The Ford Barn

RockHillWill · 11-26-2013, 09:35 AM

Not exactly pertinent to this site, but in the mid '80's one of the more helpful sponsors that I was privileged to have during my racing career was the Douglas and Sons Trucking Company in Statesville, N.C. who provided me with the truck to pull my race trailer to the races with. A company that was doing research on this style of racing contacted me to get permission to use some of my pictures, drawings, etc. of this truck that I built the independant front suspension for.

The Douglas and Sons folks asked me to come to their shop and help them with the handling on their Big Rig, that they were racing at that time, and we settled on one of my layouts that made the first independent front suspension that was put under one of these trucks. That research company sent me back a link to show the truck in one of its early races after putting the independent front suspension underneath it. This truck, with Bob Lashley driving, went on to win a number of races with this design front suspension. It is the brown truck #21 at the FRONT of the field

It is clear to see that he did not have the most powerful motor, but made up all his lead in the turns, specifically coming off the corners. You can see that 'ol Cummins belch diesel smoke when he has his foot on the 'loud' pedal, and if you look closely the left front wheel comes off the ground when others are OFF the pedal. I LOVED that truck, and still have a picture of it in my shop.

Not exactly relative to this site, but I wanted to share it with some of you that know me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC585mCtFw0

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-26-2013, 11:14 AM

Here is a "still" picture of Will's truck!

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-26-2013, 11:16 AM

...and one to chuckle at with ya on 'Throw-back Tuesday'!! <nice legs there Sir>

RockHillWill · 11-26-2013, 01:28 PM

Yeh! Thanks, pal, I 'owe' you!!!

FL&WVMIKE · 11-26-2013, 01:37 PM

The race track was not actually in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, just outside of Parkersburg.
I spent many nights there at motorcycle flat track races. GOOD TIMES !!
MIKE

Ross/Kzoo · 11-26-2013, 01:57 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Was safety the reason that we don't see those truck races anymore?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-26-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockHillWill

Yeh! Thanks, pal, I 'owe' you!!!

Not problem Buddy, ...I'm always here to help promote you in any way possible!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross/Kzoo

Was safety the reason that we don't see those truck races anymore?

Their popularity left about as quick as they came didn't it, ...and I think it had more to do with the destruction of the track (-not the dirt or asphalt but the walls/barriers) and the promotion of them. Kinda like School Bus Races or Trailer Races. Fun to watch every now & then.

wrndln · 11-26-2013, 06:27 PM

Will, is that actually you in the shorts? Somehow you have to get even with Brent for posting the picture!
Rusty Nelson

RockHillWill · 11-26-2013, 07:41 PM

Those were 'the 'good 'ol days', Rusty. That lady was runner up to 'Miss Pensylvania' at some point. She followed me home and I married her. I could also change a right front tire in 6.7 seconds. (on a stock car, not the truck). "The times, they are a changin'".

QGolden · 11-26-2013, 09:57 PM

Hey Will. Great Job! Nice racing footage too, got my heart pumpin. I remember when Truck a Racing was popular. For a while in the 70's folks was racing all kind of vehicles.

Always nice to se what hobbies folks have, so many people have done great things in the past.

gweilbaker · 11-27-2013, 06:26 PM

[QUOTE=RockHillWill;773222]Those were 'the 'good 'ol days', Rusty. That lady was runner up to 'Miss Pensylvania' at some point. She followed me home and I married her. "

Sweet

good on ya

That's what it is all about!

Ross/Kzoo · 11-27-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockHillWill

Those were 'the 'good 'ol days', Rusty. That lady was runner up to 'Miss Pensylvania' at some point. She followed me home and I married her. I could also change a right front tire in 6.7 seconds. (on a stock car, not the truck). "The times, they are a changin'".

The other winners, I'm sure, weren't as lucky.

glenn in camino · 11-27-2013, 08:16 PM

WOW! Some guys know how to have fun.

ford3 · 11-27-2013, 08:52 PM

i dont care what it is, if it has a motor in it and its raced its cool

11-26-2013, 09:35 AM	#1
RockHillWill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rock Hill, S.C. Posts: 985	Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Not exactly pertinent to this site, but in the mid '80's one of the more helpful sponsors that I was privileged to have during my racing career was the Douglas and Sons Trucking Company in Statesville, N.C. who provided me with the truck to pull my race trailer to the races with. A company that was doing research on this style of racing contacted me to get permission to use some of my pictures, drawings, etc. of this truck that I built the independant front suspension for. The Douglas and Sons folks asked me to come to their shop and help them with the handling on their Big Rig, that they were racing at that time, and we settled on one of my layouts that made the first independent front suspension that was put under one of these trucks. That research company sent me back a link to show the truck in one of its early races after putting the independent front suspension underneath it. This truck, with Bob Lashley driving, went on to win a number of races with this design front suspension. It is the brown truck #21 at the FRONT of the field It is clear to see that he did not have the most powerful motor, but made up all his lead in the turns, specifically coming off the corners. You can see that 'ol Cummins belch diesel smoke when he has his foot on the 'loud' pedal, and if you look closely the left front wheel comes off the ground when others are OFF the pedal. I LOVED that truck, and still have a picture of it in my shop. Not exactly relative to this site, but I wanted to share it with some of you that know me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC585mCtFw0 __________________ Uncle Bud says "too soon old, too late smart!" Last edited by RockHillWill; 11-26-2013 at 09:42 AM.

11-26-2013, 11:16 AM	#3
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,973	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt ...and one to chuckle at with ya on 'Throw-back Tuesday'!! <nice legs there Sir> __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-26-2013, 01:28 PM	#4
RockHillWill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rock Hill, S.C. Posts: 985	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Yeh! Thanks, pal, I 'owe' you!!! __________________ Uncle Bud says "too soon old, too late smart!"

11-26-2013, 01:37 PM	#5
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,449	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt The race track was not actually in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, just outside of Parkersburg. I spent many nights there at motorcycle flat track races. GOOD TIMES !! MIKE

11-26-2013, 01:57 PM	#6
Ross/Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richland Mi. Posts: 1,172	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Was safety the reason that we don't see those truck races anymore?

11-26-2013, 06:27 PM	#8
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Will, is that actually you in the shorts? Somehow you have to get even with Brent for posting the picture! Rusty Nelson

11-26-2013, 07:41 PM	#9
RockHillWill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rock Hill, S.C. Posts: 985	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Those were 'the 'good 'ol days', Rusty. That lady was runner up to 'Miss Pensylvania' at some point. She followed me home and I married her. I could also change a right front tire in 6.7 seconds. (on a stock car, not the truck). "The times, they are a changin'". __________________ Uncle Bud says "too soon old, too late smart!"

11-26-2013, 09:57 PM	#10
QGolden Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 1,231	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt Hey Will. Great Job! Nice racing footage too, got my heart pumpin. I remember when Truck a Racing was popular. For a while in the 70's folks was racing all kind of vehicles. Always nice to se what hobbies folks have, so many people have done great things in the past. __________________ It's not what people think they know that will hurt them, it is what they think they know that aint so! -Mark Twain. It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.- Unknown

11-27-2013, 06:26 PM	#11
gweilbaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 793	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt [QUOTE=RockHillWill;773222]Those were 'the 'good 'ol days', Rusty. That lady was runner up to 'Miss Pensylvania' at some point. She followed me home and I married her. " Sweet good on ya That's what it is all about!

11-27-2013, 08:16 PM	#13
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt WOW! Some guys know how to have fun.

11-27-2013, 08:52 PM	#14
ford3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oroville calif. Posts: 1,453	Re: Not Model A, but Lots of Smoke and Dirt i dont care what it is, if it has a motor in it and its raced its cool