Collection History

The World of Speed museum (2015-2020) was founded in Wilsonville, Oregon by Dave and Sally Bany.  The museum, located at 27490 SW 95th Ave, Wilsonville, OR 97070, featured world-class exhibits that told the story of America’s motorsports culture and a working shop that provided high school students an opportunity to learn skills needed to work in the automotive industry.  A few months into the COVID-19 pandemic museum leadership made the decision to permanently close the museum.  Materials in the museum’s collections were distributed to museums, schools and other educational institutions throughout the state by lot.   Materials related to the history of racing in the Mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon were transferred to the Willamette Heritage Center.

These materials can be accessed at the Willamette Heritage Center.  For more information about how to research at the Willamette Heritage Center click here.

Collections Contents

TITLE DESCRIPTION OBJECT TYPE WHC NUMBER WOS # DATE SEARCH TERMS
Start Cooking at the Starting Line with Drag Races Cookbook Plastic Spiral bound cook book created by the Woodburn Booster Club and themed around the Woodburn Drag Strip. Book 2020.024.0001.001 WOS 3946 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Woodburn Booster Club Boosterism Auto Racing Cookbook
Cascade Drag Racing Conference Competition Rules Collection of Cascade Drag Racing Conference publications. Includes two rule booklets. One for 1957 and one for 1959. The conference included three regions (Puget Sound; Inland Empire; and Columbia River and included organizations from Calgary Alberta to Eugene, Oregon). Organization helped set rules for meets held throughout the Pacific Northwest. Of particular notice for WHC researchers will be those hosted by member organization the Northwest Timing Association (with meets in Aurora and Woodburn, Oregon) Booklet 2020.024.0003.002 Auto Racing Cascade Drag Racing Conference Drag Racing Aurora McMinnville Woodburn Northwest Timing Association Multnomah Hot Rod Council Mid-Columbia Timing Association
Rule Book Small green paper, staple-bound booklet with line illustration of car in front of a mountain, with man behind with checkered flag and group sitting in elevated platform emblazoned with “SOTA”. Published by the Southern Oregon Timing Association, Inc. Medford, Oregon. Booklet includes schedule, map of the drag strip in Medford, Safety regulations for cars and drivers, listing of Classes, and rules. Booklet 2020.024.0003.003 1958 Drag Racing Auto Racing Southern Oregon
Rules and Regulations for Competitive Drag Races and Suggested Constitution and By-Laws for Hot Rod Clubs Paper, staple bound booklet with yellow cover and green writing. Booklet sponsored by the Multnomah County Sherrif’s Office and Sheriff Terry D. Schrunk. Also includes jokes and ORS language. Booklet 2020.024.0003.004 Drag Racing Auto Racing Multnomah County
Official Stock Hardtop Rules and Regulations of the Capital Racing Association of Oregon Small blue, paper, staple bound booklet with illustration of car in red on a blue background with black title printing. Includes Forward, 1959 Officials, General Rules, Engine Rules; Body Frame and Running Gear; Track Rules; Teardowns; Sponsored by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., Salem, Oregon with illustrations throughout. Booklet 2020.024.0003.006 WOS 5488 1959 Capital Racing Association of Oregon Auto Racing
By-laws of the Roadster Racing Association of Oregon, INC. Red paper booklet, staple bound. Includes information about the Roadster Racing Association of Oregon (R.R.A.O.) founded to regulate roadster racing in the state. Includes description of racing flags and what they mean. Booklet 2020.024.00003.007 WOS 5568 1952 Auto Racing Roadster Racing Association of Oregon, Inc.
Pacific Stock Car Racing Association Official Rule Book Small, plastic comb bound (on top) booklet with graduated pages. Includes sections on General Rules of Racing, Race Procedure, Car Specifications and Awards. Pages appear to be mimeographed copies of typewritten text. Booklet, Instruction 2020.024.0003.001 WOS 332 Auto Racing Pacific Stock Car Racing Association
Woodburn Drag Strip 1966 Class Winner Red Light Coat Light cotton jacket in red cotton with zippered front, collard. Two front pockets cut on diagonal. Back hem has elastic at waist. Buttoned cuffs. White stenciled lettering on back, bold reads: Woodburn Drag Strip 1966 Class Winner.” Coat 2020.024.0001.006 WOS 2327 1966 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Drag Racing Auto Racing
Woodburn Drag Strip Light Coat Red cotton, zippered jacket with color and two front pockets cut on diagonal. Back of coat has printed bold white writing that reads: “Woodburn Drag Strip.” Coat 2020.024.0001.007 WOS 2328 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing Drag Racing
Guardrail from Woodburn Dragstrip 16 pieces of metal guard rail from Woodburn Drag Strip Guardrail 2020.024.0001.012 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Race Track Auto Racing Drag Racing
Oregon Fuel and Gas Meet Flyer Single sheet of paper advertisement. Split into two sections. Left side has black background with title “Drag Races” and listing of cash prizes for competitors. Right side has a neutral background with black lettering reading in part: “Oregon’s Fastest Drag Strip Presents: Oregon Fuel and Gas Meet, Sept. 14,15. Time Trials — Saturday – 10 AM. Time Trials — Sunday 8 am. Stock Eliminations C/S Thru N/S –3:00 pm. Comp. Classes and S/S., A/S, B/S, F/X, -1 pm. Exclusive..First time in Oregon Tommy Ivo’s AA/FD. One of the top cars and drivers in the nation turning consistently in the 190s. See this fabulous California dragster in action both Saturday and Sunday. Floyd, Albrich and Grimm AA/FD. This outstanding northwest AA/FD holds the Strip Record of 199.76, in 7.97. The Top Northwest Racing Club, the Slo-Poks of Vancouver, Wash., Will be Present in Full Force Assaulting the 1/4. Chuck Wagon Breakfast – Served beginning at 7:00 am Sunday Morning. $1.25…..For Further Information Contact, Al Beachell… Owned and Operated by Hot Rodders for the Sole Purpose of Drag Racing. Woodburn Drag Strip. Located 1 mile west of Salem Freeway at Woodburn Interchange. Handbill 2020.024.0001.008 1963 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing Drag Racing
Woodburn Dragscript Series of newsletters published in serial. This collection Includes issues Volume 5.1 – Volume 14. Not a complete collection. See container list for list of issues. Indexing applies to some advertisers (local) and photos for the most part. Not comprehensive. Newspaper 2020.024.0001.010 ATI Racing Transmissions Auto Racing Dairy Queen Davison Auto Parts Drag Racing Fairway Inn Motel Franz Bread Garrett Machine Herberger motors Hershberger Performance Products Hill Enterprises Hillyer’s Tire & Whell Center Interstate Heavy Hauling Lancaster Auto Parts Mr. P’s Auto Parts My Family Restaurant National Hot Rod Association OK Tire Store Oregon Farmfest Pfau Distributing Precision Auto Repair Radke Auto Parts Salem Speed Shop Sprague High School Taylor Honda Team Woodburn The Original Muffler Center, Inc. Thomas Distributing Company Woodburn Woodburn Auto Wrecker Woodburn Dragstrip Woodburn Kart Track Woodburn R.V. Park
David Wedlake Workbook A memo-sized workbook of David Westlake, a Top Fuel dragster team member in the mid-1960s, notes from various tracks and races. Originally stored in his tune-up box. Tracks listed at Bremerton, Puyallup, P.I.R, Boise. Notebook 2020.024.0004.007 1971 Auto Racing Portland International Raceway
Woodburn Class Winner Patch Fabric patch in the shape of a shield. Reads: Woodburn Drag Strip 1966 Class Champion with black outline and two checkered flags. Patch, Merit-badge 2020.024.0001.005 WOS 309.C 1966 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing Drag Racing
Multi-Race Plaques Collection of racing plaques from Pacific Northwest. Materials were transferred from the World of Speed Museum in Wilsonville, Oregon prior to its closure in 2020. This collection, while given as a whole unit, appears to have been made up of materials from a variety of donors. Plaque 2020.024.0002 Auto Racing
Modified Racing Association of Oregon The Modified Racing Association of Oregon (M.R.A.O) was founded to “organize for the advancement of car racing in the Pacific Northwest. Per the constitution it was pitted against the Jalopy Racing Association (members joining this organization could be kicked out). Records 2020.024.0003.005 Modified Racing Association of Oregon Jalopy Racing Association Auto Racing
John Feuz Racing Memorabilia Collection John Feuz worked on cars for designer and owner Rolla Vollstedt Records 2020.024.0004.005 Auto Racing Automobiles Indianapolis 500 Western Auto Racing Association Roadster Racing Association of Oregon Portland Speedway Oregon Motor Sports Museum
Oregon Grapevine, Inc. CB Communications One oversized scrapbook documenting the Oregon Grapevine, Inc. Citizens Band radio communication club. Self described as a “Civil Radio Club.” The Portland based club was organized in 1960, with first president Harlan Peyton. It provided radio communications for a variety of events (mostly racing events) all over the State of Oregon. Most notably covered are the Rose Cup Races held at West Delta Park in Portland; the Miller Kersting Memorial Race; Cascade Sports Car Club Events, Mt. Hood Jacyees Go Card Races and Sports Car Club of America events in Newport and Eugene and O.I.R in Eugene. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.001 WOS 3732 Newport Tillamook Eugene Portland Delta Park Cascade Sports Car Club Oregon Grapevine, Inc. Sports Car Club of Ameria Jaycees Radio CB radio Sports Car Club of America
Pacific Northwest Racing Scrapbook Scrapbook containing news clippings, photographs, programs and ticket stubs from Pacific Northwest events and drivers. Majority of material relates to Portland and Indianapolis races. There is one reference to the Salem Track. Highlights include: –Jantzen Beach Park Midget Auto Races, Bobby Rowe, Inc. –Copies of “The Sportlight” (Northwest’s only all sports weekly –Articles from “The Exhaust” –Ephemera from the Portland Speed Bowl and Portland Speedway -Ephemera from the Vancouver Speedway Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.002 WOS 0345 Auto Racing Midget Auto Races Vancouver Speedway Portland Bobby Rowe, Inc. Jantzen Beach Indianapolis 500
Hawkins Racing Scrapbook Scrapbook about David L. “Dave” Hawkins, a Portland-based Hot Rodder, with strip at Woodburn, McMinville, Mission, and Eugene. Worked as announcer for a time at the Woodburn Drag Strip and Delta Park Drag Strips. WOS Catalog record: “Pink Fabric covered scrapbook with photos and documents belonging to Dave and Doug Hawkins. Most of the scrapbook contains photos and articles relating to Hawkin’s drag racing career in the Pacific Northwest.” Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.003 WOS 5947 Drag Racing Woodburn Dragstrip Delta Park Portland Auto Racing Hot Rod
Harry “Fuzzy” Brown Scrapbook Scrapbook of materials related to Eugene-based Harry “Fuzzy” Brown and his racing career. Materials mainly related to Lane County modified Racing Association and Eugene Speedway Association. One program for the Hollywood Bowl Salem and documentation of other races around Pacific Northwest. Also By-Laws and Car rules of the Northwest Auto Racing Group. Materials include news clippings, original photos, membership cards, booklets and programs, and other ephemera. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.004 WOS 4421 Eugene Eugene Speedway Lane County Modified Stock Car Racing Association Auto Racing Northwest Auto Racing Group Northwest Rod News Portland Speedway Jantzen Beach Eugene Hardtop Association
Scrapbook Unlabelled car and motorcycle images and family images and an eclipse image. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.006 WOS 2456 Motorcycle Automobiles
Herman Petersen Drag Scrapbook Three ring binder with mostly black and white photos showing various racing. Per WOS Catalog record: “A navy blue leatherette scrapbook with a photo of a drag car inserted into the front cover. The photos inside cover Herm Petersen’s drag racing career from the 1960s through the 1970s in the Portland, Oregon area.” Biography from Scrapbook: Herman “The Northwest Terror” Petersen started drag racing in 1958 at the age of 16. He joined Handler’s Car Club in 1962 and served as club president from 1965 to 1968. In 2000, the Petersen & Fitz race team as inducted into the NHRA Division Six Hall of Fame. The highlight of Petersen’s career came in March of 2004 when he was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Florida –Identified images of Bremerton Raceways, Portland International Raceway, Pomona Raceway, Puyallup Raceway Park

 

 Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.008 WOS 6242 Drag Racing Auto Racing Auto Race Track Portland International Raceway
Kansas City Timing Association Reunion Three ring binder with photocopied pages depicting photos and information related to the 1956-1957 Kansas City Timing Association Races. Photos and Book created by Gary McConnelll

 Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.009 WOS 4036 Auto Racing
Gene Thiessen and BSA Motorcycles Research Notebook From WOS Catalog Record: This research binder presents an historical account of Gene Thiessen and his time racing with the BSA motorcycle team. It was compiled by Theissen’s friend, Dan Lowrey, who photocopied photographs, articles and advertisements, scrapbook pages, program covers and other materials from Theissen’s own collection and from other sources. The binder begins with a section of photos and articles featuring a summary of Thiessen’s career and continues chronologically from 1948-1958. The account offers a look into mid-century motorcycle racing on the West Coast with, for example, the emerging growth of brand teams, the evolving technological advances of the time, or the role of the local motorcycle clubs. The breadth of Thiessen’s career is covered with his participation in the following events and places: 20-mile Crown to Brashear, 25 Mile Pacific Coast Championship, Boise Idaho Tourist Trophy (T.T.) Race, British Columbia Championship Race, Catalina Island Grand National, Coyote Classic, Daytona 200, Daytona Beach 100-Mile Amateur, Death Head Derby, Dodge City (Kansas) Motorcycle Fair, Dodge City 200-Mile National, Gray’s Harbor Motorcycle Club Classic, Gypsy Tour Rally, Hollister Rally, Langhorne 100-mile National Speedway Championship, Northwest Tourist Trophy, Syracuse 10-mile National, Trophy Dash at Bremerton Washington, Bay Meadows (San Mateo, CA), Benton-Lane Speedway, Bonneville Salt Flats, Daytona Beach Florida, Daytona Monument, Dodge City Speedway, Elma Fairgrounds, Lane County Fairgrounds, Peaceful Cove Track (Boise), National Motorcycle Museum, Portland Meadows, Rosamond Dry Lakes, Willow Springs California. Organizations and individuals include: American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), Cottage Grove Motorcycle Club, Middle Atlantic Motorcycle Dealers Association, Rich Child Cycle Company, Ramblers of Springfield, Walnut City Squirrels motorcycle club. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.010 WOS 5130 Eugene Lane County Fairgrounds Benton-Lane Speedway Portland Meadows American Motorcyclist Association Cottage Grove Motorcycle Association Motorcycle
Sue Mitchell Scrapbook Digital Scrapbook kept by drag racer Sue Mitchell. Contains newspaper clippings, photos, drawings and ephemera related to racing in Oregon. Mentioned includes Portland International Raceway, Woodburn Dragstrip, National Hot Rod Association, Salem Speed Shop. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.011 WOS 3734 Drag Racing National Hot Rod Association Portland International Raceway Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing Salem Speed Shop
Digitized Scrapbook – Hawkins/Webster “15 Oz Coup” Digital files documenting a scrapbook. Includes drag racing photos of an altered 1934 Ford called “15 oz Coup” of Les Hawkins (builder) and Lyle Webster (driver), on the racetrack and at car shows. Includes construction photos and articles pertaining to the specific car and similar cars. Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.012 WOS 4038 Ford Motor Co. Auto Racing
The Duchess — Dorothy Gruman Scrapbook and Photos Digitized scrapbook focuses on The Dutchess — Dorothy Gruman — the only woman race car owner, manager and promoter during the 1930s and 1940s in the US. Includes photos, correspondence, papers, and articles covering the Dutchess and her part in racing mostly in Oregon and Washington. The Scrabpook also includes articles and images of her drivers Swede Linskog, Les Anderson (also from Portland0, Bob Swanson, Jimmy Miller, Louise Sherman (Spokane), Larry Wright, Woody Woodford, Bobby Grayson and Gaby Harkness. Some boxing images related to her husband’s profession and a single photo of Art Pollard. During the 1930s and ‘40s, the enigmatic “Duchess” was the only woman race car owner, manager or promoter. Most knew her in racing only as the Duchess, but Portland’s Dorothy Hylah Gruman raced midgets and big cars under her Duchess Racing Team throughout the west coast, specifically Oregon and California, as well as some in Washington and British Columbia. After purchasing her first race car in 1935, her fleet included a Dusenberg, McDowell, and air-cooled Douglas raced by Swede Linskog, Les Anderson (also from Portland), Bob Swanson, Jimmy Miller, Louise Sherman (Spokane), Larry Wright, Woody Woodford, Bobby Grayson and Gaby Harkness. She also managed stunt driver Crash Campbell and Portland’s George “Jud” Fuller was Anderson’s mechanic and navigator while driving for the Duchess. She worked with a number of racing magnets on the west coast including race promoter Chas Curryer who started the Oakland 500, which Anderson raced in the Duchess’ Dusenberg. During the war, in 1942, she was employed at the Portland Port of Embarkation. Her husband Ralph Gruman was a boxer and then later a boxing referee and promoter. Born November 8, 1899, Gruman died on her 60th birthday in 1959 following an extended illness. The scrapbook of articles, correspondences, photographs, publicity and papers relates primarily to the Duchess, her drivers, and her part on racing during the late 1930s and early 1940s; there are a few photos relating to her husband and boxing as well as a singular photo print of Art Pollard. Loose images were included in the scrapbook when donated to the World of Speed Archive, some likely connected to pages that have written credits (included). Blank pages in the scrapbook have been removed from digitized copy. The Dutchess Dorothy Gruman From PDX Only woman to own race cars, car manager and promoter Raced midgets and big cars under Dutchess Racing Team Cars – Dusenberg, McDowell, and air-cooled Douglas Had cars in races in CA, Jantzen, Aurora, BC canada Racers: Swede Linskog, Les Anderson (also from Portland), Bob Swanson, Jimmy Miller, Louise Sherman (Spokane), Larry Wright, Woody Woodford, Bobby Grayson ?Gaby Harkness – racer Mechanic – George “Jud” Fuller (for Anderson’s car) [side navigator? In photo] Husband Ralph Gruman was a boxer (born in San Fran), the referee, and promoter Managed stunt driver Crash Campbell Bill Linn – owner of cars Dutchess also managed (not clear which) Purchased first race car in 1935 – since then owner and manager 500 mile ARA championship racing – ARA: American Racing Assoc During the war, in 1942, she was employed at the Portland port of embarkation “4’11” in heels” Worked with race promoter Chas Curryer – brought out/started the Oakland 500 Early race flag definitions, ie blue for last lap. Presently white for last lap but then signaled to visit pits, something is wrong. (( Lived on NE 8th b/w Thompson and brazee – just around corner – across red house with the loose dog)) Loose image of Art Pollard embraced in kiss Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.013 Auto Racing Hop Gold Brewery Fred Meyer Portland Port of Embarkation Portland Western Auto Racing Association Boxing Union Avenue Speedway Oakland 500 Mile Classic Portland Speedway Jantzen Beach Midget Auto Races
Ray Hiebert Materials Digital Scrapbook documenting racer Ray Hiebert. Scrapbook includes photographs, newspaper clippings from the Statesman (Salem, Oregon) , and pages from programs including entry lists for Capital Racing Association, Hollywood Bowl and Jalopy Destruction Derby Scrapbook 2020.024.0004.014 2140 Commercial St SE 4525 Pacific Highway Canby Auto Wreckers Capital Auto Racing Association Auto Racing Eola Auction Eyerly Foreign Cars Feiring General Tire Hollywood Bowl Jalopy Destruction Derby MARR Radio and Television McMinnville Iorn Works Stan Baker Motors Salem Speed Shop Valley Motor Co. Volkswagen Wieder’s Laundry 2630 High St S. 3725 Portland Rd Nick’s Inn
Woodburn Dragstrip Welcome Sing Large metal sign. Blue outline and “Penzoil” logo to far right. Center in red and black on white field reads Welcome Race Fans to Woodburn Drag Strip Sign 2020.024.0001.011 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Race Track Auto Racing Drag Racing
Jim Dale Racer Time Card Two small scraps of paper representing hand written winning time card for drag champion Jim Dale from June 17, 1962. Smaller paper is pre-printed with “Woodburn Drag Strip/Class/Number/E.T./Speed and has penciled in information for each E/G June 17 62 328 Record 9.848 70.62 1.062 2.129 Larger paper just has pencil notations 824 E/G 15.77 87.20 Won Timecard 2020.024.0001.009 WOS 1476 1962 Woodburn Woodburn Dragstrip Drag Racing Auto Racing
Woodburn Dragstrip 1966 Class Winner Black, white and silver trophy. Rectangular base with engraved silver plaquard with title on it. Body is rectangular with white strip flanked by mirrored strips. Top has silver colored molded figure of a car, set upon a crown. Interior of crown has tan satin stuffing. Trophy 2020.024.0001.002 WOS 2321 1966 Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing
Woodburn Dragstrip 1966 Class Winner Trapazoidal wooden base with brass colored engraved plate reading “Woodburn Dragstrip 1966 – Class Winner -” At top of base is a molded eagle figure. Brushed metal, gold colored plate with shiny gold colored sides. Molded car at top with gold covering. Trophy 2020.024.0001.003 WOS 2322 1966 Woodburn Dragstrip Auto Racing
Inaugural Quarter Mile Trophy Tall, thin wood trophy. Features brass plaque on slanted base reading “Woodburn Drag Strip. 1963. Inaugural Qtr. Meet.” Attached to base is a silver colored molded figurine of a car with a driver seated on right side of car. Strip of brass tacked onto an angled wedge supports another wooden trapazoid with another figure of a molded car at the top, suspended on a silver molded plinth. Driver in this car is seated on the left side. Trophy 2020.024.0001.004 1963 Woodburn Woo+A31:G35dburn Dragstrip Auto Racing Drag Racing