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Racers Reunion Set For March 30 In Rochester

Rochester, MN
By: Todd Narveson

Mark Noble’s idea of getting his legendary father Dave Noble out to see a couple of his old race car driver friends has now turned into something much bigger than anyone dreamed. The idea has grown to a much bigger day and is now looked forward to each winter amongst those in the racing community.

The 5th Annual Old Timers Racing Reunion is set for Saturday, March 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event will take place at Steve Yaggy’s Home Shop located at 7686 County Road 8 SW in Rochester, MN.

The gathering meant to reunite stock car racers from the 1950’s through the 1980’s who maybe have not seen each other for many years. Here they can get together and see their old racing comrades, share some memories and just plain have a good time.

This year’s event could possibly be its biggest yet. There will be several vintage cars on display this year that will include the debut of the restoration project of Karl Fenske’s famous red 1957 Chevy Hobby Stock that Bob Steier has been putting together. This is the actual car that Fenske drove to numerous feature wins and track championships in the area. Progressive Truck in Rochester painted it the famous red hue and world renowned sign painter Mike Meyer of Mazeppa brought the car to life just like it was in the 1970’s

Rex’s Garr’s #28 coupe will be on display too which is also an actual car that Rex drove during his storied career in southern Minnesota. This machine was found in a barn and was on display at the reunion last year along with a couple of area race tracks.

A special surprise with be an Iowa invasion of sorts just like the 1970’s when Iowa drivers would come to Minnesota for the bigger Late Model shows. Gary and Karen Crawford along with Ed and Teri Sanger will have their restored Late Models that each drove during their hall of fame careers on display and both drivers will be in attendance. Sanger is a National Dirt Late Model Hall Of Famer with over 500-career wins while Crawford has been inducted to several hall of fames in the Hawkeye State.

Another special guest this year will be “Goldie� an actual race car that the legendary Dick Trickle drove in A.S.A. (American Speed Association) competition. John and Paul Gilbertson of LaCrosse, Wisconsin did an outstanding job reviving the gold Miller Beer #99. It is authentic right down to the cigarette lighter that Trickle was famous for having in his race cars.

A lunch and refreshments provided at the event for those in attendance. The event is free to attend, but free-will donations are welcome with the proceeds going to Racer’s For Christ (R.F.C.) Motorsports Ministry. Everyone is invited to come and join us for a little trip down the memory lane of stock car racing history in this area.

A big thank you to Baier’s Engine Service of Rochester, The Muffler Center, Southern Minnesota Auto Suppy (Auto Value), Becher’s Napa Auto Parts, Action Engineering of Byron, Mark & Becky Noble of Blooming Prairie, Deer Creek Speedway of Spring Valley, Ron’s Auto Repair of Pine Island and Elmer’s Auto Salvage & Toy Museum of Fountain City, WI for their help with this event.

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