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The racers have been working hard all winter, either building new cars or reworking last year’s machine, so before they suffer the dents and wheel marks of the short track wars they put them on display at Lang’s Chevrolet in Beavercreek.
“This is our 21st year here at Lang’s, and we have about 25 local race cars and another 16 or so of the vintage cars,” explained Dayton Auto Race Fan Club president Bobby Sparks.
“All of the money we raise goes to help provide Christmas gifts for the needy kids in Greene County,” Sparks said. “We couldn’t do this without the support of Steve Sexton, Dennis Cook and the folks here at Lang’s. They close their service department for two days, move everything out, then they hand mop the floor and clean everything for us so we can put on this show. And then, they give us a check for $500 to get the fundraiser started. That’s pretty special.”
The DARF Race Cars for Kids car show is in its 39th year, and it’s always a sign that the racing season in the Midwest is about to begin. The main shop area at Lang’s held a variety of cars; late model stocks, modifieds, sprint cars, midgets and go-karts. In the back area, the vintage cars were on display, keeping the history and heritage of short track racing alive, and giving the spectators a glimpse into the rough and dangerous past of racing.
“You look at these old cars, with no seat belt, no roll bar, and a little helmet that really isn’t that strong, and you marvel at how brave those drivers were,” explained Bob Moore. The New Carlisle resident had his 1934 McDowell Special sprint car on display, parked right next to the legendary Riverside Tire Special sprint car that Everett Saylor drove to the 1937 CSRA sprint car championship for Xenia mechanic and builder Mutt Anderson. Anderson passed away last year, as did Dick Lang, Art Henry, Clarence Lewber, Tom Smith, Carl Day and Chick Hale, and the vintage display was dedicated in their memory.
Probably the most unique car shown was a midget racecar built by the late Al Watts of Beavercreek. In 1973, long time racecar builder Watts saw the future of the rear engine cars, and proceeded to construct a rear engine midget. The common midget car is front engined, using a 4-cylinder, 166-cubic inch, normally aspirated engine. The wheel base is no longer than 76 inches, the car is about 10 feet long, just under five feet high and weighs about 900 lbs.
To make a contribution to the Race Cars for Kids program, send a check to the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club, PO Box 641, Dayton, OH 45401, marked to the attention of Race Cars for Kids.