Really great stories last night at the Flemington Speedway Historical Society meeting from former racers, Ray Liss, Newt Hartman, Bill Humphrey and Tom Alfrey, discussing the old mid-70's Flemington Speedway Limited Sportsman days. Great stuff! Racing had so many great characters back then.

Ray Liss

Newt Hartman

Bill Humphrey

Tom Alfrey

Thanks for posting Jack -

Didn't know about the event, and would'a carpooled up if possible.

Good line up - I don't think a lot of folks know Ray Liss as a driver, but might not know about his fabrication skills.  The little Gremlin's that he built back in the mid 70's ("Liss Built) were pretty competitive.  I think almost all had narrowed Gremlin bodies (Ray's #10, Charley Marty's #74, a #96, and many others) and Bill Humphrey had one with a narrowed Pinto body (#123.)  Pretty sure the engines sat real low in those cars.  Ray said that he didn't have much of a motor in the #10 that he won a lot of his sportsman races in, but it handled!

I visited Ray a few times "down the shore" and he was always working on the next cool project.  Talented racer, talented fabricator, and I'd also put him in the artist category because of his creativity.

My favorite Ray Liss story (and I apoligize in advance for those who I might have told this too before) but about 15 years ago, Ray learned that one of his old cars (not sure how complete it was, but it was definitely a Liss Built chassis) had sold at a recent estate sale....  When he heard about it after the sale, for the heck of it, Ray asked, "How much did it sell for?" ... And whoever he asked said "75."  Ray excitedly said "$7500?"....  And the response was, "No... just $75." 

The best part of the story is to see Ray tell it, and to see him laugh his way through the punchline...  I think I told him I would of at least paid $80!....

Good, fun guy, and has done a lot in the past few decades supporting the sport by being involved with GSVSCC and FSHS.  Always a favorite here in The Vault.

Gotta love Ray! Bill Humphrey's one of the ntcest people you can meet.