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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area CARS, Car Clubs, Car Rental Agencies, Car Dealers, Drag Racing, Auto Shows, Speedways - click on image to view > July 1960 - Southeastern Drag News, Miami, Florida, published by the NHRA and Ernie Schorb
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JUL-1960 George W. Young and Gary Licko

July 1960 - Southeastern Drag News, Miami, Florida, published by the NHRA and Ernie Schorb

Miami, Florida


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Stewart Munroe 13-Sep-2021 12:43
Hello K Jones, my name is Stewart Munroe. son of Co Munroe of Munroe-Zeder. I have fond memories of Buddy Jones taking me ( I was in high School ) on several road trips throughout the Florida to race. I remember him as a kind, patient man who's was also a superb race mechanic. I can't remember a race he lost. Over the years I have searched for any news of him online with no success, until today, quite by accident. If this finds you, please let me know a little more about happened to Buddy since I last saw him.
Thanks, Stewart s2b2munroe@gmail.com
Guest 08-Jan-2017 05:42
Hi k jones , holler at me, mkoegel@wcc.net
Buddy Jones daughter04-Jul-2015 13:34

Buddy Jones was my dad and yes he campaigned for Monroe-Zeder and was a member of the Cabriolet Club. Mark Koeger I remember your dad's Sunoco station, my dad would go out of his way to fill up with gas there when we were kids. Now I know why, thanks! We also grew up hearing about his friend flip his car at the street drags. Dad told us how he "ran out of track" there once but when his friend flipped and was thrown my dad decided to leave racing not long afterwards. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
K Jones 04-Jul-2015 12:54
Buddy Jones was my dad and yes he campaigned for Monroe-Zeder and was a member of the Cabriolet Club. Mark Koeger I remember your dad's Sunoco station, my dad would go out of his way to fill up with gas there when we were kids. Now I know why, thanks! We also grew up hearing about his friend flip his car at the street drags. Dad told us how he "ran out of track" there once but when his friend flipped and was thrown my dad decided to leave racing not long afterwards. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
xcellerator14-Sep-2012 19:08
Vernon drove my grandfathers 32 blown altered. From what I've heard my entire life Vernon was the only guy with big enough balls to get the thing down the track. My father drove a 57 four door wagon called the xcellerator. The engine was built by Bob Fulp. We found the car in orlando about fifteen years ago and gave it a complete body off resto back to race spec. It was featured in the July 08 issue of super Chevy. Check it out...
Douglas Mathis 22-Jan-2012 02:47
My father Doyle and grandfather Ed (James) worked at Municipal Auto sales and he brought home some fast cars when I was little. Mr. Freemen was the owner . There was a race boat called the Mafia and I was told the Albrittons (Doris) owned a car named the freight train that broke the 200 mph back then that later went to Big Daddy a twin engine If anyone knows more I would like to know more. I went to the races at Hialeah and played baseball with Red Farmers nephew Randy at Westview Elementary. We use to frog gig off the Tamiami trail among either things
Guest 02-Nov-2011 18:52
Vernon Jones helped tune my fathers car which was a 62 ply fury sponsered by C&E Auto electric. Before that he raced a 59 plymouth with a 413 in it. It was a street car so he went for years with out a good driver licence. We went to his shop when he first moved behind the airport which may be the Medly area now. We were amazed by the number of hemi blocks lined up on the wall (15-20) and the pro stock cuda was off to the side. My father placed Vernons name on the scoop of his car for all of his help. he sold my father the clucth flite transmission because the prostocks were going to the lenco at the time. Vernon and my father were good friends.

Once at the track Vernon felt there was some hanky panky (cheating) going on. When my father came back to the pits Vernon told him to drive the car to the starting line, shut it off and park it. His friend (Nick named Yodi) encouraged him to listen to Vernon but my Father choose not to.

Once we went to the shop and Roy Hills car in Petty colors was there. Vernon and Bob (The Machinist at the time) were working on my father's new 440 at the time. Bob later called my father and told him to come get his engine and take it to Russ to complete.Bob went back to work at Russ auto. Bob when my father asked him why he just said it was to much going on at Vernons shop. About two months later we learned Vernon was killed. I never knew how or why. Everone just figured it must have been one more person he made mad.

I know with his help my fathers car went from 12:80s to 12:00s. The engine would run all day but the clutch flite tranny would only get about 4-5 runs
Suzi Jones 13-Oct-2011 21:35
I am suzi jones, the late Vernon jones' daughter. My brother & I are looking for any original owners of his cars and if they are still in existence. Any photos or race memrobila of my dad would be appreciated. Please contact me. 314 727-8463. Email watchinfo@aol.com. Thank you
VERNON JONES FRIEND 03-Oct-2011 12:27
HISTORY OF VERNON JONES CALLED AND EMAILED SUZI JONES N0N RECEPTIVE # OR EMAIL IS THIS FOR REAL?WOULD SOMEONE READ THE COMMENT FROM ME AND PLEASE GET IN TOUCH,MET VERNON IN 1954,HE DROVE HIS DADS 53 CHEV,THEN HE GOT A 55 2 DR,GREEN AND WHITE CHEV(6X 2 BARRELLS,NEXT WAS THE 59 IMPALA STARTED AS A 315 HP 3 SPEED ENDED UP WITH THE 4 SPEED AS SOON AS THEY WERE AVAILABLE,ALSO GOT NASCAR HEADS FROM STOCK CAR FRIENDS,BET YOU DID KNOW THAT !33 SUPER STOCK TROPHIES,CHEV WOULD NOT SPONSOR OR PARTICIPATE,SO HE SWITCHED TO FORD IN 1961,FROM THER IT WAS WEDGE PLYMOUTH AND HEMIS I HAD A 55 BLACK AND WHITE DELRAY COUPE,THEN A 57 GREEN 150 (4 SPEED OUT OF HIS IMPALA THAT HE SOLD ENDED UP IN THAT CAR(I AM SURE BECAUSE ME AND BUDDIES SToLE IT OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY IN SOUTH MIAMI 456 POSI WENT IN 62 409,ENGINE WENT IN 53 MERC.triend of 58 belair called the Ghost i think his name was Archie, would like to chat about the old times,
harry lester 03-Oct-2011 03:41
Suzie Jones,came back to miami to visit old friends Vernon and i were friends when he had 55 chev,6x2s, infamous 59 impala,unbeatable in superstock,went to fort meyers and outran the ford and set a track record.4 speed ended up in my 57 chev,motor ended up in 53 mercury have a great story about tht car,remember him finanley dialing in his 61 ford,and his wedge plymouth that out ran most of the hemis how can i contact him and Bill Hodge,Vernon was best man at my wedding,HARRY LESTER 803 587 3901 lesterharry33@gmail.com. will be in Miami untill tue please get in touch,left fla. in 1974
Suzi Jones 23-Sep-2011 14:22
Hi , I am Vernon Jones' daughter, My brother David Jones & I are very interested in knowing if anyone owns any of our father's originals cars. We would love to hear from you. It would be so meaningful to us. Please contact me Suzi .. at ( 314 ) 727-8473 or email watchinfo@aol.com ... Thank You
CHARLES MARTIN 21-Jun-2011 08:47
BUDDY JONES NOT VERNON JONES CAMPAIGNED THE MUNROE-ZEDER CAR. I KNEW BOTH OF THE JONSES VERY WELL. GREAT TIMES TO BE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE CABRIOLETS CAR CLUB.
Guest 06-Oct-2010 02:00
Vernon Jones was a hemi man. My father used to take us to hollywood where he raced his 59 plymouth. he later changed to a 62 plymouth belvedere. All I know is plymouth and dodge. He raced at masters field, and was at hollywood when it opened in 1966. The 62 was sponsered by C&E AUTO Eletric.The car my friend has is a great conversation peice and it is known by anyone that street raced or drag raced as being owned by Vernon Jones. My Father known by his last name(Ramsey) began makin\g and selling trailers with scrap metal he got from working at bethelham steel where he learned to weld. He did welding for all the local racers in our garage in the back yard in Liberty City/Brown Sub.
Mark Koegel 23-Sep-2010 03:51
Buddy Jones had the ss/ba .He would drive it up to my dad`s sunoco station on 79st and nw 17 ave. My dad let him use the lift to work on it. Vernon Jones had a store in back of the station he had a ford ss.
George Young 05-Feb-2010 17:56
Yes, there will be another Masters Field reunion in Deland. The date was moved from July to November. For more info, contact Gary Licko at 305 233 1062.
Guest 05-Feb-2010 02:43
Correction, I happen to know a friend who has the Vernon Jones car. Still has a hemi and the aluiminum front end. You should hear the stories he has to listen to when he brings up the name Vernon Jones.
guest 05-Feb-2010 02:38
I happen to know a friend who owns the Vernon Pones car. You have to hear the story of how he came across it. Still has a hemi and the aluiminum front end. You should hear the soiries he get when he brings up the name Vernon Jones.
Jan 23-Jan-2010 16:59
Does anyone out there remember why James Karabasz named his car "Congo Foo"? Jim is my brother-in-law and won't tell me. The curiosity is killing me.
Guest 31-Aug-2009 17:23
Guest do you know if they will have another Miami racers reunion in Deland.
Don Boyd10-Aug-2009 01:47
Eileen, indeed you were there and I thank you for writing in and providing us with all of that great information about your dad.

Don
Eileen Fitzgibbons 09-Aug-2009 21:18
My Father, John Fitzgibbons was the owner/operator of Medley Speedway, later called Palmetto Speedway, Hollywood Speedway and West Palm Beach Speedway in the 1950's and 60's. I went to all the races when I was a kid living in Miami Springs. His tracks were the first NASCAR tracks in South Florida, and worked with Bill France. I was in Bill France's private box with my Father at Daytona Speedway on opening day. Red Farmer was sponsered by my Dad, and was racing that day. Dude....I WAS THERE!
Guest 05-Aug-2009 08:57
You're right Pat. Sid Kirk. I believe he was a heavy equipment operator. My good friend,O.S. Brannon also has a '64 Plymouth 383 that ran against Siud but was a stick shift and run B/S rather than B/SA. O.S. is the one that put on the Miami /Racer's Reunion in Deland last month. O.S. and his son still race.
Bobby Zlatkin
Pat Stajdel 27-Jul-2009 20:29
The driver of the White Tornodo was Sid Kirk, a close friend of mine. BTW his engine was built by Vernon Jones. I was active as a mechanic for a 1964 Ford Falcon called Congo Foo II which was a consistent winner in J/Stock. I have many movie clips of races of White Tornado, Congo Foo II, Ramchargers, Swamp Rat driven by Connie Kalita, and many more rail and coupes that raced at a NHRA reginonal meet in Valkrie Fl. Although I grew in Miami, I now live in Port Orange, Fl and just realized that I missed a Master Field Reunion that was held in Deland Fl on Jul 11, 2009.
Charlie Wolff 26-May-2009 13:56
I raced our family 55 Ford around 1958. It seems to me sorta on the west side of the Field heading north. Back then the fastest thing was the Miami Elevator Dragster running in the low 11;s and about 130 mph. Olie Olson ran a Willies with a small block Chevy .
Later in about 1965/6, I ran ran a 64 Fuleie Vette is "Street Drags" held in the afternoons mid week.
When we ran the Streed Drags it was farther to the east and went from south to north. I was there when Vernon Jones flipped the Gables Coin Shop 65- 396 CI vette at 119 MPH as he went through the lights. It completely destroyed the Vette. The engine was completely ripped out of the car and almost nothing was left. Vernon weighing about 250 lbs ripped the seatbelts out and was thrown from the car saving his life. He got up and walked away. He picked pee gravel out of his arms for months.
Al Zangenberg 13-Mar-2009 02:59
I just remembered that Bob Gittleman's '57 Chevy - 210 wagon had a 2-4 bbl equipped 283. I believe that would be the 270/283. F/Stock was correct.
Al Zangenberg 03-Jan-2009 01:38
Just realized the drawing of the guy in the '32 roadster on the cover of "Southeastern Drag News" - looks suspiciously identical to Hot Rod Magazine's old cartoon character "Stroker McGurk!" Anyone remember him?...Sure you do!!!
Al Zangenberg 03-Jan-2009 01:30
If indeed memeory serves me correctly, Master's Field used old military searchlight generators, to light the track at night as late as 1964. They used a "RED/GREEN" starting light for the dragstrip. Then they chahged to the Chrondek Xmas Tree. I do believe you raced in a "southernly" direction, the way the 1/4 mile was set-up then. Perhaps in late '64, or early '65, the track was moved to either another airstrip section, or they reversed the direction.

In 1964 Monroe Zeder Chrysler Plymouth sponsored a SS/AA 426 Plymouth. I recall "Vernon Jones" SS Plymouth. There was a white '64 Plymouth called "The White Tornado." Gittleman was campaigning a 1957 4-dr. Chevrolet 210 wagon, with a 4-speed, running in F/S. Protested often, as it consistently ran faster than cars in C, D, & E Stock. IIRC, NHRA declared the car illegal for stock class, as no 1957 Chevrolets (other than Corvettes), had 4-speeds). I can't recall if his car had a F.I. unit equipped 283. I remember some people stating no '57 wagon left the factory with an F.I. 283. Possible...YES! 4-speed...? I don't think so!
I remmember too - a black 1960 Chevrolet from '64 called "Running Bear."
I saw a '64 Ford Thunderbolt race there, but can't recall the name. Also a beautiful 1932 Ford 3-window, with a 426 wedge, that ran in the 12's. All the SS/A, & SS/AA cars were in the low 12's then. That was on 7-inch slicks, as NHRA limited stock class tire size to that back then!!!
I didn't know anyone from that Dade County area, other than Dave Smith, who worked at Crane Cams, & had a Chevy powered rail. Thanks for the memories guys, & gals!!!
Great memories...unfortunately gone forever!
Al Zangenberg 17-May-2008 06:00
Masters Field Drag Strip, held a Florida State Championship Meet in October, 1965. This was to be the last racing there, as Miami Dade's North Campus was expanding. I ran C/Stock, with a 1965 Plymouth Satellite, 383/4-speed. Didn't have to run the G.T.O.'s (they were B/Stock). Other 1965 Plymouth Belvedere I's & II's (with 383's), ran B/Stock & B/SA. The Satellite was just a bit heavier, so it fell into the very top of C/Stock. Great for me, as I only had to run older 383 Mopars, & 389 Pontiac Catalina's, & Bonneville's, etc. I won the State Championship that Oct. Sunday. This was N.H.R.A. Drag Racing, with the classes set-up by the "HorsePower-into-Weight" Ratio. I worked at Crane Cams/Crane Engineering in '64, & '65. They were still located on Dixie Hwy.-in North Miami Bch. They moved to Hallandale, Fl location in 1966. A co-worker, & I had identical Black/Gold 1965 383 Satellite's, with the exception that mine was a 4-spd. & his an automatic. He won C/SA, & went on to win "Little Eliminator." Remember-in 1965 West Palm Beach Intl. Raceway, on S.R. 710 "Bee-Line Hwy" (now Moroso), was brand new in 1965. The Miami Hollywood Drag Strip on S.R. 820 Hollywood Blvd, broke-ground in 1966.
Pokey 09-May-2008 19:46
Pokey

Louis, yes Medley and Palmetto were the same track. I reaced Go Karts there, Hialeah (with a lake in the middle) and Terrys kart tracks in the early 60's. We were also associated with the Crigers that ran a stock car (M-1), driven by Paul Percel at medley, hialeah, key west and other local tracks in the middle 50s. Medley was unique with the railings that were make from railroad tracks, when the cars hit them, the cars lost. I raced go karts there with Pete Michel (from michel's raceway), Corkey and Penny Stamper, Bobby Allen, CB Smithey, Billy and Jeff Hutchins, Billy and Sandy Winchester, Ricky Guest, Merle Thayer, Donnie Mitchell, and many others.
Ralph West 30-Mar-2008 04:56
I was also a member of the Road Rebels around 1963-64 era. I remember getting to the track early to set up the cones for the staging lanes, inspection area and the tree / photo cells. I was new in the club so I was assigned a lot of grunt work, but that was fine with me. I learned a lot and even raced my 1955 Chrysler Windsor.
Rocky, I don't recall you but I am sure you helped teach me the ropes out at the strip. Did Bobby Testa have the Fairlane with the 289 HiPo or was that someone else? Do you remember the Silver Corvette called Satins Pace?

guest 23-Mar-2008 18:34
Hi Lois, JD is exactly right. I grew up in the Hialeah and Miami Springs area and went to Jackson High... I raced at Medley and at Hialeah speedway with the Allisons, Red Farmer, and many others. We raced at Medley on Friday nites and at Hialeah on Saturday nite and if we had anything left we often went up to West Palm on Sunday afternoon. You are right again in that both tracks were very close to each other... you just couldn't get across the river unless you went back to the Circle and crossed the bridge from one town to the other. I recall that there was only one bridge for a time and it was quite a deal to see the builders float the second bridge up the river and into place so that the traffic could pass from 54th st West into the Springs and around the back of the Circle Theater and coctail lounge heading eastward into Hialeah. I graduated from Jackson in 58.
Rocky 25-Jan-2008 20:30
Being I was in the Road Rebels hot Rod Club from 1958 to 1969, I remember drag racing at Masters Field very well. Our job was running the starting line.
Before we aquired the christmas Tree lights, we used the two flag system.
We were sponsored by Sheriff Kelly of the Miami Sheriffs Police Dept.
When we had the annual State champian races, our top draw was none other then Don (Big Daddy) Garlits. Some of us would have breakfast with him in the morning.
Those were really good days and I miss them.
In closing I just want to mention that two of my good buddies, Tony Weilbacher and Bobby Testa are no longer with us...like many others I'm sure, have gone to that drag strip in the sky.....
Rocky
Phillip V 08-Jan-2008 20:34
Yes,there were drag races at Masters Field. We also used to ride our go carts around the different runways whenever we had the chance. Opa Locka was a the Coast Guard station I believe and there were also several gun ranges in the area.
JD 22-Oct-2007 18:24
Hi Louis, You might be thinking of the old Medley Speedway, maybe at one time it was called Palmetto Raceway, I'm not sure. The Medley Speedway was west of Red Road right around where NW 74th street cuts through to the Palmetto Expy, in that vicinity. I never been there because I wasn't born yet when Medley Speedway was running. I was told about it from a guy that used to own a junkyard over there that I use to frequent for parts. NASCAR drivers Bobby and Donnie Allison and Red Farmer and a few others use to race there before Hialeah Speedway opened up in 1954. I spent alot of time at Hialeah Speedway in the 70's. Thanks for mentioning Michel's Kartway, it jogged my memory. Me and a few friends saved up enough money one summer and bought a racing kart and we would race it there. We never really could compete, didn't have the money, but it was fun while it lasted.
Louis 15-Oct-2007 05:11
I see the name Palmetto Raceway on the flyer. When I was a kid my Dad was trying to get to Michelle's Kartway, while looking at the map, I noticed that there was a Palmetto Raceway. This raceway was strangely close to where Hialeah Speedway used to be. I know Hialeah Speedway always had that name, so it was never Palmetto. I have to assume that the Palmetto Raceway was a separate entity, that like Miami Hollywood Speedway Park, rode into the sunset never to be seen again.

Can anyone shed a light on this?
Carey Strickland 18-Sep-2007 00:43
My dad used to bring us up on the roof to watch the races at Master Field.We lived On 132 terr. &32nd ave.The races were every sunday My neghbors the Whitakers were to brothers that would race there.Never at Opalocka Airport. Johnny Whitaker took us and the Hardwicks to Hollywood sportatourium to see big daddy run,He went through the traps
backwards at over 120 m.p.h.SeeYa.
Guest 28-Jun-2007 16:01
Yes, I too saw Big Daddy drag race there.
Eddie Turman 24-Jun-2007 00:29
Myself and others used to drag race at the Opa Locka airport every sunday afternoon although they were not sactioned races, just a bunch of hot rodders having some fun, like the Crane brothers, Dave Smith, George Nelson, Joe Smith, and a bunch of guys from south beach. What great memories
Paul Ponte 22-Jun-2007 18:21
In 1963 I remember racing against a 1949 Ford with a V8 flatehead engine for a trophy. We ran in J class.I think I had at that time a 1959 Ford with a V8 450 interc epted engine. It was a car I bought at Municipal Auto Sales, and was a Border patrol card from Indiana, with outside light still attached to it. It was I think the old Amelia Earhart airport, and it was called Masters Field.My brother ran a 1962 Chevy Nova 400 and ran in N stock. {Never won} We use to go every Sunday. I won my race because the 1949 Ford lost his accelarator halfway down the track.He wanted to rerun the race but the judges said I didn"t have to. The next week I went into the Army, Aug.29,1963 End of story. Those were the good old days.
Guest 13-Jun-2007 15:16
Ernie Schorb brought organized drag racing to South Florida.
He was the first NHRA South East Division (now Div. 2) Director.
He was president of the Ramblers Road Club.
Now resides in Woodridge, VA.
Recently nominated to the NHRA Hall of Fame.
Amelia Earhart (in Hialeah) then Masters Field (before Dade Jr. College)
Never at the old Opa-Locka Airport (Although Amelia Earhart was just down the street)
Don Boyd05-Jun-2007 23:03
I don't believe drags were ever held at Opa-locka. It went from federal property to county property except for the area designated for the Coast Guard Air Station and was never really abandoned like Amelia Earhart and Masters Field. Don
Guest 05-Jun-2007 19:35
WASN'T THERE A DRAGSTRIP AT THE OLD OPA LOCKA AIRPORT? I THINK I SAW BIG DADDY DON GARLITS {?} RACE THERE IN THE SWAMP RAT (?) JUDIE