California State University Northridge Art Galleries is presenting an exhibition titled Kings of Speed: Ascot Raceway 1957 – 1990. The exhibit title says all you need to know. If you don’t “get it” you are either too young or were never into the most dramatic racing that California ever produced. I attended the opening reception and can show you just a little of what is in store for you if you can make it to the exhibit before it closes on October 13, 2018. The photo above is of the first Evel Knievel televised jump (and it happened at Ascot). It only seems fitting that today is the 44-year anniversary of Evel’s attempted jump of the Snake River Canyon.
The show includes plenty of race flyers, posters and programs (many on loan from the J.C. Agajanian family).An immaculate Harley-Davidson K-model flat tracker. This is artwork that moves my soul.I told Tom Fritz that when I hit the lottery, I’m going to commission him to work his magic for me. Tom knows how to capture the essence of racing in his paintings.This car is claimed to have produced 1000 horsepower (not that anyone could get that much power to hook-up on Ascot’s dirt oval). It wasn’t all that reliable.The show’s curator, John Parker, was extremely proud of Scott Parker’s racing attire. John founded Yeti Bicycles and sponsored a number of flat track racers. John is back in the bicycle business with Underground Bikes.These two Ascot flat trackers aged better than most. Jeff Haney (left) was one of Honda’s first flat track sponsored racers and Dennis Kanegae turned his Ascot racing years into a life-long career in the motorcycle industry.Jeff (right) back in the day with teammate Micky Fay. Photo from The Rider Files.Dennis, number 5x.
