2005 Playland Speedway Reunion

May 7, 2005

Local Legends

The Playland Speedway Reunion was held on SATURDAY May 7, 2005. at McGees in Council Bluffs.  

Door Prizes given away included: 

Bill Harm (talented artist and racer) gave away two beautiful framed paintings.   

100 I-80 Speedway race passes, thanks to the generosity of Jon Swartz.   Kim Elder of Finishline Auto Wash gave away about 20 free car washes and a hand car wash kit provided by his soap vendor.  Wes Franks of Quality One Construction gave away a $50 gift certificate to Home Depot.  Sam's Place in Crescent, Ia. gave away two chicken dinners. Main Street Cafe in Council Bluffs, gave a gift certificate and Dyno Don Lemley gave a $25 Cracker Barrel gift certificate. Napa Auto Parts contributed two car wax kits.  We also gave away five playlandspeedway.com T-Shirts. Everyone came away with something.    Nine T-shirts were bought via donation to the Chris Bauer medical fund. Thanks to all who supported the reunion. 

Attendees included:

Dave and Mary Hellerich (Arkansas), Stan Shinabarger, Scott Gillette, Rich and Roxy Franks, Kim Elder, Bob Matson, Glenn Robey, Don Lemley (Michigan), John Faris, Karl Gray, O.J Gay, Mel and Joanne Krueger, Brad Schiller, Roy Robertson, Jack Anderson, Paul Anderson, Wayne and Martha Long, Don Robinson, Don Doebelin, Jim Winchester, Elvin Heiman, Howard Koziol, Dave Franks, Bob Aldrich, Terry Muell, Kim Vanderloo, Larry Spahn, Bob Benton, Bart Hise (Lincoln),  Scott Knudsen, Jerry Cormelisan, Bob Klanecky, Stan Cisar Jr, Sonny Brown, Phil Heine, Ted Pafford, Ron Hoden, Dave Pafford, Russ Dilley, Ron Smith.  As usual, some of these guys had wives or sons and daughters (some grandkids) that didn't get signed in.

We had a great time and I got to hear lots of stories.  Ron Hoden cracked us up with his "half lap" Baker story and his experience driving a "voo-doo or hoo-doo wagon".  Sonny Brown shared his remembrance of the stockcar on the levee story (Prideaux).  Glenn Robey was kept real busy conversing, seems like everyone knows Glenn. Don Lemley shared his scrapbook which was very well organized.  Dave Hellerich brought a cd with photos from the old days, you should see his toilet go cart!  A few of the guys brought pictures and we got to show the awesome "in car" video that Don Ronk took in 1971.  I brought the coupe that Don built and raced at Playland.  After the reunion, I towed it to Don's to show him.  He looked her over real close and really enjoyed seeing it again.  Even with the changes that 40 years has wrought on the old coupe, he still found many familiar things on the car! I chatted with Don for over two hours about the good old days. Bob Benton (sorry if I got the name wrong) told me his friend found a Burdick coupe and is restoring it.

We took some pictures but only a few came out, they are too dark to scan.  I was a little indulgent and spent a lot more time talking to the guys and drinking beers this time and less time taking pics and such. I didn't even bring the scanner and forgot to turn on the camcorder! 

Thanks again to EVERYONE that contributes to the success of these reunions! 

We'll do it again next year.