5 replies to this topic

[Gil Aubin]

Everyone was great helping me recall the old Slot Shop in Elyria, so I am reaching out for help with another memory from the late 1960s.  I recall that a raceway had installed "panic buttons" on the drivers panel so that each driver could make their own track calls simply by pressing the buttons.  I also recall it being a fiasco, everyone drove with one hand on the buttons and each race took forever.  Part of me wants to say it was Buzzy's in New York, but that part is very fuzzy.

 

Anyone else recall the panic buttons?

[old & gray]

I remember this story - at the start of the race cars head down the main straight, thru the bank, as they approach the Deadman racer JB hits his switch as the cars slow JB's car tips out. Race director looks at JB who replies "I felt it coming out"

 

The racetrack was Buzzy's. 

 

I wasn't there probably heard it from Russ and Mike.

[John Luongo]

Although not exactly the same as a panic button, if I recall correctly, years ago a track in Virginia that promoted NASCAR style hardbody racing always had a full field but not enough corner marshals. track owner added a "yellow flag" button at each drivers station. Once pushed, track power was reduced by half or less, allowing racers to marshal their own cars. Once back on the track, the racer would return to their drivers station and press the button again returning to full race power. Other racers would continue to make laps during the "yellow." He may have had a yellow beacon as well. Interesting set up.

[SpeedyNH]

they had a similar yellow flag system on the oval in the r/c shop in Nashua. i hated it because i didn't like being penalized for someone else's error. 

[Bill from NH]

Speedy, was this the same banked oval that was later in Loudon, Chelmsford, & then disappeared? I was on it once in Loudon.

[SpeedyNH]

probably. i didn't really keep 'track' of it.  pretty sure that you're right about it being in Loudon. Think they might've gotten the road course too. i never raced there (not impressed with track operator, plus it was kinda far from me) but i stopped in once when i was working at JBI Helicopter up on top of the hill to it's right.  i used to go there quite a bit for work.