Wednesday, October 11, 2023

1970 – Pittsburgher ‘250’ to Bickerstaff


Jim Bickerstaff



Carnegie, Penn. (October 11, 1970) – Jim Bickerstaff of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, the 1970 Pittsburgh Racing Association regular season champion, outlasted stormy weather and a determined bid by Tom Colella of Whitehall, Penn., to win the Pittsburgher 250 at Heidelberg Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

The race had to be called on the 163rd lap when intermittent rainfall came again soon after 7 o’clock. The cars were on the track, running under the caution flag, when it was finally determined any effort to continue to race would be useless.

Rain had delayed qualifications and had forced postponement of two qualifying races originally scheduled for Saturday.

Bickerstaff, who had the second fastest qualifying time in the original field of 94 drivers, took the lead on the very first lap and was never headed the rest of the way.

Norm Benning of South Park, who won the ‘250’ in 1964, was second for 29 laps but then dropped back as he experienced mechanical issues.

Bob Senneker of Grand Rapids, Mich., moved into second place when Benning faltered and stayed there until he collided with the turn three wall on lap 107.

And then Colella, who climaxed a big season last year by winning this race, moved into second place. But, before he could get a good duel with Bickerstaff, the rains came, sending the 9,100 in attendance, scurrying for cover.


Results –


1. Jim Bickerstaff
2. Tom Colella
3. Joe Ruttman
4. Dave Sorg
5. Ed Howe
6. Dick Dunlevy
7. Ed Vanderlaan
8. Bob Carnes
9. Moose Myers
10.Carl Smith

No comments:

Post a Comment