Unearthing a piece of my family history, a picture from around 1953 captures a bygone era on Highway 50 just north of Smithton, Missouri. The image showcases Garfield Armstrong’s Skelly service station, a beacon for travelers on the corner where the narrow 2 lane paved highway met the gravel road leading into town.

The Skelly brand, recognizable by its red and white logo, dotted American roadways in the mid-20th century. Garfield’s station served as a vital stop for motorists, offering not just fuel but also a friendly face and a chance to stretch their legs and buy a soda pop during a long journey.

The picture adds a personal touch with the inclusion of a 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe “woody” station wagon. This classic car, belonging to Garfield’s brother-in-law, and my grandfather, A.F. Neumeyer, stands proudly beside the pumps.

The woody, had steel body panels that were painted to look like wood grain. This was a more affordable and durable alternative to the real wood paneling used in earlier models. While the exterior was simulated wood, the interior did feature genuine hardwood paneling and trim, adding to the car’s luxurious and classic appeal. Seating up to 8 people, it was a popular choice for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and businesses in that era.

While the Skelly station is no longer there, the photograph offers a glimpse into a simpler time. It’s a testament to the local businesses that once thrived along America’s highways and the warm hospitality they provided to weary travelers.

Learn how one of our member’s love of racing, fueled by their spouse’s passion, led them on a unique journey. They volunteered for SCCA race events, which eventually landed them a dream opportunity: working the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The story describes the experience, from the incredible speed and noise of the F1 cars to the camaraderie amongst volunteers. The author even throws in some exciting details about the F1 Academy (racing class for women) and the Porsche Cup (amateur racers with hilarious crashes). Overall, it’s a thrilling tale of checking a bucket list item by becoming part of the glamorous F1 world.

FORMULA 1 CORNER CREW

TO BEGIN THIS BUCKET LIST ADVENTURE YOU’VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND MANY YEARS AGO I MET MY FUTURE WIFE AT MY CONSTRUCTION SITE.
I SOON FOUND OUT THAT ALTHO SHE WAS RAISING 3 TEENS, SHE WANTED TO RACE HER TOYOTA CELICA. MY “HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE” MOTTO LED US TO LATER PURCHASE A MID-ENGINED PONTIAC FIERO GT WITH A V6 ENGINE AS A GO-TO WORK RACE CAR. WHICH THEN LEAD TO OUR PURCHASE OF TOYOTA’S ONLY IMPORTED CAR WITH A FACTORY-SUPERCHARGED ENGINE, ALSO A MID-ENGINED CAR. AGAIN IT WAS OUR GO-TO-WORK CAR.
THAT BEGAN OUR AMATURE RACING CAREER OF SORTS. WE VOLUNTEERED TO JOIN THE WORKING STAFF OF SCCA, THE SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA. SCCA SUPPORTS THE 12HRS OF SEBRING RACE, 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA, PALM BEACH GRAND PRIX, ST PETERSBURG GRAND PRIX AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.
THIS BACKGROUND WAS RECOGNIZED BY LOCAL FORMULA1 STAFF AND THEY ASKED US TO JOIN THEM AT THE FORMULA1 GRAND PRIX OF MIAMI, NOW HELD AT THE OLD JOE ROBBIE STADIUM IN MIAMI GARDENS.

WEDNESDAY, VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERED TO HELP AT THE WESTIN HOTEL GREETING WORKERS AND HANDLING CREDENTIALLING SUPPORT. I TAGGED ALONG AS HER BODY-GUARD AND CHAUFFEUR, I WANTED TO MEET THE ORGANIZERS.

THURSDAY, ALL US TRACK WORKERS REC’D A 2 HOUR ORIENTATION THEN WERE SHIPPED FROM THE HOTEL AT 10AM VIA 10-15 BUSES TO THE RACE COURSE. WE WERE GIVEN A “MIAMI” EGG MCMUFFIN, OJ, COFFEE AND A BOX LUNCH UPON ARRIVAL, AND YET ANOTHER F1 “TRACK ORIENTATION”.

LATE THAT AFTERNOON THE F1 CARS HAD THEIR 1 HOUR PRACTICE AND IT WAS EVERYTHING I KNEW IT WOULD BE!! 220MPH RACE CARS PASSING 5 FEET FROM ME, SO CLOSE IT FELT LIKE MY CLOTHES WERE BEING SUCKED OFF. THE NOISE OF THE APPROACHING CARS WAS A ROAR LIKE A TRAIN ENGINE THEN, PASSING WITH THE WHINE OF A JET ENGINE THAT LEFT YOUR HEAD RINGING. THAT NIGHT MY EARS WERE STILL RINGING. I LOVED IT!!

AND SO IT WAS, 3 MORE DAYS OF THE SAME. MEET AT THE EVENT HOTEL AT 630AM BUSSES ROLLED AT 7, EGG MUFFINS AND SUCH FOR BREAKFAST AND A BOX LUCH FOR NOON BREAK AND A MEETING.
I WAS AMAZED TO FIND THAT FORMULA1 SUPPORTS A RACING CLASS FOR WOMEN CALLED THE F1 ACADEMY. THIER CARS LOOKS SIMILAR BUT THE TOP SPEEDS WERE SOMEWHAT LESS.
ALSO RACING THAT WEEKEND WERE PORSCHE 911 CARS, RACING IN A SERIES CALLED “THE PORSCHE CUP”. THESE DRIVERS BOUGHT OR RENTED, THESE $350K RACE PREPARED PORCHES. IT WAS HALARIOUS TO WATCH, BECAUSE THEY INCLUDED NOVICES WITH VERY LITTLE TRACK RACING TIME AND PROVIDED LOTS OF STUPID CRASHS TO WATCH.
SOO..I NAILED ONE OF MY BUCKET LIST ITEMS, WITH A GOOD TIME ALL IN ALL.
I RUBBED ELBOWS WITH THE F1 ELITE RACERS AND ENJOYED PARTICIPATING IN THE F1 “CIRCUS” FROM AN “INSIDERS” PERSPECTIVE.
IT WAS KEWL.
TIM/VIRGINIA NUSBAUM

ALTHOUGH TAKING VIDEOS OF F1 CARS AT SPEED IS PROHIBITED FOR TRACKSIDE WORKERS, VIDEOS OF SPONSORSHIP RIDES ARE NOT. THEIR SPEEDS HERE ARE 125-150MPH 

YATC Class of 2024

This inspiring talk at our February meeting by Terry Routley and Charles Whitehouse, representatives from the Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC) explained how this local organization is empowering young people, ages 16-21, through hands-on automotive training, academic support, and life skills development.

Terry and Charles along with our own member, Sabastino Traina, who is a student there, shared insights into YATC’s mission and the positive impact this organization has on young adults in our community. We learned how they equip students with valuable skills and knowledge, preparing them for successful careers and fulfilling lives.

This was a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of YATC’s work and the potential it holds for shaping the future of their students. We were inspired and learned how this organization gives personalized attention to help develop vital life skills, academic skills, automotive skills and a promosing future to to local youth.