The Vault
MY FIRST TRIP TO LUXEMBURG SPEEDWAY – OCT. 12, 1975
Posted on: Saturday September 3, 2022
This book is available for purchase at this website. Simply click on the upper left “books” tab.
As a kid by the time I was six years old when I first attended Luxemburg Speedway for Fritz Van’s Autumn Countdown Classic (A.C.C. Meet) in October, 1975.
We went because dad was crewing for Scott Hansen in his ’66 Chevelle. Little trivia from that day is that afternoon race served as Scott’s very first checkered flag he’d earn in his career.
Check out the names who were in attendance that day – J.J. Smith was already a well known stud on the local racing scene. The winningest driver in WIR history – Terry Baldry was also there.
Enjoy reading this piece from my 2015 release “Life In The Past Lane – A history of stock car racing in Northeastern Wisconsin from 1950-1980.”
This race recap is penned by the legendary Fritz Van. Note the “flair” in his writing style.
This book is available for purchase by clicking on the “books” tab on this website. Enjoy!
A.C.C. MEET (Luxemburg Speedway)
By Fritz Van (reprinted from the 1976 Wisconsin Stock Car Racing Yearbook)
Racing’s colorful JJ Smith wrapped up the first annual Autumn Countdown Classic at the Luxemburg Speedway on a blustery Fall afternoon October 12, 1975 to cap what he described as his most successful season in 15 years of stock car action.
Starting back in the sixth row, the streaking Smith lost little time in “picking ‘em off one by one” until lap six when he moved out front to stay in the 40 lap late model championship race. “The track was in excellent condition giving me plenty of bite,” related a smiling Smith, who was mobbed by autograph seekers after his smashing victory.
Hartland’s Gene Erdmann also found the moist track to his liking as he stormed to victory in equally convincing fashion in the modified division of the ACC finals. Erdmann got heavy pressure from a pair of Norway, MI aces but held onto the lead for the final 24 laps to beat out Joe Haferkorn and Pat Temple, respectively.
Locally popular Wes Eckert of Franklin made a surprising entry in the mod division after having driven nothing but late models throughout the regular season. He drove a highly-rated car owned by Sturgeon Bay’s Pat Raye and might well have grabbed the triumph were it not for a partially-plugged fuel system. He settled for fourth.
A newcomer Gregg Curzon, already crowned ACC point champ in pre-race ceremonies, fought gallantly to hold the early lead from his pole position. However as the race wore on the Baileys Harbor rookie sensation faded to fifth behind the aforementioned big guns.
But it was the fabled Smith who dominated the spotlight in the ACC’s glittering championship show. Hundreds of hearty race fans braved miserably cold, windy weather to see JJ do his thing and the Appleton star didn’t disappoint.
Maneuvering his 1975 Camaro with all the skill and precision that brought him national honors just two weeks hence at the National Clay Track Championships, Smith made it look easy as he took car after car on the outside on both curves and straightaways. Only a series of restarts due to other drivers mishaps prevented him from making it a complete rout.
As it turned out it was Smith’s brother-in-law, Dave Valentyne, who provided the most competition. The Kimberly racer fought his way to a respectable second place after starting in the back of the pack in the title event. Earlier, Valentyne had taken runnerup honors in the consolation bracket to qualify for the big one.
Valentyne put on quite a show in his wailing ’73 Mustang but the brilliant Smith was not to be denied. Stu Nitzke of Berlin annexed third despite spinning out earlier in the race, while Luxemburg hometown favorite Irv Ettien drove a steady race to take fourth in a field of 15 finalists.
Omro’s Terry Baldry, ACC late model points champ, failed to finish the title skirmish due to a damaging mishap.
Randy Guelette of Brussels fascinated the crowd by driving the consolation victory in the modified class with one hand on the steering wheel and the other comfortably perched on the window. Scott Hansen of Green Bay took late model consolation honors.
SUMMARY
LATE MODELS
40 lap championship – JJ Smith, Appleton; Dave Valentyne, Kimberly; Stu Nitzke, Berlin; Irv Ettien, Luxemburg; Les Le Captain, Green Bay; Scott Hansen, Green Bay; Jerry Jonet, Green Bay; Don Mahlberg, New Holstein; Mark Haskins, Green Bay; Mike Panure, Green Bay; Bobby Schmelzer, Forestville; Gayle Dillion, Two Rivers
20 lap consolation – Hansen; Valentyne; Jonet; Dave Laurent, Oshkosh
MODIFIEDS
30 lap championship – Gene Erdmann, Harford; Joe Haferkorn, Norway, MI; Pat Temple, Norway, MI; Wes Eckert, Franklin; Greg Curzon, Baileys Harbor; Steve Bergdorf, St. Killian; Dick Gigstead, Algoma; Danny Malvetz, Little Sturgeon; Pat Murphy, Sturgeon Bay; Lynne Wolfgram, Sturgeon Bay; Tom Lischka, Kewaunee; Pete Sternard, Sturgeon Bay
15 lap consolation – Randy Guelette, Brussels; Pat Raye, Sturgeon Bay; Reggie Cochart, Brussels; Pete Sternard
(Note: no time trials were held. Starting positions were determined by point standings of 3 countdown races on previous weekends.)