Preview
Creation Date
Summer 7-23-1951
Identification #
OGL291-242
Description
Photographs and captions taken from the Grand Forks Herald at the Pushmobile Derby that took place on Sunday July 22, 1951. Captions for each photo are shown below.
Top photo: "THE HOST OF ONLOOKERS that viewed Sunday's Pushmobile Derby line the Eighth avenue hill as James Dehen and Thomas Berquam speed down the track in one of the first heats of the colorful event. The youths were paired off in two divisions, one for cars built this year of any design and the other for racers built to Soapbox Derby standards. The 650-foot track was specially groomed for the event, with festoons decking the center of the course. (Herald Photos.)"
Second photos: "COMPETITORS IN SUNDAY'S Pushmobile Derby are shown above just before manning their racers in the first round of the contest. They are wearing special Derby shirts given to them by the sponsors. In the front row (left to right) are James Cumming, Jerry Dubuque, Thomas Berquam, Arthur Belseker, Champion Roger Janssen, Neal Wentz, Carroll Day, Benny Wagerman, and Donald Aasen. Standing (left to right) are Francis Dufault, David Alger, Jerry Sabe, Glenn Knudsvig, Robert Peabody, James Dehen, Marvin Kosmatka, Donald Cumming, Darrell Orr, James Peckham, and Dennis Larson. Bert Nelson slipped away and was not present when the picture was taken."
Third photo, left side: "ROGER JANSSEN OF CROOKSTON, who emerged as the 1951 Pushmobile Derby champion, and his helpmate, Cecil Blain, 11, pause after qualifying time trials at the track to fortify themselves with food. Cecil, who lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., stays with Roger during the summers, and this year he assisted his pal in constructing the winning racer. The pair is seated on the winning car."
Fourth photo, left side: "THREE TOP AWARD WINNERS in Sunday's Derby pose for the camaraman after besting their opponents in respective divisions of the event. Jerry Dubuque (left) posted the fastest time of the afternoon (23.4 seconds) but was later eliminated. Glenn Knudsvig sits in the car which was judged the best constructed racer built this year. Darrell Orr (right) came out on top in class reserved for cars of original design."
Fifth photo: "A PHOTO FINISH IN THE FINALS of the Pushmobile Derby finds Roger Janssen (left) nearing the finish stripe inches ahead of his rival, David Alger. The pair raced to a dead hear in the first run of the finals. but Roger went on to defeat Alger two out of three to win the 1951 championship. Roger was awarded a fully-equipped bicycle, while David received a professional baseball glove as runner-up."
Places Depicted
Grand Forks, North Dakota
People Depicted
James Cumming, Jerry Dubuque, Thomas Berquam, Arthur Belseker, Champion Roger Janssen, Neal Wentz, Carroll Day, Benny Wagerman, and Donald Aasen, Francis Dufault, David Alger, Jerry Sabe, Glenn Knudsvig, Robert Peabody, James Dehen, Marvin Kosmatka, Donald Cumming, Darrell Orr, James Peckham, Dennis Larson, Bert Nelson, Roger Janssen, Cecil Blain, David Alger
Rights
Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks