Golden Wheels was formed in 1975 as a non-profit organization by four racers, Bud Green, John Dalby, Pike Green and Digger Caldwell with Pike Green being the driving force of it's formation.
The object of this club shall be to encourage the preservation of the sport of vintage auto racing within the membership of Golden Wheels Fraternity; to promote and advance the interest of said Fraternity; to honor those auto racers who are no longer with us; to join in fellowship and camaraderie and to collectively render such financial assistance as possible to worthy distressed auto racers, ex-racers, their widows and orphans and accepted humanitarian associations. Golden Wheels currently supports Sunshine Acres in Mesa AZ, a favorite of founder Pike Green, where childern of need are helped with a yearly donation. Needy members and local charities are also helped at times throughout the year on an as needed basis.
Golden Wheels is open to anyone interested in racing. This includes drivers, mechanics, officials, and fans, both past and present.
Originally started as a social group, several of the original members soon had the desire to return to the track with the cars they had campaigned during their racing careers. This led to the restoration of sevberal race cars and the start of traveling to tracks around the Northwest, putting on controlled exhibitions to give the fans a taste of the wonderful sights and sounds from the 'Golden Age of Auto Racing'.
Golden Wheels' efforts to foster Vintage Auto Racing encompass Washington, Oregon & Idaho in the USA and British Columbia in Canada. Thanks to the efforts of many individuals, Golden Wheels puts on anywhere from nine to twelve on-track live exhibitions per year as well as participating in several static displays.
Over the years the cars in the Club have run the gamut from early 'Model T' powered cars (from the late 1920's) to late 1960's cars with small block Chevrolets and have encompased Big Cars, Roadsters, Midgets and Sprints. Currently, all cars must be of a design 30 or more years old, have no fenders, no wings, no wedge hoods and must conform to the style of the period they were raced, thus providing a cross-section of cars representative of the history of racing. Under these guidelines, the old 'bobbed fender' or 'jalopy' type that ran in the 50's and 60's, the 'hard top' modifieds of the mid-60's to mid-70's, 'Tipke' type roadsters of 60's to 70's and early caged midgets and sprints are welcome to join Golden Wheels and enjoy the fun and camaraderie of participating in the exhibitions Golden Wheels presents.
The aspects of promoting the interests Golden Wheels is served through a number of social functions and meetings. From September through May there is a monthly breakfast meeting where the membership can attend to Club business and have a relaxed gathering. These meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at Denny's, 155th and Aurora N., Seattle, WA at 10:30 AM. There is also a weekly Tuesday evening dinner - no host - for those wishing to simply visit; a simple get together at Shay's, 158th and Aurora N., Seattle, WA starting around 5:00 PM. Please feel free to drop by at any of our gatherings. Also complimenting these activities is an annual picnic hosted by the Club, usually held in September at a race track prior to putting on a live exhibition; the Annual banquet, with awards presented for the previous year and individuals are recognized for their contributions (efforts) on behalf of Golden Wheels, and racing in general, both past and present; and finally, a monthly newsletter containing information on current club happenings along with a variety of photos, clippings, stories and other mementos from the past.
While accomplishing the goals set down in the By-Laws, the members have worked to keep alive the history of Northwest auto racing and count among the membership many who have made significant contributions to the sport. Among our Northwest legends are Len Sutton - #27 Roadster -and Jack Conner - #65 Red Ram Coupe - in the collage below. If you grew up watching, are interested in or have one of the types of cars in the photo below, Golden Wheels wants YOU to join us as we preserve the history and present the past of our great sport to the racers and fans of the present.
