Seems as though I get a little bit confused as to what race tracks folks refer to when they talk about race tracks in Lakeside and where they were located; also, the location of the old Rodeo Grounds that many of us have enjoyed and even performed in the past. Hopefully we can bring to rest some of the confusion . . . er, not all of it, but some of it!
  A few of us remember well the old Balboa Stadium race track that Billy Vukovich was famous for locally. Many of our local race car drivers also became well known in past years, one was Gordon Turley. Gordon was an owner of a meat market in El Cajon. His early career in sprint car racing started in the late 1930's at Silvergate Raceway on the Coronado Strand; also, at O'Neil Raceway at 54^th & El Cajon Blvd racing a roadster. 
  In 1949 Gordon began racing under the S.D.R.A. banner running stock cars at the old Lakeside Race Track and also at Balboa Stadium. He always finished in the top standings and money. Finally they went to modified race cars and really began making money.
  Before going any further, the old Lakeside Race Track was not the one circling Lindo Lake that was associated with the Lakeside Inn and Barney Oldfield, noted for breaking the world Land Speed Record. The track Gordon raced on was located near the end of Channel Road, not quite to Lakeside Avenue, about a 1/4 mile west of the present location of Burger King. The outline of this track can be seen in the Lakeside Historical Society's Calendar of April 1994 . . . for those of you who have kept up with the old picture calendars. If Gordon is still in the area he may have a few pictures to share with the Lakeside Historical Society?
  Another racer back in 1952 was the popular Don Ray who began his career here at the old Lakeside Race Track. Don finally won the Jalopy Championship at Balboa Stadium. Don went on to make a great record for himself and was known for taking the high groove and knocking the dirt off the walls on each round. He lived in Ramona at that time. Don also may have pictures of the old Lakeside Race Track to share with us?
  Many of us were fortunate enough to have been entertained by these great drivers of the past. Since we were known for racing in our community maybe we should consider another track to take up where El Cajon Raceway left off? What say you race fans?
  I hope this clears up some of the locations of these tracks. There were also some rodeo's held at the old Lakeside Race Track. And we still have a few rodeo performers amongst us who remember the good old days, Leta Rasco for one. We'll discuss more about the Rodeo Grounds locations in the future.
  I would like to thank friends of auto racing Joel and Donna Blodget of Santee for helping me with this article; Donna for many years of keeping diligent records of past races, and Joel for all his time at both racing and helping with various jobs at the tracks.

  Our old church building is showing signs of a sinking foundation. Restoration chairwoman, Elaine Brack, has had our building inspected by a foundation expert and work needs to be done right away and the estimate is about $4000.
  There is a large sink hole under the store -- we think it was where the former out house used to be located. Many years ago the hole was filled in and the barracks building moved on the property to create additional room for the Sunday School classes. Nowadays the buildings foundation is shifting and cracks are becoming very visible and growing larger.
  Our September Spaghetti Dinner and October Heritage Days (former Home Town Reunion) will be fundraisers for the restoration of the foundation of the old church building. We need your help and generosity with this project. Please help support these fundraisers.
  Call the History Center at 561-1886 to make reservations for the Spaghetti Dinner at $10 per ticket and the Heritage Day Luncheon at $20 per ticket. Invite your family and friends.