• wb0s
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Topic: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

This track was originally named InSlot Raceway and was built by Kirk Smith in Milwaukie Oregon. Kirk Smith partnered up with Hugh Ellsworth to form InSlot Racing which produced custom slot car racing products. The track was purchased by members of the PASER slot car club and moved to Bob McFarland's residence in Aurora Oregon. Revisions were made to the layout and the track was renamed Checkered Flag Raceway. The McFarland shop in Aurora is where it currently resides pending the upcoming move to Vancouver Washington.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7331.jpg

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  • wb0s
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Thank you to Paul Kassens (Old Weird Herald) for these great photos and information:

"2004 InSlot Raceway / Checkered Flag OSCAR Club Track - Portland Oregon. A visit during 2004 USRA Div 2 Nats week at Raceway USA. Track owner Kirk Smith, "Bad Bob" McFarland, & local hotshot James Laconto, all from Portland. Paul Kassens & Craig Rieland from Seattle, with visitors Paul Sterret and the late Monty "Big O" Ohren up from SoCal... all took some hot laps with 1/24 Hard Body cars on the custom built 4 lane club track."

The track was originally built and located at Kirk Smith's house in Milwaukie Oregon.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04a.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04b.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04c.jpg

This is the original configuration of the curves leading onto the main straight.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04d.jpg

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  • wb0s
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

More photos from Paul Kassens:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04e.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04f.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04g.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04h.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04i.jpg

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  • wb0s
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Paul Kassen photos 2004:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04j.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04k.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04l.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04m.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/CF04n.jpg

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  • Goose
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Bill: Thank you for sharing the pictures.

  • wb0s
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Kirk Smith was kind enough to give me some old photos he recently found. The photos were taken during the construction of Checkered Flag at its original location in Milwaukie Oregon.

In these two photos are (L to R); Kirk Smith the original owner, designer, and builder of Checkered Flag Raceway, Hugh Ellsworth, Kirk's partner in InSlot Custom Slot Car Products, Steve Smith, and Jerry "Gearloose" Palfenier.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_2019NEW.jpg

Top photo: Greg Verges, one of the best builders and racers I have ever met! Bottom: Hugh Ellsworth, master electrician and computer guru. He was doing computer stuff for slot cars way before anything was on the market for purchase! He also did the electrical wiring on quite a few club tracks in Oregon. Hugh was an all around awesome guy!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_20190NEW.jpg

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  • wb0s
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Top photo: Kirk and Greg gluing down some braid. Bottom photo: most everybody's "good side".
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_201906NEW.jpg

Top photo: Added to the bunch is John Gill, fourth from the left, just to the left of "Gearloose". Bottom: A section of the track newly painted and braided.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_2019062NEW.jpg

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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Top photo: Looks like "Gearloose" is doing a little touch up work while Kirk, Hugh, and John are picture posin'. Bottom: Another interesting shot....some more "best sides".
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_20190621NEW.jpg

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  • Mitch58
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Re: InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway History

Cool photos Bill, I rarely recognized Gearloose, I've never met the others.