Driver: Dickie Larkin
Photo Contributed by:
Top Photo: Bobby Ely
Second Photo: Brian Berger
Third Photo: Brian Berger
Fourth Photo: LV Vault.
Fifth Photo: Brian Berger
Sixth Photo: Mark Labrum
Seventh Photo: Krusj
Eighth Photo: Jim Halpin
Ninth Photo: Doug Olds
Tenth Photo: Hot Rod and
Photography Studio’s Emporium, Inc
Eleventh Photo: Hot Rod and Photography Studio’s Emporium, Inc
Twelfth Photo: Charlie Parise
Thirteenth Photo: Arnie Ainsworth
Fourteenth Photo: Steve Lloyd
Fifteenth Photo: BC Designs
Sixteenth: Larry Faulkner Jr.
Seventeenth: Larry Faulkner Jr.
Eighteenth Photo: John Gallant Jr.
Photo Credits:
Top Photo: Chuck Ely
Second Photo: John Libby
Third Photo: Unknown
Fourth Photo: Unknown
Fifth Photo: Unknown
Sixth Photo: Kustom Keepsakes
Seventh Photo: Unknown
Eighth Photo: Jim Halpin
Ninth Photo: Doug Olds
Tenth Photo: The Hot Rod
Eleventh Photo: The Hot Rod
Twelfth Photo: Jane Parise
Thirteenth Photo: Larkin Family Photo
Fourteenth Photo: Steve Lloyd
Fifteenth Photo: BC Designs
Sixteenth: Unknown
Seventeenth: Faulkner Family
Eighteenth Photo: John Gallant Jr.
The Back Story:
Top Photo:
Dickie Larkin with an early version of his famous #39, along with one crew member who looks like he means business.
Second Photo:
A very unique #39 Ford Falcon chick.
Third Photo:
The OTTOMOBILE #32.
Fourth Photo:
Dickie Larkin was the shoe of the McDermott owned 2 in the mid to late 70’s. Great looking car that really brings back some good memories. If I’m wrong, correct me, but I believe Mac’s granddaughter is racing the 2M in the pure stock division these days. In fact at Lebanon Valley and Glen Ridge Speedway.
Fifth Photo:
Dickie drove the Bruce Berger owned 606 when he was just a pup.
The Falcon came from the Martin Fruscienti Auto Salvage in Peru MA. Martin's nephew Joe Frusciente worked with Bruce, Ted White, Jim Depolazzo and Rabbit (?) This car was built on Newell Street in Pittsfield at Depolazzo's. The young Dickie Larkin reported that the gas pedal seem to have something restricting it's travel. The team investigated the situation to discover it was the floor.
He was pushing so hard he had dented the floor.
Thanks for the story Ted.
Sixth Photo:
Another great shot of Dickie Larkin celebrating a victory aboard the Bicknell chassis, Peter Rathbun owned 99. Dickie rode this victory to the 1990 big block title, his first ever.
Seventh Photo:
Did Dickie Larkin ever have bad looking equipment? The 5th all time winning driver at Lebanon Valley shows off this beautiful Vega station wagon piece in 1974. Early in his racing career.
Eighth Photo:
Here’s another beauty Jim and his Color Tricks operation lettered in 1988, the always immaculate and potent Dave Rathbun owned #99’s, in a shot taken at long time sponsor Pine Plain’s Auto Body shop.
Ninth Photo:
Back in the late 80’s and into the
early 90’s, Howie Commander was able to lure Winston Cup standout and true
grassroots racer Ken Schrader to the high banks of Lebanon Valley to display
his raw talents on a dirt surface. Ken
first hooked up with Mark Fluery in his back-up Folgers #25 car, pretty
convenient, since all Mark had to do was reverse his own #52. Schrader was impressive from the first laps
on in the foreign car, and was competitive, running in the top all night long
if memory serves me correctly.
Kenny really got the
hang of the Northeast dirt mods by the time he stepped into the Budweiser Rathbun
#99 in 1990, which was pretty convenient, since that was Kenny’s WC sponsor at the
time. Kenny ran in the top 5 all night (again if memory serves me
correctly)
proving he wasn’t there to just sign autographs and run some 8 lap exhibition
race, the man was there to
RACE!
Kenny Schrader went on to record one D.I.R.T. win, albeit on the D.I.R.T. asphalt series, at Sanair speedway in 1989, in a Billy Decker red Baron pizza #91.
Tenth Photo: Best
looking equipment at the mile that year?
It gets my vote, as Dickie warms up the Rathbun big block on the moody mile.
Eleventh Photo:
Dickie and crew push the
beautiful Bud Light Rathbun small block through DIRT’s treacherous inspection line. The inspection could sometimes be hairier
than going three wide into turn three at the ‘cuse.
Looks to me like Steve Nowakowski standing behind the Village Variety #99.
Twelfth Photo:
Outside
looking in shot of the too cool #39 Vega wagon
Thirteenth Photo:
Always in beautiful cars, fast and top of the line, Dickie
Larkin found himself aboard this sleek Falcon Bodied Sportsman car Circa
1973.
Fourteenth Photo: This has to be late 70’s, as the spectator division car #10 is in the infield, and I don’t think they really started until 77 or 78. However, I do really like this shot of Dickie and the ultra fast Falcon ripping off of turn 4 as the usual full stands on a Sat night find their way to their seats for another great night of racing at the Valley of Speed.
Fifteenth Photo: Picture looks to be from some mid week practice action. Sad, because I don’t they get that many people in the stands for their big event now.
Sixteenth:
Dickie gets a little help from his crew to get the Ford Falcon
#39 in position to run his heat for the 1980 Race of Kings.
I see two street stocks on the track, #39 is Bob Saddlemire, and looks like the #112 of Dave Baranowski behind him.
Eighteenth Photo:
Not sure of the story behind Dickie Wheeling this car,
can any LVC
regulars help us out?
Additional Comments: