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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 »
On March 23, World of Speed Motorsports Museum will unveil the new exhibit, Mario Andretti: Racing Royalty, honoring the most successful American race car driver of all time. The feature exhibit aligns with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his Pike’s Peak and Indianapolis 500 race wins, as well as his success across five decades …
A MODEL CAR GUIDE TO FERRARI’S RACING & PRODUCTION VEHICLES 1950S Having just built its first production car in 1947, Ferrari breaks out the Gran Turismo, introducing the America, Europa, and Mexico, as well as the California and Berlinetta editions. Meanwhile on the track, Ferrari’s racing prototypes land on the Testa Rossa, providing Ferrari’s first …
