Al Blixt Auto Racing History

Howard Dauphin - Forgotten Champion

Howard Dauphin is apparently not as well remembered as some of the other driving champions of the 1930's and that's a shame.  He captured many midget and big car championships in Michigan and Ohio in the 1930's.  He was killed tragically in August, 1941 after an accident at Cleveland, Ohio.  Read on to find out more about this colorful and well-liked driver.  This feature includes the memories of Howard from his older son, Howard, Jr. who is now 79 but was 14 when his father died.

The notation on this print, written by my father, reads, "Howard Dauphin Killed at Cleveland Aug. 17-41.  My Friend - Ace."

The One and Only Curly Mills

  "The One and Only Curly Mills" is the caption written by my father on this photo.  Curly was a very popular driver on the West Coast and a real pioneer in midget racing.  He raced in Detroit beginning in 1935. For a photo of Curly in action and information about his life and death, read on.

Checkerboard Offy and Flash Photography

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.

Art Hartsfeld

Art Hartsfeld was a champion midget driver in the Detroit area and the midwest in the post-war years and a good friend of my father.  This photo offers a dramatic and unique perspective on car and driver.

I am still gathering biographical information on Art but read on to see what I have uncovered so far about him along with additional photos of this handsome and well-liked driver.

Henry Banks: Driver, Offical and..Movie Star?

Henry Banks in his #16 midget owned by Mike Caruso about 1939 at Motor City Speedway.

Henry began racing in 1932 and retired in 1954.  He won several championships including the 1941 ARDC Midget Championship in 1941 and the 1950 AAA National Championship.  He appeared at Indianapolis seven times as a starting or relief driver.  In 1959, he became the second Director of Competition for the fledgling United States Auto Club that replaced AAA as the primary national sancioning body in 1955.  But, read on to find out about Henry's brief career as a movie star.