47 replies to this topic

[Tim Wilkins]

I found this track slip in a Vintage slot car box that was purchased recently at a swap meet. Made it all the way out to California.

 

 

[racie35]

You found my cars!

[John Streisguth]

I was there a few times, but other guys on the blog like Noose and Tony P actually raced there.

[Gator Bob]

Of course I do ... That was my 'home track'.

 

"Team Cresskill"

 

Funny thing is, my first 'pulled body' car was a GarVic Coronado it the exact same colors.

 

I would be interested in the time slip or box.

 

I repurchased a mint car, some how I still have the original box from the 60's. I kept my decal stash in that box but I cut a slot in the box top as my first 'tech block' and painted something flat black on it 50 years ago. 

 

Great find Tim!

Brings a tear to my eye to think about those days.

 

The Homans Rd. location was where they moved to and changed thier business model to include sporting goods after being in the original supermarket size 'slot only' store in the mall on Vervalen St.

[Tim Wilkins]

Hi Bob,

 

I tried to PM you but couldn't get through. Sounds like some good old memories. I know the feeling of trying to hunt down that first slot car purchase. I've already listed this on eBay as a packaged deal as I think it adds a little more value.    

 

Thanks.

 

Tim

[tonyp]

We raced there once in a GP7 race on their King track. Power was brutal, just about everyone blew up.

 

Only good part was I bought a Rubik's Cube in the hobby shop part.

[Gator Bob]

Tony, I remember you telling me about that race and the 'cube' too. LOL.

 

At both locations they used the original 'time seller' power supplies.

 

There were 'big races' on the King at the Vervalen St... I watched the older 'big kids'... yes, the pros and was amazed, it was like the old lap counter was shaking like a pinball machine.

 

I have yet to find anyone on Slotblog that remembers being at the original location.

 

At the Holmans location IIRC they only kept the King (upstairs) and the purple offset figure eight in the lower level as moved from the Vervalen St store.

 

The Aristo Hillclimb with steering wheels, the orange, black, and the red 220' Indy were gone. 

 

Like the Red 'Indy' I don't thing the Purple 8 was an American.

[Gator Bob]

I've already listed this on eBay as a packaged deal as I think it adds a little more value.

 
Thanks, Tim.
 
I'll go look for it.

[Uncle Fred]

I raced there...
 
NAMRA World

[Gator Bob]

Cool, Fred! Nice run, too.

The only thing is I've never seen the track in those pictures.
No 4 laners...
 
It was not in the Vervalen location or the Holmans location during the periods I was there, it may have been in the Holmans store.
I moved from Cresskill in '68 and re-found the new location in about '74.

By '74ish the only track left was the fig-8 in the lower level. Where the King was... it was all racks of soccer, football, hockey gear.
 
My return was sidelinded by something that smelled much better than 'Tigers Milk'.

Slots? Yeah...
For get a bout it!


 

[Uncle Fred]

That track in the photo is not the one we raced on.  It was a 220 FT Engleman if I remember correctly.

[Gator Bob]

That track in the photo is not the one we raced on.  It was a 220 FT Engleman if I remember correctly.

 

Oh .. then it WAS at the original location ... now that IS cool!!!

 

The pro race I'm speaking of remembering was on the King, drivers stand was backed up to the foot traffic control iron railing on the right as you walked in.

 

It was 'Red'... Fred, was the layout one of these.

I can't remember ... crossovers on the 'big track'.

 

[tonyp]

Neither of those are Engleman.

[tonyp]

Top is a Mr. Raceways I believe.

[Uncle Fred]

That's it I think.

[Gator Bob]

Top is a Mr. Raceways I believe.

 
 Yup - 300 foot Indy. The bank at the end of the long front straight was so steep that my slow/heavy Cox car would just fall off and land at the bottom. LOL.

That's it I think.

 Yup, that's what I remember.

[Uncle Fred]

I should have made the Main but that creep Gross showed up! 

[Uncle Fred]

300 foot? Are you sure?

[Gator Bob]

I thought it was a 220 till this ad was found and posted.

They must have bought the red and purple tracks from Mr. Raceways. The layout and split 4+4 drivers panel on the purple figure 8 did not look like any American tracks.
 
The King and the others at Closter were all American tracks.
 

[wjtaylor]

The pic above is the the one of the tracks that Closter had. This is not the Closter location, but it is this style of track.
 
The race that you guys had with the railing behind you was at the original location in the strip mall. FWIW, Rudy's Pizza is still there. Eventually the owners bought a piece of land on the next street and moved the tracks in. As the hobby declined, tracks were removed and hobby stuff was moved in. The King track was bought by Rick Elting, we are pretty sure. He doesn't remember where he got it, but this is the track that Emott bought.
 
The big track has been described as either 300 or 330 feet long. It was scheduled to be removed and put into storage but on the day the storage facility was not ready for them. No rain was forcast, but unfortunately it did rain and that was the end of that.
 
For Tony: Do you remember Ed Benadella? If you do, I had lunch with him and Gelman over the summer.

[Gator Bob]

How cool, Bill... you know that story. Been looking on here since 2011 for those who remember the original location.
 
Where did you live back then?
 
Might have a vision ... It's a bit 'foggy' on Ed Benadella...

Did he race with a blue service station type work shirt that had a patch with his name on it? Big dude... A main guy, too?
Or was he one of the two brothers that owned the place?
 
Shame about that red track.

[wjtaylor]

I grew up in Dumont.

 

Ed was not part of the ownership group, he was one of our better racers. What he wore? We are talking about more than 40 years ago. No chance on that.

[Gator Bob]

Bill, did you know a Pete Taylor, can't remember if he was from Dumont or Cresskill... up by the monument, he would be like 65 years old. now but was unfortunately killed on his motorcycle.
 
The race day I'm thinking of ...
Had who I think was Big Jim Greenaway flying down the chute, he might have won it. For some reason that day I was pulling for 'Ed' he was making serious laps up on green. 
The King was hard to get a lane on any Saturday... I went over to the big red track with my Gar-Vic and Cox stuff that day.
 
That vision was etched, the rest has been burned.
I was like nine or ten, you guys were mid-teens and up... big diff.
 
Don't know who sanctioned that race on the King but to read the race report would be a treat.
 
Here is a back story, now... who suggested that I shouldn't keep my cars in a metal box? LOL.
 
Team Cresskill R&C entry

[alainprost22]

A few thoughts...  

I remember going to Closter Raceway and hanging with Bill... I remember the multiple floors, but don't remember the tracks. Bill Taylor, Ed Bernadella, and Eric Hahn were the "Jersey" crew. At Teaneck Raceway, Ed and Eric were the fast guys. I'm pretty sure, that Bill had a TVR, at the time. Fleetwood Raceway and Roosevelt Raceway had the 300 foot Indy tracks. We use to run our 26D Comets, at that time. Lots of top end, light on the brakes. Our 16D rewinds were just starting out, but blowing up a lot.  
 
Ed Bernadella story...  Many years ago, my wife and I tried a Spanish restaurant in Northern Jersey. I kept staring at this guy, trying to figure out, where I had seen him before. Apparently, he was doing the same. After awhile, he came over to the table and re-introduced himself. We spent some time talking with Ed and his wife. Seems they were regulars at the restaurant. Ed and his wife live in Norwood NJ, not too far from where we are.
 
You bump into slot car guys, at the strangest places. You can't get away from them...
 
Al...

[wjtaylor]

Sorry, did not know Pete, but I am very familiar with the camp Merritt Memorial. My Dad was on the board of directors for many years. (Purple Heart and Bronze Star at Rapido River)
 
I don't really remember the old style cars you are talking about. I was just getting in late '67 just as scratchbuilds were just starting, as I remember.
 
Al: Unfortunatly Ed's wife passed away a few years ago. He had a friend who used to go to that same restaurant who also passed, so now he goes there with his friend's widow just as a platonic relationship.
 
TVR: What a stretch, but yes.
 
Eric lives in Austalia now.
 
Where are you? My mom lives in Norwood now.
 
Here is anouther real stretch, I talked to Jim Damerrell late last year.
 
How are things with you? I used to see Marty from time to time at Buena Park but finances prevent me from racing right now. I am hoping to do the $100 class at the Western States. Let him know, hope he can show.
 
Bill