On March 1, 1936 a sizable
earthquake struck the Los Angeles area. That night Roy Russing
won the 200 lap season opener at the famous Gilmore Stadium
before 12,000 fans. Russing won four more features that season
before the track was cut from a 1/5 mile surface to a 1/4
mile.
One of the top drivers on the West Cost, Russing won over 40
midget features during his career and compiled a record of 19
at Gilmore. Included in the Gilmore record was the 1940 and
1941 Turkey Night Grand Prix 150 lap races.
Roy also won the Pacific Coast Championship in 1940 and
’41 and drove for such owners as Barry Snyder, Don Lee and
Danny Hogan.
Russing purchased the first Kurtis Kraft Offy when it
was completed in March of 1946. The teal #75 would become
famous as the first Kurtis, but not with Roy Russing as the
driver. On April 7 and April 14th of 1946 Roy drove the car in
competition at Stockton, California. The next week while
driving Bud Rose’s car Roy was killed in a practice crash.
Roy’s widow, Jo, continued to run the car with Gordon
Cleveland as the driver.
