guy chachere

OK did the search on various phrases etc - came up empty handed. The Houston International Speedway, later known as the Houston International Raceway and then Houston International Dragway, or the "Freeway Dragstrip", as well as other various names in its lifetime, was built and opened in 1957. The Dragstrip was located on the east side of Interstate 45, south of Houston, near Dickinson, Texas. The current intersection is I-45 and 16th St (also FM 646). Land for the track was donated by the Fingers Furniture family. Grew up just up 45 from the drag strip Houston International Speedway, remember the commercial's? "Saturday !!, Saturday!! at Houston International Speedway!!!!" Being so close we had a lot of motor heads in the neighbor hood and school that would go there and race there. 72 thru about 75 I hooked up with Chris Gary and Joe Krupar and a fellow named Leonard Little - he actually held couple records from 60's with The Red Baron Falcon in AHA. We had a 71 Maverick with a long rod 289 we raced. Also there was Ted Austin and his brothers with 64 falcon delivery wagon the Whiskey Wagon along with several other guys from school and neighbor hood. We never got any pics of the Maverick (Red Baron IV) running there. If by chance there is someone out there that may have a pic of either the Red Baron or the Whiskey wagon would like to get a copy. Thanks in advance Pic below is me driving AHRA Winternationals 1973 Green Valley Raceway - Hurst/Smithfield Texas

Who is old enough to remember the Mykawa Train Explosion in Oct of 71? We lived on Bronson Street, behind the neighborhood was Fire Station 51, several of the fireman lived in our neighborhood, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Taylor. As kids we would hang out there playing dominoes, pool and listening to their stories. On the day of the explosion I was at the Bennett's house with Robert (oldest boy who went on to retire from the HFD), his mother was upset listening to radio, the big explosion had just happened. We knew 51 was on that call as most of HFD was. Robert was worried about his dad. We grabbed a Honda 90 bike and took off toward Telephone Road. When we go there it was closed and we could see the smoke from where we were. We took off parallel across to Telephone RD riding in the fields until we found a spot with no police and crossed over to the fields on the other side. We road toward the smoke having to jump barb wire fences with the bike until we rolled up on the site. Man it was like a war zone. All of a sudden we see Mr. B and Mr. Taylor walking past us - it was strange but one stopped and asked us what we were doing there. First thing we noticed was the back of their helmets were burned and melted to their big over coats. For some reason Mr. B turned and saw us, man he let us have it. Later he told us him and Taylor were walking away from the wreckage when the big explosion happened, the blast blew over their heads and blew them about 70 feet in the air. We shagged back on the bike and went home down Telephone to Alameda Genoa then home. Got some crazy looks from the cops when they stopped us, we told them where we were coming from and they let us go. We told Mrs. B not worry that Mr. B and Taylor were OK - when she asked how we knew, long silence then we told her we talked to them. She turned white and walked away. They never said anything again to us for going out there. On top of the list of crazy shit I had done.

We lived across the street from the Blumericks on Bronson street 57 to 61, remember him having his car at the house before a race, he had trophies all over his living room. In 68 we moved back on same street just farther down, I don't remember if he as still racing. His son Larry and daughter Andrea were about 4 years older than me. His second generation daughters were my younger brothers age and they went to school together. He was a really cool guy.

Hit the club scene pretty hard 71 to 79, especially during the foosball days, several clubs had tables. Here is an abbreviated list Uncle Sam's - Houston and Pasadena Orbit Room - Hobby area Nessadel - Pasadena Goldfarb Apartment clubs Willow Creek Cherry Hill (?) Napoleons Retreat (?) Dome Shadows The Cellar - Market Square The Turtle Club- Second Office Smuggler's Inn Rusty Bucket Diamond Back Arlington Square Club Was a disco club down street from Uncle Sam's in Pasadena - cannot remember name Yesterday Once More South of the Border or maybe On the Border - Hobby area These were the most frequented ones especially the Arlington Square Club with Wooden Leg cover band, was a target rich environment

It was across Gulf Freeway from the old Putt Putt golf course. I first went there in about 59 or 60 with my mother

Hey Don, Yep our family had all the trust in the world with Doc. Mom first brought me to see him when I was six at Southmore. He saw me thru the bad measles, chicken pox, appendectomy, double bi-lateral hernia, broken bones and a few stitches. Everyone has a darker side, unfortunately his came thru with some people. With us we saw the good side of him. He was extremely intelligent and would listen to you. In my book he was OK.