The Gold Agency

The Mission: To research, record and preserve the personal histories of the young people from here in the Fox Valley, the Midwest, who played a vital role in merging land speed racing and hot rodding creating modern drag racing. And simultaneously noting the positive benefits that accrued to the lives and avocations of these young people by the very nature of their activities and labors at the track. Jay Thompson

Every profession has its secrets . . . if it hadn't it wouldn't be a profession. - SAKI (H. H. Munro) 1870-1916 British short-story writer and journalist

To: Bob Doss, Among many things I need to learn about is the? Coca Cola Cavalcade of Stars, the Gold Agency's life cycle, how you got in the business, and the Top Twenty events (that probably preceded you)?

- Sincerely, Jay

To: Jay, The cavalcade was Ben's idea .. he flew to Atlanta and pitched Coke .. Our booking agent Ira Lichey took it from there .. assembled a team of cars Starters were Dale Pulte driving Mickey Thompson's Mustang, Fred Goeske and his Hemi Cuda, Kelly Chadwick.. the flying professor (school teacher) Chevelle .. Dickie Harrell Chevy II, Dick Borgouise AMC Javelin, Marv Eldridge Fiberglass Trends Corvette. Bobby Woods from Alabama and several others. Biggest events were always opening days ... up to 6-700 cars racing .. the pits muddy .. track slick .. we raced into the dark some early season events . The Cavalcade was a big draw .. Wheelstanders .. Bill Maverick Goldens Little Red Wagon .. the Hurst hemi under Glass ... the 5 second 300 mph Rocket car was also a big draw . . .

- Sincerely, Bob Doss The Gold Agency

The ‘Era’ Exhibit at the Oswego Drag Strip Festival, Downtown Oswego. Fri 4 - 8pm, Sat 12 - 8pm, Sun 12 - 4pm, September 15-17, 2006. The next “Era” event will be held in conjunction with the 1st Annual Oswego Drag Strip Days that is September 16-17, 2006. The “Era” is an interactive, multi-media, guest racers, volunteer-enhanced exhibit recalling the 1950’s when young people from Fox Valley played a vital role in the evolution of land-speed racing and hot rodding to create modern drag racing. In fact we now believe that the Oswego Dragway is either the first, or one of the very first, privately-owned, purpose-built drag strips in the U.S. Note that for convenience the “Era” exhibit will also be open 4-8pm on Friday in addition to the Saturday and Sunday of the Drag Strip Days Festival in the middle of all of the Drag Days activities.