The Wood Collection

Thanks to Bill Wood of Fort Scott, Kansas for sharing these photos from the 1930s.  Most of the photos document the career of Bill’s dad, Jimmy Wood, who raced both big cars and midgets in South Dakota and neighboring states.  Wood raced some with the IMCA but most of the time with groups that would have to be described as “outlaw outlaw”.  Wood won more than his share of races in both the big cars and midgets.  Many of the photos are “snapshots” and apparently were taken by Jimmy and his wife, Helen.  Thanks to them, and the kindness of Bill Wood, a bit of real dirt track racing is preserved.

Don Radbruch

 

Jimmy and Helen Wood at Sioux Falls, South Dakota – c1932

 

 

 

 

 

Helen Wood at West Sioux Falls Speedway, Sioux Falls, South Dakota – c1931

 

 

 

Jimmy Wood’s #13 on display in front of Montgomery Wards in Minot, North Dakota - 1936

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Wood at Sioux Falls, South Dakota – c1937

 

 

 

Jimmy Wood at Sioux Falls, South Dakota – c1937

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Wood in a midget with car owners C. M. Wold and Albert Bobb at Sioux City, Iowa – c1937

 

 

 

 

Ray Hebert in an Oakland V8 at Renner, South Dakota - c1933

 

 

 

 

 

  Clair Cotter of Albert Lea, Minnesota, in a Riley two-port – c1939

 

 

 

 
Troy Pigg of Beatrice, Nebraska lost his life in a racing accident

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Sands of Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

 

 

 
Archie Powell of Galesburg, Illinois 

 

 

 

 

 

 Al Sweeney of Chicago, Illinois

 

Buddy Calloway of Miami, Florida – c1936

 

 

 

 

 

Howard Hillis’ SR Frontenac – c1934

 

 

 

Bob Green of Orlando, Florida

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Slattery at St. Paul, Minnesota – c1937

 

 

 

“Wild Pete” Petersam in the Rudy Kruck Chevrolet – c1932

 

 

 

 

 

Claude “Jinx” Phillips of Sioux City, Iowa, lost his life while competing at Ottumwa, Iowa in 1936

 

 

 

Eddie Bergman in the Wood Riley four-port – c1938

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Hebert of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, lost his life in an racing accident

 

 

 

Harry Beckett standing beside Tiny Gilbert

 

 

 

 

 

Besides running a “Thrill Show”, Smoney Harris of St. Paul, Minnesota, was also one of the few black race car drivers to compete in the 1930s

 

 

 

Arlin Lake of St. Paul, Minnesota with a Miller Schofield – c1939

 

 

 

 

 

Lloyd Axle of Denver, Colorado at Ord, Nebraska – c1938

 

 

 

Mac Gilbreath at the Fargo State Fair, Fargo, North Dakota – c1938

 

 

 

 

Harry McQuinn, left, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the Marchese Miller at Ord, Nebraska – c1938

 

 

 

Lewis Pearson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota with Helen Wood and a car he wrecked at West Sioux Falls Speedway – c1938

 

 

 

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota - c1937

 

 

 

Midgets lined up for a Australian Pursuit at Steven, South Dakota – c1937

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank You

To Don Radbruch