Learn all about the world of collecting, customizing, and constructing model cars in our next volunteer talk! World of Speed volunteers Gregg McElhinney and Andy Frezza will share advice and stories about their shared passion for (and years of experience with) model cars.
Volunteer Talk: Model Car Collecting 101 Read More »
These days, many of us are staying home, using social distance—but we can remain connected as a community through our shared experiences and support for one another. During this temporary closure, World of Speed is continuing its mission to provide education and entertainment through the celebration and preservation of motorsports by bringing our Museum to
Stagger referrers to the circumference of the wheels on the right side of an oval track race car compared to the size of the tires on the left. This difference in size may look strange on a car but is a necessity in handling. Types of cars that use stagger are sprint cars, midgets, some
Only On Ovals: How To Handle A Short Oval Track Car Read More »
Using images and technical drawings from the World of Speed Archive’s Granatelli Collection, volunteer Tom Stycznski elaborates on his volunteer talk presentation covering Andy and his development of race cars starting with his early years in Chicago, building Grancor and the Hurricane Hot Rod Association along with his early years in race promotion. Learn about
Developing The Granatelli Race Cars Read More »
The Lotus Simulator as it sits in the World of Speed Museum today One of our main attractions at the World of Speed are our racing simulators. Guests from around the world can try their hand in a real converted NASCAR Cup Car or real IndyCar. The third of the three available is much more special however,
Completing The Vision: The Birth Of Racing Simulators Read More »
The Frisbee CANAM car driven by Al Unser Jr. is a prime example of a slippery surfaced car designed to implement downforce. Force is an abstract concept. Defined in physics as: any interaction that will change the motion of an object when unopposed. Simply, force is an object of mass that is moving. In racing,
Angle of Attack: Defining Downforce Read More »
Paul Mackie has been a prominent name in Portland hot rod culture for a number of years. A Grade “A” pinstriper, Mackie describes the art form as “hand painted graphic design that is symmetrical, geometrical and improvisational. The design emerges the more you work on it.” Pinstriping is a sister profession to sign painting and
Artistic Revelation: A Sitdown With Renowned Pinstriper Paul Mackie Read More »
By Sara Paulson, Associate Archivist An amusing (and confusing) conversation could be overheard in the Archive the other day. It went something like this: “You know the Rose City Speedway?” “Yeah, the one that closed?” “Yeah. You know, the golf course one?” “Hmm, maybe…you mean Portland Speedway?” “Rose City Speedway was Portland Speedway? But I
A Tale Of Two Rose City Speedways Read More »
ENDING DECEMBER 31! FOR ONE GLORIOUS DECADE, THEY WERE KINGS. Pontiac Chief Engineer John DeLorean gambled and swung for the fences when he decided to put a large engine in a mid-size car, but the Pontiac GTO was a home run indeed. Others followed: the Mustang, the Camaro, Trans Ams and Cougars and ‘Cudas. The
American Muscle Cars Read More »
Mickey Thompson is a name well known in many types of racing. He was a genius/ madman engineer that tested the boundaries of automotive innovation and logic. He spoke the language of ingenuity. In his long pedigree of motorsports projects, one stands apart from the others. Already a veteran of Bonneville land speed attempts, Mickey
Larger Than Life: Inspecting Mickey Thompson’s Challenger Read More »
