Other Interests at the Race
Shop: We venture into car racing
In 1978, USAC decided to form a division called Mini
Indy, that would run before the actual Indy cars at
races around the country. The cars initially were
powered by a 4 cylinder VW air-cooled engine. The
following year the rules were modified and the water
cooled 1600cc VW Rabbit engine became approved. We
decided after running a few races in 78 with the
air-cooled engine, I would purchase a new chassis,
and prepare a Rabbit engine power plant. This was
our first experience with a 4 stroke engine and for
a new endeavor it worked out quite well. I adapted a
Mercury ignition system and also an electric
tachometer and replaced the original components.
At Texas World Speedway on April 8, 1979, Rich
Vogler driving our Mini Indy car, placed 2nd after
leading many laps of the race, and turning the
fastest lap of the race at 156.6 mph. I was really
pleased with this result as this was an entirely new
field for us to get started in. The 2nd place was
accomplished in a starting field of 33 cars, and I
couldn't’t have asked for a better result. We ran four
more races in the ’79 season, placing 4th at
Indianapolis Raceway Park and a final finish of top
ten in point standings.
Another project was building a midget race car with
a 2 liter Mercury outboard engine. After 2 races we
were advised that all 2 stroke engines would be
illegal. The 2 East Coast midget racing clubs seemed
to feel the potential of this engine would create
unfair competition.
After 31 years, the race shop was sold in 1987, and
I have remained very interested in motor sports
since that time.
A big Thank
You to all the drivers and people that helped during
the years.
Rich Vogler - Dick Odea at Ontario Speedway, Ontario, CA 1979
Race car Engine 122 cu. inch Mercury
Build for midget race car customer
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