‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway ‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway 'If Only Walls Could Talk': A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway
‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway ‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway 'If Only Walls Could Talk': A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway
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Alaister McFarren-
‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway ‘If Only Walls Could Talk’: A Celebration Of The Warsaw Speedway 'If Only Walls Could Talk': A Celebration Of The Warsaw SpeedwayThe Warsaw Speedway impacted many lives over its years of hosting races.
For decades, families would go out to the shores of Winona Lake to watch drivers from far and wide compete. Although racing no longer happens there, the history of the track is commemorated in Warsaw resident Kim Baney’s new book, “If Only Walls Could Talk.”
The book contains the chronological history of the speedway, spanning from its inaugural motor sports season in 1949 until the last night of racing on Aug. 11, 1998. It is 498 pages long, containing over 300 photos and numerous articles on racing results and other happenings related to the track.
Although Baney has been gathering track material for the last 25 years, it has only been in the past several years that she began compiling it in earnest. And she was no standard researcher – her long history with the track made her the ideal candidate for the task.
“My great-uncle, Claris ‘Hoot’ Gibson, managed the track from 1953 through 1978,” Baney said. “My father worked out there for 40 years. Every Saturday night, from the time I was born, my parents took me out there. It became a way of life for not only me, but so many other families.”
During her time at Grace College, Baney was able to work at the track and was later given the chance to write articles for the speedway.
“It all started with the seven years of articles on the track that I wrote myself,” Baney said. “I was the public relations director at the speedway. I posted racing results, advertising and anything else related to the track.”
Over the course of her life, she was able to meet almost everyone who had anything to do with the track: racers, technicians, writers and fans – she interacted with them all.
With the help of countless submissions and photos from past racers and local racing fans (including her 87-year-old mother, who served as typist for the book), Baney was able to craft a book that she feels accurately captures the heart and soul of the Warsaw Speedway.
Baney isn’t the only one whose life has been touched by the track over the years. While standing in line for coffee before answering questions for this article, Baney encountered a woman whose relatives had raced at the track. When she learned about the project and what all it entailed, the woman became ecstatic as she leafed through Baney’s copy.
Another time, Baney had recognized the car number of prominent racer Dave Darland on a man’s hat. After she inquired about it, she learned that the man’s father used to race at the speedway. When he learned about the book’s contents, he was brought to tears.
Despite the constant legal drama that continues to surround the track, Baney opted not to dwell on them much in the book.
“I don’t want this book to be about the lawsuit to close the track,” said Baney. “It’s not a sad story just because it closed. I want this to be about the memories people have of the track, and I want to commemorate the drivers; I want it to be a celebration of what went on there for 42 years and not what ended it.”
Ten percent of the proceeds generated by the book will go to the Tony Elliott Foundation, named after the late Warsaw driving legend - a friend of Baney’s from her early days. The foundation helps support young racers in whom they see potential.
Starting today, “If Only Walls Could Talk” will be available on Amazon.com for $27.95. It will be available locally starting on Wednesday at Elliott’s Custom Trailers (book signing Dec. 23 from 3-5 p.m.) and Buffalo Street Emporium (book signing Dec. 18 from 5-7 p.m.) Baney would love for past drivers to stop by and sign her personal copy of the book, as well as other copies for potential giveaways.
An additional signing will be held at the Warsaw Community Public Library Feb. 4.
