today cars is the small boxy drivers area. Who started that, we used to have full interiors and room to haul a crewman or to with you around in the pits. I think they are more dangerous to the driver in the event of a crash. I know, easier to work on and easier to build and lighter, but we all have to add weight to be legal, why not put a little bigger area for the driver to move around in.

   3. Drivers that I have met now-a days seem to have the same dreams and struggles that we had back then. Better and faster car, more funding to get the fast stuff, trying to find sponsors to keep racing, larger purses to race for, getting the tracks ready to race on, trying to race your best without messing up your fellow racers and keeping your ride in one piece, and the biggest dream of all WINNING.

   Remember guys, don't forget the fun part of racing, that is really what it is all about, the fun, and pride of saying I drive a race car. Be sure and take the time to be nice to the fans, without them we would be out of a job.

Terry Bivins #53 

Reader Comments

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Jan 20, 2007 06:38:05 PM by jfrey47

We have come a longgg way Terry. We get to work on the springs, shocks...and the rear-view mirror. When we're having fun, we get to change a fender and sometimes a door! Lol! I think you'd be right at home turning a wrench on it. The thing I enjoy most is the friendships I have made with the guys I want to beat every week. Room for the crew? Nah, I'd have much more fun making room in my truck to tote Brandon around in hot laps...He! He! He! Terry, thanks for all YOUV'E done for our sport! Joey Frey #47 Super Truck I-70 Speedway

Jan 21, 2007 08:40:44 PM by faletti

Hi Terry, Well I can't seem to find your email address, but you can reach me at faletti@aol.com. I appreciate your help. Your Monte Carlo was one of the nicest late models of the time. I saw you when you came up to Grundy County and Rockford in IL, and Capitol Speedway in WI, as well as at I-70. And keep the old stories coming!! Thanks again. Tom Faletti