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History of Marchbanks Speedway/Hanford Motor Speedway

RELATED STORIES: Read more about Marchbanks Speedway and Hanford Motor Speedway in my Marchbanks section, including the regularly updated "History of Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway."


 

Monday
May102010

Printcast version of Marchbanks stories now available

The Printcast version of my Marchbanks Speedway storiesI've created a Printcast version of my Marchbanks stories for those readers who prefer to read things in a more traditional "magazine" format. I'll create new editions as I add updates to my Marchbanks section. You can also sign up for free email alerts of future editions on the Printcasting.com site.

For those who aren't familiar with Printcasting, it's a simple way for everyday people to become magazine publishers in minutes by creating web-based and PDF publications (DISCLAIMER: I work closely with Printcasting on behalf of The Bakersfield Californian, which is an investor in Printcasting and its offshoot, FeedBrewer).

What's missing in the Printcast version of my Marchbanks stories are all the photos and hotlinks contained in the original stories. But it's still a great way to dive into what is a lot of information.

Let me know what you think.


RELATED STORIES: Read more about Marchbanks Speedway and Hanford Motor Speedway in my Marchbanks section, including this regularly updated "History of Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway."

Wednesday
Apr282010

Second death at Marchbanks/Hanford speedway

In my ongoing research into Marchbanks Speedway/Hanford Motor Speedway, I learned of a second death at the track, this one in 1956.

I previously documented the 1969 death of James "Red" Stainton. But according to Motorsport Memorial, there was a death at what was then known as Marchbanks Speedway 13 years earlier, during a "500-lap Little Indianapolis hardtop jalopy race" on May 29, 1956.

Motorsport Memorial reported that mechanic Arlen Smith, 22, died after a wheel flew off one of the race cars and hit him in the back.

The story also notes a second tire came off a different car in the same race, breaking the leg of a spectator near a concession stand.


RELATED STORIES: Read more about Marchbanks Speedway and Hanford Motor Speedway in my Marchbanks section, including this regularly updated "History of Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway."

Monday
Apr262010

March 1968 Champ Car race program

he $1 race program for the first of two 1968 Champ Car races at Hanford Motor Speedway features lots of photos of action taken during the inaugural USAC Champ Car race at the newly renovated track just months before.

The images capture the wide variety of chassis and technological ideas at play during those days.

A lot of the famous names from the 1967 race returned, with one notable addition: Danny Ongais making his Hanford Champ Car debut in a rear-engine Chevy V8. Ongais crashed during practice and did not start.

Here's a breakdown of the entries:

Click to read more ...