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 »
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
Mario Andretti: Racing Royalty Read More »
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
Ferrari Through The Decades Read More »
After the Second World War, the sun rose on a world where factories that had formerly churned out warplanes were making automobiles, a world where military airstrips were becoming raceway circuits. From the Nürburgring to Indianapolis, racing was back. The new Formula 1 race series was dominated by European car makers, like Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and
Photo courtesy of Gregor Halenda Through photographs, rider jackets, team sweaters, and enlarged programs, discover Sidewinders, the club and the track. Learn about the club’s origins, the unique traits of the track, the experience of the crowds, and the riders of the local landmark that was known for its intimidating track and local legends. Designed
Triumph Motorcycle Display Read More »
Jimmy Martin grew up in Oregon’s burgeoning racing culture of the 1940s, made his way to the 1949 Indy 500 as a mechanic, became part of the SoCal performance parts shop and garage culture by the 1950s, traveled up and down the west coast as one of the many that helped to solidify the California
Jimmy Martin Photos gary Martin Words Read More »
