I saw who might be the craziest Studebaker "hater" I have ever seen! I am writing this on halloween. We just got back from the South Bend Motor Speedway, they put on a demolition derby tonight, the "Halloween Crash-N-Bash." It was a really fun, but cold, evening. Except for one part of the show, the trailer race. For those of you who dont know what a trailer race is, it is a demolition type of race where junk cars or trucks get a junk trailer of any kind, usually decorate it with junk, like boats. And race with trailers attached to the car. You get disqualified if over 50% gets destroyed, or have mechanical failure, etc. Now heres where this involves Studebakers. As you probably guessed, a trailer race is a very destructive form of race for the car/truck and trailer. Well, some idiot used a 1960 Studebaker Champ pickup truck to pull his trailer in the race![:0][V]
[xx(][B)][?][}
] I just dont get it! Before the evenings events started, they had all the drivers bring the cars and trucks on the track for "Trick or treating", Im a little old for that, but I still went on to the track to look at this poor Champ. The underside was a little rusty, but not a danger to the frame. ALL of the sheet metal was PERFECT, not a dent anywhere. The doors glass and rear window were removed, but the front windshield was not only clean, but NO cracks. The grille was painted black, but still straight! He did change the engine to a big block chevy.[xx(] Changed the wheels. Point is, before he messed up a rare and valuable truck, it could have been a good project truck or, gee, I have been looking for a champ as a daily driver and all this idiot wants to do is smash it! So I went down and talked to the driver. He did not really impress me either. I introduced myself and said Im a big fan of Studebakers and literally a "Card carrian" member of the SDC. Didnt seem to phase him that the truck was valuable. Heres his quote: "Well, I got the piece of junk for $100 and I plan on smashing it all the way around the track!" Again:[xx(][V][}][B)][:0][?] After that I just went back to my seat and hoped he would pop a tire and get black flagged or something! Ok, fast forward to the race. It was a 20 lap race. Sure enough on lap 11 on turn 3, POP! Gone is his right front tire, black flagged!
And the best part is, it survived with no damage! He pulled onto the infield and got out. I didnt get his name, but he is from the South Bend area. If anybody could locate him and wants the truck, he would probably sell it for around $200 as he got it for $100. From what I could tell, it was the short box model and this one had a moon roof in the top. It dosent have a tailgate or rear fenders. I'm still in shock that somebody would run a vintage truck, regardless of make, in a trailer race![:0][?] Whats your thoughts?
Chris Dresbach
[xx(][B)][?][}] I just dont get it! Before the evenings events started, they had all the drivers bring the cars and trucks on the track for "Trick or treating", Im a little old for that, but I still went on to the track to look at this poor Champ. The underside was a little rusty, but not a danger to the frame. ALL of the sheet metal was PERFECT, not a dent anywhere. The doors glass and rear window were removed, but the front windshield was not only clean, but NO cracks. The grille was painted black, but still straight! He did change the engine to a big block chevy.[xx(] Changed the wheels. Point is, before he messed up a rare and valuable truck, it could have been a good project truck or, gee, I have been looking for a champ as a daily driver and all this idiot wants to do is smash it! So I went down and talked to the driver. He did not really impress me either. I introduced myself and said Im a big fan of Studebakers and literally a "Card carrian" member of the SDC. Didnt seem to phase him that the truck was valuable. Heres his quote: "Well, I got the piece of junk for $100 and I plan on smashing it all the way around the track!" Again:[xx(][V][}][B)][:0][?] After that I just went back to my seat and hoped he would pop a tire and get black flagged or something! Ok, fast forward to the race. It was a 20 lap race. Sure enough on lap 11 on turn 3, POP! Gone is his right front tire, black flagged! And the best part is, it survived with no damage! He pulled onto the infield and got out. I didnt get his name, but he is from the South Bend area. If anybody could locate him and wants the truck, he would probably sell it for around $200 as he got it for $100. From what I could tell, it was the short box model and this one had a moon roof in the top. It dosent have a tailgate or rear fenders. I'm still in shock that somebody would run a vintage truck, regardless of make, in a trailer race![:0][?] Whats your thoughts?Chris Dresbach
] Still, somebody should save it.
I know you were'nt soliciting this, Chris, but you are there... We aren't.
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