Eastern Bull Rings

1945-1960

Buzz Rose is an old friend to TheAlternate readers who will no doubt remember a number of his previous books including California Hot Shoes, Volume One and Two; Show-Biz Auto Racing, and Rim Riders, his history of the CSRA.

His new book, The Eastern Bull Rings, should really appeal, as it deals with the classic period of Eastern open-wheel big car racing from 1946-1960. The book consists of Forewords by “Buster” Warke and Sam Traylor. The introduction, written by Jim Chini, provides background information on activiteies prior to WWII and thus sets the stage for the books’ timeline of 1946. The Eastern Bull Rings contains five major chapters, which break up the 15-year time span from 1946-1960 into manageable chunks. This book follows the familiar Rose format that includes narrative text interspersed with photographs and period news clippings. As well, comprehensive statistics are presented on an annual basis.

These were the golden years of big car racing. Within the pages of The Eastern Bull Rings you’ll find text and pictures of the greatest stars of all time: Horn, Chitwood, Holland, Schindler, Wilburn, Wallard atc., all from the early days;Larson Bryan Jones, Foyt, Hurtubise, Branson and others from the later period; and through it all – six time Eastern champion, Tommy Hinnershitz. The legendary eastern tracks are well represented too: Langhorne, Allentown, Flemington, Reading, Trenton, Williams, Grove, and others.

The books’ ongoing narrative text provides general background, annual highlights and all the important events. Rose’s writing style is straightforward and folksy, and this makes for pleasent, easy reading. Vintage photos are everywhere and are excellent. The photography is mostly black and white; however, there is a 16-page center section that presents 72 full-color images of cars, drivers, racing action as well as reproductionss of race posters and tickets. The reprints of news articles chronicle the races, driver and owner profiles and cover the racing tradgedies of the period.

Something that is rather refreshing is that Buzz Rose expresses his opinion on events and activities throughout the book. This personal perpective, based on Roses’s years as a driver, gives one a better appreciation of what racing was all about at the time. We are also constantly reminded that as long as there has been racing, there has been racing polotics. Rose explains how infighting and lack of vision gradually diminished what was once the fabulous Eastern Circuit. In 1946, the big car championshipsin the East consisted of 61 races; however, 15 years later in 1959, the circuit was reduced to a mere three tracks offering six events.

The Eastern Bullrings needed to be written. It is interesting, well researched and the photography alone makes it a worthwile acquisition. It’s a book that surely belongs on the shelves of every open-wheel racing fanatic. And as an added incentive (if one were needed), Rose is offering a full-color art print of Tommy Hinnershitz, included for the price of the book – while quatities last.

Bruce Hiney
TheAlternative