The Ford V8-60 engine holds a special place in the history midget auto racing. Known as the "poor man's offy', the V8-60 offered a reliable power plant for cash-strapped young men with a passion to race. Ironically, the small size that made it ideal for midgets doomed the V8-60 as a passenger car engine and it was discontinued after only a few years. Still, V8-60s were in competition from 1937 until the 1950's. Read on to learn more about this "little engine that could".
Of all my father's auto racing friends, none made a bigger impression on me growing up than Dr. Vicente Alvarez. To the world, his contribution to racing was enormous as a photographer, journalist, historian and collector. For me personally, it is the memory of his warmth, grace and generous personality that abides. To hear more about this remarkable human being, read on.
This site has been up exactly six months on Christmas Day and I want to thank everyone who has written to say that they liked it. Many of you have added wonderful information about the people featured here. Others have been searching for information about your fathers or grandfathers who raced. I have treasured getting to know all of you and look forward to continuing our relationship in 2007. This is my dad's Christmas card from about 1938. To see other period cards from the racing fraternity, read on.
Johnny Ritter takes the legendary "checkerboard" Offy through the turn at Detroit's Motor City Speedway in 1937. This rare photo is connected to three stories. Read on to find out about the car, the driver and how the photo was made.
Continue reading "Checkerboard Offy and Flash Photography" »
Al (Ace) Blixt was involved in auto racing from the 1920's to the 1950's as a driver, car owner, photographer, writer and racing official.
As a reporter, photographer and columnist for the Illustrated Speedway News, he covered races throughout the region, including the Indianapolis 500. This site is devoted to his memory and to the history of racing in his era. Read on to learn more about Al (Ace) Blixt.
Photo Credit: George Vargo.
All written content and photos are copyright Al Blixt with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. Contents are not for reproduction, publication or sale. Photos on this site are low resolution scans. You are welcome to download web images for personal use only. High resolution prints are available for purchase. Please email me for more information.
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