Killed Myself When I Was Young

[Hummer]

My mother in law did Smash Derby a couple times at Lakeside - I think it was between the races entertainment. I'll have to ask her more details.

At Lakeside it was called the Demolition Derby back when I was a kid. Most cars were smoking junkers on their last legs, some were veterans toughened up to batter the junkers.

The lady race drivers ran in the Powder Puff event. They were generally more timid drivers, but still it was fun. The trophy recipients got a kiss from one of the guys at the track.

A friend and neighbor, Dick Day, ran a stock car #88 at Lakeside with his brother, Dan. That's Dick, standing on the left. Model A Ford's and '34 Crown Victoria coupes were popular. After the races the pits were opened to friends and spectators to check out the cars and chat with the drivers and mechanics.

I grew up 2 blocks south of Lakeside in Wheat Ridge, with the sounds of the engines every weekend. Strange the sounds you can picture in your head with absolute clarity 30 years later. I only went to the track a couple of times however sad that it closed due to a fatality I believe I will have to post a pic of what it looks like now.

It was VERY LOUD in the grandstands as none of the cars had mufflers. The roar at the start, and smell of the exhaust, of hot dogs, popcorn and beer.... it never leaves you.