A Little MVSC History

The Mississippi Valley Speed Club Stock Cars was formed at a meeting in Mt Pleasant. As far as I can discern the MVSC formed in about 1960 and ended in 1973. Up until 1965 the cars had to be pre 1948 (called Jalopies and Coupes). Then in 1966 the cars could now be as new as 1957. Then later in a few years the cars could be newer still. I know in 1973 they had two classes , the Super Stocks and the Street Stocks. Fred Coleberg let me know- "

Harlan Jackson actually promoted races at CJ in 1974 under the MVSC banner. Even though it was a shell of its former self."

Most of their races were at two dirt tracks.

1. The Louisa County Fairgrounds, on the edge of Columbus Junction, Iowa

2. The Muscatine County Fairgrounds on the edge of West Liberty, iowa.

The usual schedule was Saturday nights and they alternated between the two tracks.

One Saturday night at Columbus Junction the next at West Liberty.

Sometimes they had special races during the county fairs, on Memorial day or Labor day or July 4. It was usual to have a fireworks display after the July 4 races.

Both West Liberty and Columbus Junction were at that time 1/2 mile dirt tracks. (I know the Columbus Junction Track was made smaller years later and is not a 1/2 mile now) I remember being told that going around the outside of West Liberty was the same distance as going around the inside of Columbus Junction.

Above- 1961 in West Liberty

A few times they races at other locations. Gale Reed shares this memory-

"They raced at the Henry County Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa on 1 or 2 times a year.

The track was at what is now the Midwest Old Threshers grounds. The grandstands at the Old Threshers grounds is the same one that we sat in at the races, unless it has been replaced by a newer structure since I was last there. The high school football field was inside the racetrack and the baseball diamond was inside turn 3 & 4 with the wooden stands for baseball inside turn 4 creating a blind spot. All race cars were cramed into a small pit area inside turns 1 & 2.

They also raced at least once a year at the old fairgrounds 1/2 mile track in Burlington. Neither of these tracks still exist but last time I was at Mt Pleasant you could still make out most of the old race track.

I know they raced the 57 cars at Mt Pleasant a time or two but I do not think they ever did at Burlington."

Gale Reed

MVSC Cars/Drivers Some of the Best in the State

The MVSC cars and drivers were some of the best in the State of Iowa. And we all know that Iowa had some of the best stock car drivers in the USA! You can read more here about how the MVSC guys did at the Iowa State Fair Super Stock Championships:

http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2012/12/the-iowa-state-super-stock-championships.html