Originally Posted by
over4T
Probably the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds in Jefferson, Ohio around 1954 or 55. Me and a buddy in junior high school used to hitchhike (remember that?) about 10 miles out to the podunk town on Friday nights through the farm roads to watch the old coupes and coaches, most with flatheads or inline sixes and some with big for the day Olds, Cadillac and Chevies. One class and 60 or 80 cars on the typical dusty, primitive 1/4.
It was like $.50 to get in and we never had the money so we generally climbed a fence behind the livestock barns and make a run through the manure for the grandstands. Got caught about half the time and tossed out so we'd try another entry till we made it. The backstretch fence was along side a road and one night after being caught at our other entries we jumped the fence during a break in the action and made a run for the infield pits. Made it that time.
Usually didn't have much trouble hitching to the joint but getting picked up at 11 or 12 p.m. heading home was another thing. Not a lot of cars out at that time in the sticks and the rides we did get were often only a mile or so and a lot of walking so it often ended up a 2 or 3 hour trip. Much simpler times and a lot of memories.