abandoned race tracks massachusetts abandoned race tracks massachusetts

By the turn of the 1980s, though, the fair tracks were facing the same general malaise in racings popularity as New Englands other racecourses. The loose rules of the "almost anything goes" cut downs and the relaxed rules for the non-Fords ran up the cost of fielding a competitive car. from Vincentown Diner head north on 206.At the next light turn right on North Pemberton Rd.Go to next light and turn left on Arneys Mt. It reopened in 2010 and hosted a few races before the doors were shut again in 2011. By 1973, it was all over. This turned out to be MacTavish's only win of the season. where did nick turani go to college brian buffini net worth 2018 One Of The World's Best Racetracks Sits Abandoned Deep In The Woods Of Mississippi Mississippi is home to some wonderfully preserved sites from the past. For some reason, as Red Bolduc came off of 2nd turn his car made a hard right turn into the wall at full speed. Quickly, Suffolk Downs became a stalwart of the Boston sporting social circuit. Some racing cars do not have all the necessary lights needed for driving purposes; this is often due to those cars being . That wouldn't be easy. According to the car-hop's owners, Ginsburg's radio commercials brought as many as two thousand teenagers to his restaurant on a typical summer night. It has been abandonedever since. It hosted various NASCAR races in the 1990s, the first race taking place back in 1949. Admittedly, not much is documented online about this Fire Control Tower. Since the track was abandoned in the 70s, "A partial demolition" occurred in 2002 according to Urban Ghosts. The team may be young and learning but they are gaining respect. Just keep in mind it is private property with active owners. The Top 10 in Modifieds were Johnny Thompson, Smokey Boutwell, Bob Hall, Roland Lapierre, Red Foote, Russ Foote, Barnie Mattie, Ed Flemke, Dennis Zimmerman and Leo Donahue. A renowned short track, the I-70 Speedway saw some great names in racing test their mettle on it since its inception in 1969. Doctors would do little to determine if a person was mentally disabled, and often label homeless and those with anxiety as mentally defective. Bill Slater was 2nd, Rene Charland 3rd, Dennis Zimmerman 4th and Sy Parlin 5th. Named for the native son and education reformer. This was the brothers big bet on moving picture film to be the next big idea in entertainment. That had not been done before. A taskforce of more than 3,000 labourers, wielding 24 power shovels, 36 bulldozers, and 638 trucks, was applied to create this state-of-the-art facility. Wonderland began to decline in the early 1990s when large full-service casinos opened in neighboring states, but the final nail in its coffin was the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act. Those just happened to survive best out of the rest. Becket Quarry is free and open to the public, making it one of the more interesting free abandoned places in Massachusetts to visit. Midget auto racing had exploded onto the sports scene after World War 2 and the facility had a track so it was a natural for the midgets to find their way to the Arena. Brooklands was the first-ever oval circuit and first-ever purpose-built track. Jacarepagua, Brazil. mod134 Do you remember any of these iconicrace tracks that madeNASCAR history? In response, the town has increased its police presence in and around the building. $499,000. Joe Ross, the "Lovable Fat Man" on the mic, had his hands fulling calling both racing and some of the more "social events" that the track was holding. Sadly though, the circuit is no more and whats left of it is in a sorry state. Racing dates were drastically expanded, first to more than 100, then to 150, and reaching 200 by 1976. Its last race in 2012 was insane, and one of the best races F1 has ever seen. Feb 17, 2019 - Explore Old Hippie Dude's board "FORGOTTEN RACE TRACKS", followed by 720 people on Pinterest. It is a field with a few buildings on it. In 1927 the station was slated for demolition, but Lawyer Henry Aldrich wanted the tower saved. It was a painfully slow 7 lap pit stop that put Wally Silva (link) in his black and white #107 "Shoemaker Special" in the lead. It's abandoned but now part of 'Greenwood acres family campground' about 7-8 miles east of Jackson Mi, just south of I94. The main reason for the closure was low attendance. A young driver named Pete Hamilton was showing promise this season. The Phoenix Trotting Park was closed just one year later, in 1966. 20 Abandoned At Sunset via fox8.com This track has seen much more life in its time than it currently has at this moment at sunset, where empty echoes reverberate off the lanes and stadium seating around the empty oval shell of a NASCAR hub that once was but is no more. You can visit the site by following signs and taking a roughly two-mile hike from the nearest parking. Motorsport has given us some epic battles, epic cars, and seen incredible drivers race into our hearts. Clinton Tunnel 42.4053, -71.6837 History: The tunnel was built in the early 1900s as a part of a four-mile track extension from West Berlin. Wonderland Greyhound Park is a closed greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts formerly owned by the Westwood Group. Like our previous location, parts of the movie Shutter Island were filmed on location in 2008. A fitting tribute to one of the most amazing circuits F1 has ever seen. The big daddy of the lot, the Nazareth Speedway remained in operation for nearly a century - beginning 1910 and closing its doors in 2004. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Its definitely a unique spot and is even more captivating in the fall months. By the 1970s, though, Rockingham began to wane. Instead of following the classic Kirkbride layout, architects designed the buildings in the New Cottage style. 2,075. These still exist and have been restored in recent years, even seeing occasional use during Valentino Rossis rally event at the track. Ponyhenge is by far one of the strangest abandoned places in Massachusetts. When the stock cars took to the track the following night it was Ed Flemke in the 21x that stopped the Slater momentum. He lost in the 4th round. It played a considerable part in augmenting Rhode Island state revenues, contributing $800,000 (more than 10 percent of the states entire budget) in 1934 alone. Dec 6, 2006. It isn't just the cars of NASCAR then can get abandoned. Each car had 2 drivers. The Limited Sportsmans only ran the 1963 season before being cut from the race card. Northridge Mall 43.18214, -88.01044 History: The Northridge Mall opened in 1972 offering many big-name stores like J. C. Penney, Sears, Boston Store, and Gimbels. We love talking about vintage cars and once-great models that are now all but forgotten. RELATED: PA's forgotten. Sadly, the theatre was closed in 1979 when the owner failed to pay back taxes. Today, the property is on the market and nearly all the windows are boarded shut. Slowly but surely, the standard of racing returned. The last race happened in 1971, and by 1986 it was closed. Theres a fence surrounding the tower and it[s possible someone lives on the property today. It was put up for auction in 2007 and soon revived. It was a matter of time before Norwood Arena would abandon NASCAR and come crawling back. I was recently told about 2 racetracks in South Jersey that have been abandoned for quite some time. As automobiles took the stage and trucking became a more optimal transport option, businesses faded for the rail line. The cut downs continued to evolve as they became lighter, faster and more dangerous. Carl Merrill returned a year later but in an official capacity. By the early 1960's there was a crop of drivers with last names such as Bacchiochi, Melnick, Hamilton, Savary and others, all associated with area. Henry "Red" Barbeau with six wins in the Devereaux/Auclair L1 looked to be heading toward the track championship but couldn't catch Fred Luchesi in the points race. Read More 13 Abandoned Places In Mississippi [MAP]Continue, If youre looking to explore abandoned places in Michigan, I got you covered. Local opposition is mounting following a vote by county commissioners to let a developer explore the possibility. He was typical of the local heroes who lit up Midwestern tracks every weekend in the middle of the 20th century. In total, 57 boys were experimented on. Some 12,000 spectators came to the opening day and wagered more than $130,000. This article takes a brief look back at some of the most celebrated of these bygone racecourses. Later it was for hosting four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races and its pioneering use of foam blocks used to lessen the impact of crashes, which led to the adoption of the SAFER barrier and was America's longest-running Saturday night shorttrack until its closing." 0:04. Upon opening, the racecourse was lauded as one of the most modern in North America. The Limited Sportsman Division was dropped. Today, they lay abandoned and forgotten. Karner got off easy with very minor injuries. The race was boycotted in 1969 before the old circuit held its last race in 1970. Constructed in only two months at a cost of $1.2 million on the 130-acre site of an erstwhile airport, Narragansett Park consisted of a one-mile track, a grandstand seating 14,000, clubhouse, judges stand, 270 pari-mutuel booths, and 22 barns with a capacity of 1,650 horses. In a random field, metal and plastic ponies form a circle and have been there for quite some years. i dreamed a dream piano solo sheet music pdf; texas vehicle registration; isaaq genocide timeline After infrastructure improvements totalling millions of dollars, it reopened again in 1992. Saint Lukes Hospital 42.39573, -83.0989 Kicking off our list of abandoned places in Michigan is the notorious St Lukes Hospital in Highland Park. The Best Abandoned Places In Maryland For 2021 And Beyond. Carl Merrill believed in bringing structure to the Norwood Arena racing program. these railroads along with Amtrak and the MBTA operate just over 1,000 miles of track throughout the state although during the industry's "Golden Age . For racing in eastern Massachusetts for 1961 the smart money was on Norwood Arena and NASCAR and over the winter, probably with a few nights of restless sleep, Merrill signed on to be the Chief Steward of Racing at Norwood Arena. Ginsburg became known as "Woo-Woo" because of the train whistle he used on the air as part of his collection of sound effects. The building is sealed shut and now features an alarm system installed by the new owners. On June 6th, over 125 cars took to the oval in a demolition derby. I'm trying to keep the information regarding the status of each track's site. That bit is owned by Toyota, whats left of the original is very much falling into disrepair. The open-air grandstand was enclosed, the grandstand and clubhouse were linked together to expand spectator capacity, and a new paddock and walking ring was opened between the track and grandstand. I'm an avid racing fan and amateur historian. With track conditions deteriorating over time, NASCAR called it quits and the Texas World Speedway closed its doors. Tickets were sold on a "reserved basis" with prices being $3, $4 or $5 ($21, $29, $36 in today's dollars). Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. MacKenzie lost a front wheel and rolled it coming off turn 2. It was dubbed by some as the leaky roof circuit, likened by jockeys to riding a bull ring, and was notorious for its corruption, yet the Massachusetts Fair Circuit drew crowds in their swarms. Mario "Fats" Caruso was in his second year of racing at Norwood Arena and new comer Leo Cleary was showing some promise, driving anything that was offered to him. Oklahoma's first dedicated road course. $1,999,999. It had taken less than a year to build and cost $1 million. Luck was on our side as the injuries were not serious. A protest filed by 2nd place finisher Rex White took a week for NASCAR in Daytona Beach to settle. The trophy engraved "The Commonwealth Trophy, First Place, 1961 Yankee 500, Norwood Arena, Norwood, Massachusetts" belonged to Zervakis until it was auctioned off by his estate in 2007. Plenty of scrapbooks and tall tales were shared. The authors are indebted to many sources in composing this article. RacingIn Offers Guaranteed Promotion For Local Race Tracks (6/25/2018) FEATURED RACING RECAP: Memorial Day Weekend 2018 (5/31/2018) 2018 RACE TRACK PREVIEW: Daugherty Speedway Shifts to Fridays While Improving Overall Fan Experience (4/8/2018) 2018 RACE TRACK PREVIEW: Kickapoo Speedway Adds Aluminum Bleachers, Scrapper Class and Mini-Wedges For . Dogtown Square is one of the more unique abandoned places in Massachusetts. Our Partners (413) 967 3560 | 58 W.Ware Road Palmer MA | info@palmermotorsportspark.com . Harrington made it back into the cockpit on October 24th to take the Norwood championship and witness Rue Karner perform a fiery end-over-end flip down the straight in his # 77 coupe. Cleary was able to run on the outside 3-wide around the entire track. The IRCOA owners/drivers believed they had the upper hand because they had "the show" and the support of local tracks and other local race organizations. Two minors were caught with beer sold by the track. By 1828 the village was abandoned. There was a new excitement in the air. Powered by Invision Community. Over the years repair efforts were made but all failed. Dale Earnhardt and Matthew Dillner tell the stories of speedways that have been forgotten, abandoned, and overtaken by nature. Four stories below ground is the concert auditorium where classical musicians would play during the early 1900s. We've found tracks across the country from as low as $89,000 to around $10 million, ranging from a drag strip, to paved and dirt ovals, to a road course. The 1/4 mile length and the high banks allowed for thrilling side-by-side action and some scary wrecks. These towers would identify enemy vessels and direct artillery fire from local batteries. At least there's still some tracks around. Opened in 1988, the Louisville Motor Speedway was a three-cornered track that did well in the beginning but later fell shortdue to the advancements that had been made on some of the other tracks. Wachusett Valley Riders Club Winchendon, MA (new 9/18/05), F1 Boston Braintree, MA (new 9/18/05) Note the red arrow pointing to a 5 gallon can and hose inside the car. The Victory Theatre was built in 1920 in the Art Deco style by early movie pioneers Samuel and Nathan Goldstein. The 24 hour race covered 3,572 laps (893 miles) through rain and snow showers. Dogtown settlement was a small area first settled in 1696. Its not everyday something like this ends up on our list. The dwindling interest in the sport, combined with competition with out-of-state tracks where slots and casinos had been legalised, spelt Rockinghams downfall. Paul Newman once rented it too. Today, not much is left of this old ghost town but strange boulders that dot the property. Henry Ford wanted this town to resemble early pioneer life and be a historic village that would inspire others to live the way the pioneers did. With the country much safer from conflict, many people took to the waters and other open areas to find fish, minerals, and other natural resources. The hotel offered beautiful views of the Connecticut River and surrounding mountain ranges. During its peak, Dogtown had around 80 homes and as many as 100 families. However, by 2001 it was inserious financial trouble. Given how long it has been since some of these tracks last saw a race, they have deetiolated almost beyond recognition. In short, it has become the Connecticut . It launched on Aug. 1 to a throng of 37,281 patrons, amongst them the notable breeders C. V. Sonny Whitney and Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, and Senator Jesse H. Metcalf. Once a horse-racing track, the Occoneechee Speedway became a NASCAR track in early 1949, till it finally closed doors in 1969. It also became clear that the local racing landscape was about to change forever. The mall began to, Read More 17 Abandoned Places In Wisconsin [MAP]Continue, Hunting for abandoned places in South Dakota? This design choice focused on more open areas for communal work, and eliminated the small cells of previous designs. Reims was one of the most fearsome Grand Prix circuits of the 20th century, its simple and fast nature led to many average race records being broken throughout its history. But nothing international since the last Grand Prix in 2013. Today the tunnel exists as a buried portal underground that ends in a dead-end. The finest horses raced there Seabiscuit, War Admiral, and Discovery included ridden by Hall of Fame jockeys such as Eddie Arcaro and George Woolf and watched by the likes of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, Louis B. Mayer, even the Crown Prince of Liechtenstein. It was a warm spring Sunday afternoon on April 16th when the track opened for a tune-up and hot laps session before the April 29, 1961 opening program (link). In the photo on the left, Johnny Kay is ready to run the heat race of the evening. And the crowds kept coming. The strike was on and Westboro would be their home in April 1960. We see this on ESPN today in a specially outfitted stock car but this was basically something to sit on while being minimally secured in the car at race speed in a race. The one featured at this location has recently been purchased and is now considered private property. Armscamp Speedway ran its final race in the summer of 1967, after 26 years as a mainstay on the Indiana/Ohio short track racing circuit. Take a look. In 2015 new owners announced they would like to rehab the theater but little progress has been made. The $5 got you a box seat. Angry fans crashed the gates and the performance was cut short. He was relocated and the town was razed in 1845. The 1955 season saw a mild decrease in attendance and car counts at many of the New England race tracks, including Norwood Arena. Windy Hollow Drag Strip, unlike similar named Windy Hollow Speedway, is no longer in operation. Today, it's nothing but dense woods. via Pinterest. The network of towers extends 75 miles along the Massachusetts coastline. The dam which is still visible today was designed to protect the area from water flowing down Hop Brook. Flying wheels happened often, but proved fatal to a fan on September 24, 1949 when a wheel cleared the then short fence and landed in the packed box seat section. The attendance was thinner than 1958. Take these 15 NASCAR race tracks for example. The same thing happens to things and places. Four laps ahead of the second place car, the fall Minute Man 400 looked to be another Bill Slater romp until he blew a right rear tire on lap 320. Lost Speedways: With Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matthew Dillner. Lyndal Scranton. He currently writes news, features, and listicles for HotCars on anything that has any number or kind of wheels. But one thing they all did wasto race on some incredible race circuits. Eager to receive its lucrative revenues, one state after another legalised pari-mutuel wagering on horses in the 1930s. This was the biggest stock car race ever held in New England. Dogtowns population would fall as the American Revolution came to a close. Those that stuck with the cut downs ran a two more seasons as a gypsy troop that ran any place they could book a show. The MBTA is home to a network of abandoned train lines, stations, and tracks, including the streetcar loop at Maverick station, the Court Street station (closed in 1952), the lost station at. Richard Petty won four titles, while Bobby Allison won three. If you want to go a little further, Seekonk, Stafford Springs, and Waterford too. On February 21, 1961 the press releases appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald and other local and racing papers announcing the signing of NASCAR as the new sanctioning body at Norwood Arena. Parents would comment that the school was barbaric, horrific, and medieval. Ironically, probably the best race the circuit ever saw. Several arson attempts were made causing minor damage to the building. So, its no surprise that the places that once hosted crowds of peoplethronging to see the sights they offered have also been forgotten and abandoned over time. Abandoned Race Track!This track is a half-mile oval with a quarter-mile oval in its infield, was one of the premier speedways in the Midwest in the early 20. Opened in 1969 and closed rather recently in 2017, the Texas World Speedway was a large race track,built ina state with a penchant for everything big. Noted racing journalist Pete Zanardi says that Westboro was the best Midget race track. The Hobby Division was an exciting back and forth point swap between Bill Schulz and Bob Melnick for most of the season. Today only 27 remain standing. In the Hobby Division points it was Bob Santos on top followed by Glenn Legere, Al Johnson, Mike McClelland, Paul Susi, Ronnie Roberts, Jack Lundin, Marty Bezema, Bill Darling and Bob Lord. Rd.Drive down road until you start going uphill.Turn at streets on your left and they might lead you up the mount. At one time, it was the world's fastest -mile racetrack. The bears may be gone, but their old cages can still be found. Browns Mills. I grabbed this off Google maps back then, but it's still visible on Google maps if you look for Greenwood acres. The area grew over time to encompass about five miles and offered good natural protection from pirates and hostile natives. During 1963 the northern section of the tunnel was redeveloped and ultimately filled in to support the new Boston City Hall that was being built above it. The race is abandoned and a decision is taken not to run it again at a later date The race gets declared void after is has taken place The race is moved to a different track What It Means for Your Bets In summary, then, if a race takes place at the same venue later in the day then your bet will stand if it was placed ante-post. It opened in 1965 as a flat, one-mile oval, and despite some good racing, it fell into an audience shortage. In the early 20s, silent films and live musical performances took place inside the Victory Theatre. During the 70s the theatre would continue to offer continuous shows from one until 11:00 PM. FROM speed to weeds - these are the UK's most famous abandoned race tracks. SPENCER SPEEDWAY 1/2 Mile Asphalt Race Track is For Sale (fully operational) 15. Norwood Arena, in particular, was growing and didn't need the cut downs. With the attendance averaging around 8,000 per week the Board of Directors decided to raise the weekly purse to $2,500 effective June 23,1962. With the IRCOA and NARA both on the ropes both financially and in terms of track bargaining power it was somewhat obvious to Merrill that neither organization would likely survive the 1961 season. These early low cost and less sophisticated stock cars (compared to the midgets) quickly grew in popularity and number. It was built in 1953 off of the Carlisle Pike and closed after the 2005 season. A new driver by the name of Jack Malone was piloting his #78 impressively around the quarter mile. The 3.8-acre site is the location of an abandoned 19th century . RIGHT - Red Bolduc (22) and Andy Anderson (77) pass low as James Lee takes out the lights, speakers and a section of the new catch fence. It was closed in 2002 and demolished by 2005. At the time it was prohibitively costly to keep the site in operation. No purchase necessary. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. location. There is, of course, the NASCAR truck series, and here is one that is all abandoned and forgotten. As at Rockingham and Narragansett Park, in the 1970s Suffolk Downs began to struggle to maintain its attendance figures. Without enemy ships, cargo could traverse to other more resource-rich areas for settlement. Leo Cleary came in second in points followed by Bobby Sprague. Even now, Spa is a fearsome track but it was more so in the 1950s and 1960s. Fats Caruso (Modified Division), Rene Charland (Sportsman) and Billy Schulz took first place in their divisions. We lose people along the way, move houses or cities, and leave memories behind. I-70 Speedway has had an interesting history. The Flemington Speedway opened in 1910 and was known as the fastest 5/8 in the United States. Rene Charland was 2nd, Ernie Gahan 3rd, Ed Flemke 4th, and Fats Caruso 5th. Hop Harrington put Bertha Small's #23 Sportsman (link) in the hunt with back to back wins. A highly recommended stop. (click here to see June 1949 Hussey advertisement), (Click Here to see Cars & Drivers Roster). Roger Babson paid was an economist who paid for this to be done. Hop Harrington was looking to extend his track championship title to three in a row. That concludes our list of abandoned places in Massachusetts, but that doesnt mean thats all there is to find. TEST DRIVE CLUB MEMBERSHIP : Whiskey Hill Track News . Many tracks have been abandoned or left to second-tier status. Originally built in 1888 the site was called the Experimental School for Teaching and Training Idiotic Children. Red Bull now owns the shortened, modern track and it now hosts the Austrian Grand Prix again, F1 having returned in 2014. The event that surprised many was the Demolition Derby that packed over 12,000 people into the stands. Living conditions for the children were poor at best, with many mentally deficient children scoring average on IQ tests. Dec 10, 2017 - Explore Marialyce Gregory's board "Abandoned/closed speedways/tracks" on Pinterest. In 1995, a. The track was known for being the fastest 5/8 dirt track in the United States. Parts failed on a regular basis, including wheels coming off. Soon, though, Suffolk Downs made its comeback. After a $200,000 facelift, Rockingham was permanently reopened on June 21, 1933. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Attendances and handles again stated a gradual decline. It was a dirt track at nascence and then repaved in 1987 for bigger races. $499,000. Due to the size and risk associated with exploring Medfield, novice explorers should view from a distance or plan extensively. Doc MacKenzie's crash offers a good view of the stock car of that era. abandoned railroads across the U.S. March 25, 2021 Jackie Ann What places in the U.S. should I see before I die? For now, he considers his Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Suzuki Ciaz, and Royal Enfield Classic 500, the three current flames of his life. Run by a eugenics advocate, this aging institution conducted secret radiation experiments sponsored by Quaker Oats. The quarry operated until the 1960s before shutting down. Othershave not done that. All rights reserved. The stands of an abandoned horse track at old fairgrounds in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 62. Today the property is owned by the National Park Service. Only the archive photos that exist of these tracks can remind us of what used to be. The Top 10 in Sportsman were Bill Slater, Fats Caruso, Hop Harrington, Leo Cleary, Wally Silva, Larry Antonellis, Zeke Eldridge, Jack Malone, Rene Charland and Hector Comeau. After being abandoned, a part of it has been covered by a mall. He was done with driving race cars. The Great Depression, though, proved to be Rockinghams unlikely saviour. Following the Silverstone Grand Prix which regularly draws more than 140,000 spectators, making it the best attended sporting event in the UK, we wanted to delve a little deeper into Britain's love affair with the race track. A specutacular three-alarm fire swept through the grandstand of the abandoned Marlboro race track late last night, destroying the 50-year-old Prince George's . The Friday night demo was won by Don MacTavish (link). As a midget and motorcycle track, it operated under 2 names: Baylies Stadium (1940-41) and John Cawley Memorial Stadium (1948-49) [The Standard Times 05/23/04 by Todd Baptista] A dirt half-mile northeast of Chelmsford, Mass. Of all the abandoned places in Massachusetts, the Belchertown State School has the darkest and most tragic history. This base was one of the first radar sites that served as an early warning station to detect Soviet bombers and air attacks. Former area race tracks fondly recalled. 2 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. This ended the rail service for that line leaving portions of the tunnel abandoned underground. The following Saturday night the track started the "Junior Drivers Club". A group of young men from Lincoln, MA did just that with their "Fertile Valley Rocket" (link). Mother Nature had her say and the night ended after the 5th race as rain set in for the night. Below are 15 of my favorite abandoned places across the state! During the 1940s the building suffered damages and was in need of repair. Minimal roll bars were often made from water pipe or metal street sign posts and boltednot weldedto the frame. Site of a famous 19th-century transcendentalist utopian community, now abandoned. He worked nearly every official position there was, including Flagman (also known as Starter).