In that golden age of Airborne Park Speedway, before the several periods of rough going in its history, one thing you could  usually depend on seeing was one or more of the Burl boys, with their beloved Studebakers. I don't know if all three were brothers or if they had a ny kind of working relationship with Bert Ratigan, the Studebaker dealer who was very active at the track, but the Burls - DOn, Norm, and Ernie - managed to field several Studebaker racers [primarily in the support class] for a number of seasons.


Source Unknown Might be a Bob Mackey Photo

This car was my first exposure to the Burls and their Studebakers. It was running in the Flying Tigers
at Catamount Stadium when I made my first visit to the newly - built track in 1965. This is said to be
Norm Burl's car [and it is likely Norm driving]. Bill Branham would also drive this car.

BURL'S STARLINERS and GOLDEN HAWKS

                    I am not much of a Studebaker afficianado, but I think Norm used to concentrate mostly on the Studebaker Starliner body, much like the famed Pete Corey car run at Fonda for part of the 1965 season. The black 7UP, however, turned out to proabably be a Golden Hawk. The cars, usually numbered 7UP, had an extra mean look because the sleek lines of the front did not leave enough room for the large radiator needed; so, Burl's radiators used to stick out through an opening in the sloping hood. I think Norm had this original white car and Don seemed to have the black one.

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
The 7UP looked a little ratty in this win at Airborne for Norm.
Bob Doyle  Photo via Cho Lee
The 7UP and Norm with a win at
Thunder Road.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
Bill Branham poses with the 7UP  at Airborne.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
The 7UP crew with the white
car. I don't know who is who.

Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Charlie Branham and Bill Branham, with both of the
Burl Studebakers at Airborne.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
The black 7UP looked a more like
a Golden Hawk. Can't see who is
in it.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Great shot of the Golden Hawk at Airborne. 		 Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Don Burl and the Golden Hawk at Airborne.  
  Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
Great shot of the Golden Hawk at Airborne leading Branham.  
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Charlie Trombley races the white
7UP at Airborne.  
 

BURL'S LARKS and OTHERS

                   The other Burl Studebaker seemed to be a Lark. This wads said to be Ernie Burl, and he drove a Lark, as well as preparing one for Don Thomas.

Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
This is said to be Ernie Burl.
Bob Doyle  Photo via Cho Lee
Ernie and the Lark in trouble at
Catamount. Wrecks like this convinced track management that the ARMCO barriers had to go.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
Don Burl, as speed with the Lark at Airborne.
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
Don Thomas with what is
obviously a Burl car.
 
Bob Mackey Photo via Mike Watts, Sr.
This newly - finished Lark is ID'd as Norm, but I bet it is Don Burl. 		  Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock
Apparently Norm departed from the Studebaker theme at the end.
 

 

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