f01.21.09_002_SCH_FLM_0061S

Photo ID #	f01.21.09_002_SCH_FLM_0061S_1
Car #:	#2Jr, 2, 808...
Driver (s) :	Chuck "Bunny" Schneider
Location:	Flemington, NJ
Date:	1961
Photographer:	Bob Farlee
Photo provided by:	Russ Dodge
Comments:	Senior Moment From Russ: Never a Bad Picture! A conversation at Motorsports 2009 this past weekend motivated this Senior Moment. I apologize for not remembering who I was talking with (it’s a shame when you can’t remember what happened a few day ago and I can reflect better on 48 years ago!) but the heart of the conversation was your favorite time in racing. I responded with Flemington in 1959. I’ll spare you the details of the great atmosphere, competition etc., etc that followed. This reflection took me to the Bob Farlee collection and the photo from 1961 posted. This is one of a very few photos from the 300 of his in my collection, that wouldn’t meet his usual standard excellence. However, even though it’s not sharp, it’s priceless. Chuck “Bunny” Schneider (his brother in racing is named Frank) is in the red and white 2 Jr., Budd Olsen is in the blue and white Jordan 2 and Les Farley would be in the 808. Note the inside guard rail and that there a trees on the outside of the first turn and the announcer’s pagoda is still intact. Flemington had atmosphere that “wouldn’t quit!” I force myself now to stop “rambling” about all the treasured assets that were there and deal with the reality. I know that my love for that period of time came also, from the “ritual” of stopping at the old Flemington Diner on the circle, the crazy dialogues and laughter shared by my brother and friends as we made the 140 mile trip every weekend I hope as you read this that you reflect on your favorite time. My “heaven” may have been little earlier than a majority of you guys but let’s all be thank full for our chance to experience it. The best of times will always be the ones you experienced. All of this to show that there are no bad pictures! Senior Moment by: Russ Dodge

Visitor's Comments		To add your comments about THIS PHOTO - Click Here
Date:	Visitor's Name:	Comment:
01.21.09	Doug Schriener	A great picture of a fabulous time at a fabulous track. I'm very appreciative that guys like Russ are around and are willing to share memories and thoughts of the best era in racing.
01.22.09	Charlie Miller	I to would like to thank Russ for these fine photos and great memories. Even though we never went to Flemington it seems we share a passion for the "little things" that made these wonderful times memorable !
01.22.09	Roy Schreffler	Not a problem with the clarity of this shot, in fact, I think I can see daylight under Olsen's left front tire!! Keep it up Russ!
01.22.09	John Polson Sr.	Looks like Bud Olsen has the Jordan 2 charging. Check out the front inside wheel as it appears off the ground. Seems like whoever drove the #2 it was always near the front. Photos like this always make you wonder "who won?). Also up top it looks like they are giving something away with all the cars huddled up.
01.23.09	John Fahey	Russ- Thank you so much for providing early 1960 Flemington photos. This is when I started attending races there. Please keep them coming. In the photo, could the blue car be Joe Csolak #16? Both the blue and the yellow cars look very similar to the 2 cars in the Flemington postcard on Page 4 of the 60's Vault.
01.23.09	Bill K	Used to make the drive down from Central New York several times a year to catch the show at Flemington starting in 1963. Stayed at JoAnne's Motel on Route 202, $10.00 a night. Never needed a reservation, often JoAnne would say "I had a feeling you were going to show up this weekend." Dinner at the circle, Chicken Croquettes the size of footballs, with a big pile of mashed potatoes and gravy, while watching out the window for race cars towing by on their way to the track. Sat in the first turn bleachers, under the trees. First time there the track was so smooth I thought it might be paved! Bob Pickell started up front in the Bryan A2A Sportsman Ford flatback and built a big lead. Al Tasnady charged through the field in the "Big Donkey" 707 but was running out of laps, then a caution with 2 or 3 laps to go closed up the field, when the green flew Tas roared by Bob to grab the win. The first of so many enjoyable weekends at the "square". Finally stopped making the journey after the arrival of the pavement, it wasn't the same. "Heaven on Earth" turned into "Paradise Lost". Flemington, a quaint rural town in the '60's, was now a tourist trap, the traffic was terrible, JoAnne's was torn down and a big new Motel went up there, and you had better have a reservation or you probably wouldn't get a room. The carpet in the diner was dirty, the Croquettes cold in the middle. As they say, "All good things..." But every now and then a great old picture from that era surfaces here at The Vault that takes me back, so many great memories...I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
01.24.09	Glenn Grafton	I was in the Air Force at this time and missed the action at Flemington for about four years. I do remember the 808 with Les Farley driving. This car ran as a sportsman against the modifieds and was always a strong running car. If I remember correctly, it was sponsored by George Manchur's salvage yard.
01.25.09	Ned Stites III	This is the Flemington I love the best. Pagoda in place, track the way it should have stayed, and the great field of cars and drivers that were there every week. I was probably in the Grandstand this day. You could almost walk into this photo and enjoy the times we used to have. Ned
01.27.09	Rich Guy	Bunny started helping me with cars when I was still in High School, and didn't stop until he died in 1993. Starting in 1978 Bunny started racing Mini-Modifieds with the old AMSA, and raced right up until his death. He won the club championship in 1981. I still miss him as a friend. Rich Guy
02.06.09	Roger McCloughan	This is also my favorite era from the "Square". There must have been a mishap on another area of the track in this shot, because the "christmas tree lights" on the start / finish line (remember these?) are red. Does anyone remember how, at the end of the night, how the track was coated with water and calcium so much that you could barely walk across it? You could also get very close to the action, which explains how great this shot is!