Review by Pete Vack
First came the Bahamas Speed Weeks (Veloce Publishing, 2006, second edition Dalton Watson, 2011), then Northeast American Sports Car Races, 1950-1959 (Veloce Publishing 2010) followed by the Mid Atlantic Sports Car Races, 1953-1962 (Dalton Watson, 2015), and now the amazingly prolific Terry O’Neil has completed his next stated goal, a two-volume work entitled The Golden Days of Thompson Speedway and Raceway 1945-1977. Together, Terry O’Neil’s books constitute a massive body of work, as well as a massive amount of work. (Links to all three reviews are below.)
On the surface, his books appear to be a simple compilation of race reports, results data and photos, but in reality, this is a herculean task. It would be one thing to imagine that the SCCA, the largest and longest lived sports car club in America had in its archives the results of the thousands of races they sanctioned in the 1950s and 60s; they do not and O’Neil had to research each and every event via sports car magazines, rare event programs (including the often sparse reports from the SCCA magazine the Sports Car) and local sources to come up with ‘the best obtainable version of the truth.’ We add that there were other clubs who sanctioned events, and with even less material available.
One might think that there was an official race or club photographer with consistent, professional images. There was not, and O’Neil had to find – and pay for use in a publication – thousands of photos from a wide variety of private collections and museums. The Thompson book alone has over 1100 images. Since O’Neil lives in Great Britain, he had to travel to the U.S. to do first-hand research at a number of museums, libraries, collections and must have practically lived at the IMRRC at Watkins Glen. At his cost, one might add.
And now, Thompson
Although not as well-known as other tracks in the Northeast, in 1945 Thompson witnessed the first gathering of ‘sports cars’ on the east coast, and played host to a large number of SCCA events over the next 20 years. The Thompson work is a microcosm of his book, Northeast American Sports Car Races; to some degree, O’Neil had already done the results and track reports for the majority of the SCCA events at Thompson and published them in that book. But while doing so he also realized that there was another story behind Thompson, and what’s more, the families that were involved in the creation and running of the Raceway had significant amount material and were willing to share documents, notes, and letters pertinent to both the construction of the track and the manifold problems that occurred trying to manage the business of running a racetrack facility. Plus, O’Neil took the story of Thompson back to its roots in 1939, and extended the coverage to the road racing track’s demise in 1977.
Thompson was conceived for oval racing, which was always exciting for the fans. Here George Cavana goes end-over end-on May 11, 1941.
Note that there is often confusion about Thompson Speedway and Thompson Raceway; the facility ran separate events, sanctioned by several clubs, and played host to Midgets and “Big Cars” on the oval sections and sports car races, most via the SCCA, at the road circuit called Thompson Raceway. O’Neil concentrates on the sports car events while acknowledging the Midgets and Sprint car element.
George Weaver
George Weaver was a very familiar character whose exploits with his V8RI Maserati are well known. But few knew that he was the one who established Thompson Raceway as a road racing circuit and managed the facility from 1952 to 1967. With the help of his daughter Valerie Weaver Clark, O’Neil tells the story of this remarkable man.
George Weaver was known for his success with the Pre-War Maserati V8RI. Maintaining the Maserati may well have been easier than running a race facility
Weaver, along with the Strategic Air Command under General Curtis Le May, played a great role in saving U.S. road racing after the tragedies at Watkins Glen; SAC provided safe venues at U.S. airbases, George Weaver (assisted by his wife Barbara) created and managed a road racing facility at Thompson that both drivers and spectators could safely enjoy. The flip side of the coin was that as a thoroughly unique character, Weaver was also stubborn and controversial; while on the membership committee he reluctantly supported the SCCA policy of refusing applications made by non-whites and people of the Jewish faith, to join the club. O’Neil’s chapter on Weaver is the highlight of Volume One.
1952: A great shot showing the first, small oval, the ½ mile oval, and the extension for the road course which was completed in that year.
Contracts, leases, shares and problems
Rarely, if ever, have we had such a well-documented look at the problems of owning, sharing, leasing, advertising, and managing a road racing facility. O’Neil describes the construction of the half mile asphalt oval, the construction and leasing arrangements, and the politics between the land owner John Hoenig, George Weaver, and their unsuccessful attempts to create a working relationship. He provides letters from Weaver and court documents to explain the complex arrangements involved. By Volume Two, Hoenig and Weaver are in court over long-standing share issues. O’Neil manages to keep our interest and wonder, with each year (the volumes are chronological) just what is going to happen to both Hoenig and Weaver. O’Neil obtained the full cooperation of both the Weaver and Hoenig families, and presents the facts as known without taking sides.
Results
Each chapter in the book relates to a specific year; O’Neil chronicles the ongoing negotiations between the principles, then writes a brief report on each of the races held during the year. This is followed by a more comprehensive listing of each event and each race within that event, listing car numbers, the car itself, chassis number where possible, driver and finishing position. There are gaps, and some things will never be known; as the author states, “…it is impossible to say that this is a definitive work.” Nonetheless, it is an impressive tour de force and a handy reference work.
And oh, the photos
As with all of O’Neil’s works, the photos of Thompson are usually snapshots taken by enthusiasts or club members, and yet essential and a joy to behold. They were obtained from collections at the IMRRC, museums, and many from the great guys from Barcboys .
1954: Let’s let the readers identify the cars and drivers on the grid at Thompson for the fourth race at the April 25th, 1954. One of hundreds such photos.
1955: That’s Otto Linton in the ex-Cabianca OSCA having a go with Candy Poole in his PBX. Len Bastrup won the race, driving that high-finned Lotus IX.
1956: Shelby with the Ferrari 875S s/n 0588 in the fifth race in September. He was listed as a dnf.
1960: A staple of racing at Thompson was the production classes; many of these cars were driven to the event (the ‘dual purpose’ sports car was very popular at the time). The Alfas, Triumphs and Healeys were well matched and competitive.
1962: Glorious Days indeed that witnessed the battles between the Ferraris and the Corvettes. Bob Grossman and Doug Theim are chased by the ‘Vette of Fred Aibel.
1965: French cars were always rare at SCCA events, but here is Fred Manley with his Le Mans D.B. running in H Modified.
1967: The girl in the Cobra just about says it all. For a variety of reasons, sports car racing was losing its luster by the end of the 1960s, and Thompson suffered accordingly.
The Thompson Raceway/Speedway continued to operate as a half mile (or 5/8s depending on how it was measured) oval facility after the road racing closed down, and furthermore, in 2010, John Hoenig’s great grandson established a new road racing circuit that currently hosts a full schedule of motorsports events. The beat goes on…
In our (or my) fondest dreams, sometime in the distant future, there will be a generation who will embrace, study and cherish the automobiles of the 20th century and all of their related activities. And they will seek out all sources and kinds of stored information, including those lap-crushing but permanent volumes which will never become vestiges of zeros and ones.
This scenario may never occur. But guys like O’Neil are making sure they are doing their part…after all if they didn’t do the research and write the books, there would be no information for students of the automobile to seek out. Either way, we are in debt to Terry O’Neil.
The Golden Days of Thompson Speedway and Raceway 1945-1977
By Terry O’Neil
Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2018
ISBN 978-185443-298-8
330mm by 240 mm, 760 pages, Two volumes, hard cover with dust jackets and slip case
Limited to 500 signed copies
US$225
Order from Dalton Watson, email info@daltonwatson.com
Book Review, Mid-Atlantic American Sports Car Races, 1953-1962
I live in Connecticut and when I started going to races at Thompson about
1972 the Weaver road course was out of business but I was always intrigued
by the bits of the story I could pick up. I finally found the old course and took
some photos about 1975. Since then I would periodically try to find more facts
about the Weaver version of the road course. Finally, Terry O’Neil’s book came
out and I decided to purchase a copy the moment I saw it. I bought it at Thompson,
no less, as Terry was there at the historic races in June. I was able to have a good
conversation with Terry and showed him my photos. He also introduced me to
Valerie Weaver Clark. The book answered all my questions and as you stated, the photos alone are worth the price of the book. I highly recommend this book to
anyone interested in the development of post war sports car racing.
I have fond memories of Thompson, where I raced my MG TC while a student at MIT and later drove the Birdcage Maserati on an abbreviated circuit. Also races there with the VSCCA. Both Weavers were great folks. Easy to have a crush on Barbara!
I go back to 1964, my just out of the USAF and the proud owner of a Jag XK-140…my having gotten the Sports Car bug while at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC.
My first event was at Thompson while the track was on both the Weaver and the Hoenig property…my nose pressed against the fence drooling at the cars of Roger Penske, Bob Holbert, Mike Gammino, and so many others of that era.
Over the years I attended numerous events at Thompson…my also going to work for the Picard’s of Picard Motor Sales of North Smithfield, RI. They were also one of a number of teams that were sponsored by BMC.
In the 70’s I moved, for cost reasons, into go kart racing wherein I ran in one of the very last races on the old, Hoenig only, road course in a go kart enduuro event in the late 70’s, before the track was finally closed down.
For many years I ran sports car RALLIES through the area of Thompson, the routes always incorporating Alms Road so I could show participants what remained of the original course as it ran through the Weaver property.
The restoration of this track by Joe Hoenig was 7th-Heaven for me wherein today I am a member of the track’s “Turn 12 Club”…a small group of volunteers that assist in the providing of many services to our guests and participants.
I was at the Vintage Event back in June when this book was released…bought 2-copies.
I had both signed and personalised along with spending quite a bit of time with Valerie Weaver.
I also convinced Terry O’Neil to join myself and the many members of the Alfa Owners of New England in our Corral for a cookout wherein he graciously shared a lot of info on his research for this book.
I would encourage anyone that ever raced at Thompson, viewed a race there, etc. to buy a copy of this book and put it on perminant display on your coffee table or in your den…it’ll be the best memory move you’ll ever make.
To help identify the cars in one of the photos: The white car on the left is an Allard. The car in the center is a V8-RI Maserati, chassis number 4501, probably driven by Phil Cade (the owner). Cade bought the car from George Weaver so it could possibly be Weaver in the cockpit. The car on the right is a Cisitalia.
Thompson race track..very special to me! yes lsiten to this!!
I arrived, from France, in providence RI may , 15th 1959, certified mechanic, June 1959
Charlie Rainville hired me, working for Jack kaplan’s Foreing cars reservoir ave. Providence, I was working of Charlie Rainville’s Alfa Giulietta, getting it ready for the track, this is how I,learned about Thompson race track.I used to spend most my weekends there, giving a hand to every one , after a while they used to call me “Sergio”
Mr. Weaver loved me I spent many times in his own barn, were he was telling me stories
I have many pictures & 8mm films from these days
This track is very special to me, so many good memories, as a matter of facts this is there that I had meet Mr. Peter Sachs who gave me a job working at High Performance Cars Inc Waltham Massachusetts March 1965 & sold me the company july 1969
***Memories** I purchased this book!!
Raced at Thompson a few times — lovely place, except for a friend who had a bad shunt there. Coming back onto the oval was, well, interesting – this was in the mid-70’s and the Oval turns 1-2 had a nice banking –which you sort of ‘yumped’ over coming onto the straight from the road course –not your average track, for certain!!
I think the db driver’s name was frank Manley, a Boeing engineer and all-around great guy. he eventually towed this le mans participant with a sliding-roof studebaker wagon
Yes! memories I got my 62 Giulietta from Jake, my dad knew his brother. That’s where I met Charlie Rainville and his son who also drove a Giulietta. I tagged along with them a few times at Thompson. We both drove the course like a couple of young crazies Charlie was always yelling at us, what fun. Charlie’s son pass away a few years ago, he would have loved the book. I’ll read for the both of us
Wow! So many great memories of a Fairfield Cty.teenager who wanted to live, hear, see and smell sportscar racing in the ’60’s. Finally talked our Dad into driving brother & me to our first races at SCCA regionals at Thompson. Later we would hitchhike or drive in a day when walking through the spectator parking you could find a Type 35 Bugatti parked next to a Gullwing and a VW. Every time one of George Weaver’s event postcards showed up in the mail I was thrilled! Each one signed : “Yours for our sport.” We visited the Glen and Limerock too, but Thompson was always our favorite track. My Kodacolor Brownie Starflash photos are treasure of my youth. Wonderful that someone put a book like this together; I’m ordering right away.
Fabulous stuff ! I lived in Wolcott CT in the 80’s but never visited Thompson. By then it was mostly used for modified’s. Stafanic ruled the place then. Being a sports car guy I lived at Lime Rock.
I only raced there once, motorcycles mind you, in the fall of 1975 I think. It snowed !! A fun track that would have been more fun in nice weather.