Idaho Racing News

IHRS 7th Annual Open House
March 20th 2010, it’s all about sharing a passion.
By Stan Fuller

Open house’s take a lot of work! I want to thank Steve and Randy Towery for once again opening the doors of Printcraft for our 7th annual Idaho Historical Racing Society’s open house. There was a slight cool breeze in the air, but the weather cooperated and we had a steady stream of vintage race fans all day. The parking lot was once again full of all types of vintage cars. This year we were privileged to have the Formula One racing plane, the Carbon Slipper. This plane has a history of wins at the Reno Air races. The plane is capable of speeds nearing 280 mph and was a great addition to our show. A special thanks to Sean Hackworth. Sean was instrumental in making the appearance of the plane possible.

About 400 people come through the doors for the open house. Check our website for this years photo’s. A special thanks to Tom Zumwalt for posting his pictures of all the cars that were on display. See them at http://www.ihrs.org I also want to thank TC Ellis, President of WIRA and Brian Calkins, our new IHRS president for their support.

Notable vintage oval track cars to this years show were many. Mel Aires from Kennewick Washington brought his restored “Oly Special” #81 blue roadster to the show. This was the car that Jerry Lungren drove at Meridian Speedway in the mid 1960’s. Also, the old #64 Bob Harris roadster from the mid 1960’s was on display. Rod Pumphrey of Rigby Idaho recently purchased this roadster from Dave Skyberg. Also, a big thanks to Alan Lane for bringing the beautiful yellow and silver #7 vintage sprint car. Cliff Barrett brought his two Jalopies, the white 1934 Chevy Coupe #28. It is a replica of the car that his father Ray Barrett drove. Also, the Hays Kramer 1935 # 18 red Ford Sedan was on display. I had the red #13 that my father Morrie “Fireball” Fuller drove. Jerry and Jim Malloy originally built this straight up in 1962.
The collection of vintage oval track pictures continues to grow. We appreciate all the fans that have brought their photos and scrapbook to Printcraft.
PS, A short historical note about the IHRS and how it all started. My name is Stan Fuller. I’m 57 years old. My childhood was filled watching my father drive racecars at Meridian Speedway and at the old Super Oval. My father, Morrie Fuller drove oval track cars for 28 years. He started his driving career in 1950, retiring in 1978. I raced go-karts as a teenager. I also drove a stock car from 1972 to 1975.

It was ten years ago that I first met Steve Towery. I heard he had a collection of vintage racing photos at his business. I found Steve to be the ultimate vintage race fan! I quickly found that we shared the same passion for the history of Meridian speedway. From 2000 to 2003 I made many trips over to Printcraft. In those years Steve and I would share photos and notes on the history of Meridian speedway. We often wondered if anyone else had this same interest. Late in 2003 I got a phone call from Joe Shull. Joe had a collection of photos of his uncle’s stock cars. His uncle is veteran stock car driver Bob Mitich. It was in the early spring of 2004 that the three of us decided to form a club, thus the Idaho Historical Racing Society was formed. In March of 2004 we held our first open house. Each year the open house has grown. We simply want to help preserve the history of the vintage cars and drivers who came before us. Thanks to all of you for your support. Watch our “fan page” on Facebook for our monthly meetings. Come join in the vintage fun. Stan Fuller