roadhawg Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 As I've mentioned before, I grew up in an automotive environment. My dad ran an auto service business and I was introduced to dirt track racing early on. When I turned 16, I built my own car and started racing at the local track, Athens (GA) Speedway. I ran in the Hobby division, but the fastest division was the Late Models. Back in the 70's, the king of Athens Speedway in the Late Model class was Ray Brooks, from Jefferson GA. When his #19 Chevy II showed up, the question became who was going to finish second that night. Ray and his half-brother Linder Smith ran a local transmission repair shop, and eventually my dad started subbing out transmission repairs to them. I got to know them, and we became good friends. I ended up hanging out at their shop more than ours! When I went into the sign business in the 80's, Ray gave me a spot in their shop to work out of...free, no rent. Thats the kind of guy he was. Ray continued to race well into the 90s, making the move to asphalt, but ended up having to retire because of health issues. This is a model of the Chevy II he had so much success with. The body is from the Rat Packer kit, with the wheelwells relocated back to the stock position. Wheels/tires are from Fred's Resin. Interior is pretty much sheet styrene with a Detail Master steering wheel and seat belt kit. Paint is plain ol' Testors gold and black, and no its not super glossy...the real car was painted in a transmission shop on a lift. Lol. The decals are self-designed. The model is built curbside, so there is no engine details. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, and I may end up giving it to Mr, Brooks next year at the annual Athens Speedway Reunion.
Guest Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Awesome work Tommy! Nothing is as cool as a model built after a real car! I'm sure Ray would love to have it and it would be a great way of paying him back.
Models by Bear Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Very nice Awesome job looks like the real one
oldscool Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Excellent work, Tommy! You totally nailed the look of the 1:1 car! Yes he did! One of the most faithful replicas I have ever seen in 1/25 scale. gus
roadhawg Posted July 11, 2011 Author Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks y'all! i'd have posted Bluesman Mark's comment but it would have just been censored we will just say that he really liked it too. Huh. I didn't realize he was still around here, I haven't seen him post anything in awhile. Oh, well...tell him thanks!
Foxer Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Nice job on this ... It's great when you can do a car from your past like this.
LAone Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 turned out great. looks just like the real thing. im sure if you give it to him, it might just bring a tear to his eye.
Draggon Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 I dont like the word awesome, but I'll make an exception for this. Man, thats freakin' awesome!!
Harry P. Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 i'd have posted Bluesman Mark's comment but it would have just been censored What's that supposed to mean?
TheCat Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 WOW... Awesome build!!! It's spot-on to the 1.1 car. Great job!!! Mr. Brooks will be very happy with this build.
funhouse1 Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Man Tommy, what everybody else said and more! Just a great build. Also, what's this about Athens Speedway? Where was it? When did it close? Again, wonderful build...
roadhawg Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks again, everybody! I do appreciate the kind words, and I'm glad y'all like it. Man Tommy, what everybody else said and more! Just a great build. Also, what's this about Athens Speedway? Where was it? When did it close? Again, wonderful build... Jack, Athens Speedway was off the Atlanta Highway on Jimmie Daniels Rd, behind where Sams Club is now. It ran from the late 50's into the early 90's, when Sams Club purchased the property. It was THE place to be on Saturday nights in the 70's. Most of the track and stands remained intact until just a few years ago, but I believe it's all gone now. Man, I miss that place. http://georgiaracinghistory.com/athens-speedway/
Sixties Sam Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 A spot-on replica, really well done! What a nice tribute to your friend! Sam
butchey Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 This is so AWSUME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!supper job !BUT as Great as it came out yu should have put moter in it!
The Modeling Hermit Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 Dirt rules, and that Chevy looks like it does a little ruling too.
bsoder Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 I always enjoy seeing builds with a good story behind them...and your build looks spot on!! OUTSTANDING
Thumper Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 I remember watching the real car in action.....Excellent job...you nailed it !
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