OLD CARS TO TAKE A SPIN FOR RACING LEGEND.Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer ROSAMOND - Old racers in old race cars will slide around Willow Springs Willow Springs may refer to:
Open cockpit dirt track racers from the 1930s to the 1960s will come to the track near Rosamond for the 13th annual Tribute to Walt James, who ran the California Roadster - later Racing - Association and built racetracks from Gardena to Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, , including the three-eighth mile oval used this weekend. ``It's a big gathering for all the old-timers, all of us guys in our 80s,'' said James, 82, a former Castaic resident who now lives in Acton. James won't be driving Saturday because he will be busy running a water truck and grader grooming the dirt track. On Sunday, he will be driving a 1948 Ford flathead V-8 powered sprint car, which he found in pieces and restored. ``I spent 10 years trying to find parts to it. It's pretty authentic, same stuff we used to run in the old days.'' The meet is sanctioned by the Western Racing Association, whose rules require drivers to be at least 35 years old and cars to be from before 1970, when sprint cars added safety roll cages. The average age of the drivers this weekend will be about 65, James said. James and one other driver are over 80. More than 70 cars from as far as Florida and Canada are expected, including classic Indianapolis-style roadsters, sprint cars, midgets and three-quarter midgets. James was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Iowa in 1993 after spending a lifetime working for the betterment bet·ter·ment n. 1. An improvement over what has been the case: financial betterment. 2. Law An improvement beyond normal upkeep and repair that adds to the value of real property. of open-wheel automobile racing automobile racing, sport in which specially designed or modified automobiles race on any of various courses. Automobile racing originated in France in 1894 and appeared in the United States the following year. . Besides being a driver, James took over the California Roadster Association and built it into a prestigious association that in the 1950s could boast that half the Indy 500 field was among its graduates. He was responsible for many safety features being required by the association, including roll cages, arm restraints and fire-retardant driver suits. During that time James built several racetracks, some that went the way of modern development. Among those were the Western and Ascot Ascot (ăs`kət), town, Windsor and Maidenhead, S central England. The famous horse races instituted by Queen Anne in 1711 are held annually in June on Ascot Heath. Ascot remains an important social and fashion event, attended by the royal family. speedways, both in Gardena, and the Whiteman Stadium in Pacoima. He built and managed the 600-acre Indian Dunes Motorcycle Park outside Valencia in the 1970s and 1980s. It was shut down in 1985, and the 27,000-home Newhall Ranch housing tract is planned there and on surrounding acreage. On Wednesday James was with Indy 500 winners Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones (born August 12, 1933 in Texarkana, Arkansas), is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car. and Jim Rathmann Jim Rathmann (born Richard Rathmann July 16 1928 from Alhambra, CA) is a former American race car driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1960. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series in the 1949-1950 and 1952-1963 seasons with 42 starts, including the and other racers at the National Hot Rod hot rod Automobile rebuilt or modified for high speed, fast acceleration, or sporty appearance. A wide range of automobiles may be called hot rods, including some of those used in drag racing as well as those used in recreational cruising. Association's Pomona museum to open a new exhibit on track roadsters. ``I outlived all the famous guys so they have to keep asking me,'' James joked about the museum event. The track opens today to early arrivals. There is no charge for overnight camping, but there are no water or sewer hookups for motor homes or other facilities. Saturday and Sunday pit passes are $15 each day, or $25 for both days. Children under age 8 are admitted free. Grandstand seating is limited, so organizers suggest that spectators bring chairs. Also featured during the weekend is a vintage car-parts swap meet swap meet n. An informal gathering for the barter or sale of used articles or handicrafts. . On Saturday evening at the track is a potluck meal. Everyone who attends must bring a dish to share. Willow Springs' oval track  It has been suggested that and be merged into this article or section. is located on 70th Street West north of Rosamond Boulevard, about five miles west of the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. . For information call (661) 269-2700, or (661) 713-1414 on Saturday and Sunday. Charles F. Bostwick, (661) 267-5742 chuck.bostwick(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color -- ran in AV and SAC editions only) Walt James, who ran the California Roadster Association and built racetracks from Gardena to Santa Clarita, is honored by an annual event near Rosamond. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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