Racing in Tyrone has a large and checkered past, and two local residents are bringing the sights and sounds of racing to the Tyrone History Museum starting tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m. and continuing for a month.
This special speedway exhibit is the brainchild of the Tyrone Area Historical Society and is being headed up by Gary and Pat Griffith, who have volunteered their time and a collection of items to bring the history home to race fans.
“We thought of doing this during the Fred Waring exhibit, and we’ve been trying all summer to put it together. My husband raced at Peterson, and we just love the history,” said Pat Griffith.
Featured in the exhibit are rare photographs, race programs, trophies and other memorabilia from the golden days of racing at the Altoona Speedway, which opened in 1923 and closed during the great depression. From 1952 to 1960, it was re-built and known as the Altoona-Tyrone Speedway, attracting thousands of people weekly.
Its last incarnation was the Peterson Memorial Dragway, which remained open from 1966 through the mid 1970’s. The Altoona Speedway became one of the top speedways in the country, located on Route 220 near Tipton, where the New Pig factory now stands. It was known as the Indy of the East, and was 60 feet wide and one and a quarter miles long, and was made entirely of wood. Three million feet of straight grained yellow pine were selected to build the running surface.
One of the greatest drivers who raced at Tyrone was Wilbur Shaw, a three time winner of the Indianapolis 500. The fastest speed ever recorded on the wood surface was 138.62 miles per hour, set by Leon Duray in 1926. Automobile racers competed for big money on one great circuit which included other tracks in Indianapolis, Fresno, Miami, Kansas City, Atlantic City and here in Tyrone. Only three fatalities occurred during the track’s heyday. Howard Wilcox died in the first race ever held at the track. Joe Boyer was killed a year later, and in 1929, two weeks after winning the Indianapolis race, Ray Keech died in a six car crash while he was leading the race.
In 1935, the track was damaged by flood and when World War Two broke out, both the caretaker and owner were drafted, leaving the place at the mercy of vandals who stole everything.
The Tyrone Miniature Speedway was another popular spot on Sunday afternoons from 1946 to 1948. Large crowds gathered to watch the miniature race cars go around a fenced in oval track sitting just a few inches off the ground.
“It was a big thing on Sundays,” said Griffith.
The rare cars have become collectors items around the world, with one owned by J.R. Vanneman of Tyrone recently being sold on the E-bay auction site for $8,000.
On top of the great photographs, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia displayed at the exhibit, some rare items are being spotlighted. A jacket from the Peterson Memorial Dragway, A stock certificate from the Altoona-Tyrone Speedway, and a few pieces of the original wooden track, made into plaques.
During the month long exhibit, a special event will be held on Sunday, September 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. called “Stock Cars in the Railroad Park” featuring racing vehicles on display from Don Kimberling, Bud Garvey and Gary Griffith.
So gentleman, start your engines! And race to the Tyrone History Museum for this special month-long exhibit, when racing glory was king in the Tyrone area.
