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Letter To The EditorEditor: The GazetteTo the Fans of the “44** atGaylandMarlin Watkins, driver of Car “44”, wants to let all the fans of the “44” know why he will no longer be seen at the Gayland Speedway. In the Winter of 1972 there was a meeting held by Mr. Whetstone for the owners and drivers. This meeting was held by Mr. Whetstone - to draw up rules for the coming racing season. At this meeting, it was ruled that the wheelbase for a novice car could be 108 inches and that only an automobile rear-end was legal. As you fans of the “44” know, we won the point championship in the summer of 1973 at the Gayland, at which time I drove a 1961 FORD. During that summer the crew of the “44” went to work and built me a new Ford Mustang. The Mustang appeared on the track for the last three races run at Gayland in 1973. The car has a wheelbase of 108 inches, an automobile rear-end, and everything else called for by the spec’s, we the drivers and owners set.Well, that Mustang sure must have scared Baby Whetstone because in the Winter of 1973 Papa Whetstone had a meeting for the 1974 racing season, Attending this meeting was Mama, Papa, and Baby Whetstone, no owners, no drivers, just the Whetstone’s. The, Wheelbase now has to be 112 inches and any rear-end is legal. In the summer of 1974 out comes Baby Whetstone driving a Chevelle that the rules were made to fit. The Chevelle was seen before in 1973 trying to run with the semi-lates, but just couldn’t make it.Well for all the fans who enjoy seeing the “44” run, come to Bedford, Hesston or Jennerstown; we are doing fine without the Gayland Speedway. I wonder if me being the point champion in 1973 has anything to do with me not running or is it because I drive a F-O-R-D. I .also..wonder if this is any way to run a race track; I sure don’t think so.Yours truly,. , Marlin Watkins
Newspaper Details
Bedford Inquirer
Bedford, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Jul 12, 1974
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
PA, USA 23 Oct 2019
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