1963 - Two New World's Stock Car Records Established at Belleville

Dick Hutcherson

Belleville, Kan. (June 30, 1963) - Two new world records for new model stock cars were established at the Jayhawk 100 races held in Belleville on Sunday afternoon before a capacity crowd.

Ernie Derr, the 1962 IMCA stock car national champion, set a new world mark for a half-mile track in the time trials with a one-lap speed of 24.50 seconds. This erased an old world mark established in 1954 by Bob Peterson at Salem, Ind. Derr knocked .33-one-hundredths of a second off the world record, which had been 24.83 seconds, Derr, of Keokuk, Iowa, was driving a 1963 Pontiac. The world record is for dirt and asphalt half-mile tracks.

Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa also set a new world record for 100 laps on a half-mile track, as he won the feature event in 42:18.25. This record also had stood since 1954 and had been set at Salem, Ind., by Bob Peterson.

Hutcherson, currently in third place in the IMCA stock car standings in a 1963 Ford, and Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa, driving a 1963 Plymouth and the current IMCA point leader, fought a duel for the 100 lap championship here Sunday.

After the inverted start Stott in front and held that position to the 38th lap with Hutcherson right on his tail. On the 38th lap Hutcherson jumped into the lead for two laps then Stott pulled back in front.

On the 42nd lap Hutcherson grabbed the lead for good to go on and win the race, with his and Stott's car never more than a car length apart.

Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., driving a 1963 Ford held third place all through the race. Fourth place finisher was John Mickey, Columbus Junction, Iowa, in a 1963 Pontiac and Ernie Derr, 1963 Pontiac finished fifth.

Hutcherson and Stott lapped everyone in the field one-lap with the exception of Funk, the third place finisher.

The race was exceptionally trouble free, as only two cars failed to finish out of the 13 starters.

Ramo Stott, 1963 Plymouth, won the first 10-lap heat race following the time trials and Hutcherson won the second. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa, driving a 1963 Plymouth won the six-lap consolation race

Eight of the top 10-stock car drivers in the standings were present for the event here Sunday for non-money winners, which preceded the 100-lap feature event.