Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

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John kuehn
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Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by John kuehn » Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:22 pm

Here’s a neat early dirt track car in Central Texas along with some early cars in the background. I don’t think the racer is a Model K but it’s right along in that era. The poster says it’s around 1915 but ???
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TXGOAT2
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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:37 pm

That's a Fred Gildersleeve picture. Gildersleeve was a well-known pioneering photographer in the early 20th Century based in Waco, Texas. The photo was likely taken in the Waco area.

Search: " Fred Gildersleeve Waco Tx"


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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:40 pm

www.heartotexasspeedway.com › history
The Official Site of Heart O' Texas Speedway

"Dirt Track Racing in Waco dates back to 1916 at the ½ mile Texas Cotton Palace Fairgrounds Oval. Racing was held at the Cotton Palace Fair Grounds until the 1940's. Racing moved from the cotton palace fairgrounds to the suicide bowl when it was built in the 1940's."


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by Kevin Pharis » Sun Apr 16, 2023 3:27 pm

Whatever that car is… it sure performs well without the right front tire…!?! :shock:

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Rich Eagle
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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by Rich Eagle » Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:56 pm

I can only guess what the car might be. The Buicks in the first Indy 500, 1911, had a second tank like that. Perhaps others did too.
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John kuehn
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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by John kuehn » Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:03 pm

Whatever the car started out being it must have been a big car going by the front springs. It’s long gone by now. I was thinking it may have been a Winton but who knows for sure.


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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:17 pm

There is an auto racing museum in Waco. It's possible that some information could be found there, perhaps a captioned photo. I'm pretty sure that pic was taken at Waco.


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John kuehn
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Re: Early dirt track racer. What kind of car?

Post by John kuehn » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:09 pm

It was. There is a local site that’s dedicated to Waco history.

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