8/5/2023 0 Comments Drag strip near me in illinois![]() ![]() I visited their original shop in Burbank, Ca.when I had no personal contact with him since the early '50s, but a friend (recently deceased) knew him well, relayed to me that he was active and very successful in drag races at local tracks until the time of his death. Palmer Lazurus passed away about a year ago. Not too many of us early gearheads around in good health, so I decided to come out and stir the pot. Gave up drag racing after the '55 World Series at Lawrenceville, Il.Sold my sprint car in '59 and went "cold Turkey" - haven't been to any kind of race since. You can view some rough home movie footage of me, my pit crew, and my blown Caddy powered rail taken at the strip in '52 - didn't know this existed. ![]() In '48 I went to4 wheels before I killed myself on cycles.Became the holder of the top speed recorded in 1952 at Half Day. Harley knucklehead when Andy Granatelli got up on a milk crate behind the building to announce that he had just cut a deal to race roadsters (no coupes) on Sunday evenings at Soldier Field - Hurricane Racing Assoc. I was a regular there during the late 40"s and 50"s.In the spring of 47 I was there one evening riding my hot 61+ cu.in. We ran wit different clicks, he hung out with the Chapman brothers (Bob & Jim) who had a peanut stand near my old haunt, Snow White drive-in in Lincolnwood. I street dragged with him with my "41 Caddy coupe back 1950-51. You are 100% correct regarding Palmer Lazurus and his "50 Olds coupe. Just went on line for the first time 2 days ago and not too sharp at it yet. I probably have more photos and info on Halfday and the Granatelli's (Joe, Andy & Vince) than anyone alive. In recent years I have acquired many Halfday photos, some of which are now in Don Garlitz Museum in Fla. Andy had me go on TV and Radio to promote the strip. Top speed was recorded with the body on ( M ) - only 4 bolts had to be attached. I ran it in 2 classes - roadster ( M ) and rail ( N ). flathead Cadillac V.8 with a chain driven WW II landing craft 671 GMC supercharger running on straight methanol. I was there every Sunday it ran and held the 1952 season record speed (125 mph ) driving an old track roadster ( 93" W.B. Now part of it is used as an athletic field for the local high school. touch-landing strip used by Glenview Naval Air Station located in the woods of the former town of Halfday, it is now Vernon Hills. Here's the scoop on Halfday Speedway - the brainchild of the late automotive promoter Andy Granatelli ( Grancor ). Would love hearing from you guys who read this and can relate !!! I think I have a couple pics from the 1949 - 1950 days at Half Day - take care everyone and remember the good old days :) They had I believe a '32 white chopped and channeled souped up coupe for sale - parked in front of their speed shop on the north side of Chicago - Leo Grancor was the shop's name or maybe just Grancor ? ANyway I wanted to buy the car but couldn't come up with the money - around $1,600 was what they wanted. I met I think it was Andy or Leo Granatelli a few years later. I was around 15 then - got back on the bike (still damaged but barely driveable) and got on the start line to make another run and the small crowd started clapping and shouting YEAH YEAH !! I went down the track slowly laughing all the way. Anyway, I got all patched up with a big bandage around my waist and taken back to the strip by the ambulance. They took me to - can't remember the hospital right now, but it was near Half Day. whoever was there working the drag strip called for the ambulance that was parked at the end of the strip to come get me - it was an old green Packard ambulance - when they were putting me in it, they first had to remove around 10 tires and a bunch of tool boxes so they could get the stretcher with me on it in the back. I flipped the bike one time coming off the line and bruised my right side pretty bad - the bike handlebars and tank were messed up. ![]() Sure I remember Half Day drag strip - I drag raced a 1949 Vincent Rapide - friend of mine - Palmer Lazurus ran one the fastest cars back around 1950 - it was I think a 50 Olds coupe - called the Grey Ghost because it was in grey primer - he would turn around 99 to 101. Stumbled across this site and really enjoy reading what's said. ![]()
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