Originally printed in DTA JANUARY 2003 NEWSLETTER
The Denver Timing Association (DTA) is a car oriented club with a history that covers over 50 years.
Back in 1948 there was considerable street racing in Denver . There were several auto enthusiasts who hung out at a gas station at 17th and High Street in East Denver . They were interested in racing their cars..... legally. To this end, an ad was placed in the Rocky Mountain News (a Denver newspaper). The ad concerned a meeting at Wyman Elementary School to determine if there was sufficient interest for a car club and to work toward racing legally. The attendance expectation was 35-40. A tad bit off.... since over 220 people showed up for this meeting! Many more than the 40 or so they had hoped for. There was standing room only in the meeting room. Even the hallway outside had interested racers standing. Many notable racers from the Denver area wanting to legalize racing their creations attended. From this simple beginning, the Denver Timing Association (DTA) came into being thanks to a lot of hard work by the founding members. It was incorporated on April 9, 1949.
The club was, and continues to be, primarily a car club that doesn’t stress any one type of vehicle or activity. The DTA was represented by several sports cars, a few motorcycles, hot rods, and custom cars. Over the years, club members have participated in all types of racing.... from drag racing to midgets to sports car racing to top speed to hill climbs and virtually every type of racing imaginable.
The main activity at the beginning was top speed. The earliest racing was done on the Arsenal Road between Smith Road and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. This racing was with both State and Colorado State Patrol approvals. Over the years, several of the members have raced their cars at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats and have fielded competitive hot rods and streamliners in various classes.
When drag racing began, many members became very active in this new facet of racing. State sanctioned DTA drags were held on I-25 between Evans and Yale! This section of I-25 was completed, but wasn’t yet opened to traffic. Both the State and the Colorado State Patrol approved the use of this part of I-25 for DTA drag racing. Over subsequent years, drags were held at several places.... on a dirt strip in Colorado Springs, at Centennial Race Track at Castle Rock, and at Lowry Air Force base to name a few. DTA members have fielded some top dragsters and cars in various classes both locally and nationally. Some have held national records, and one member’s dragster was the top alcohol in the nation for several years running. It was world champion twice! Some feat.
During the late 50's the club became inactive due to family needs and a general decline in interest in car clubs. The club pretty much remained in limbo until 1994 when a few of the old members began meeting for coffee on Thursdays. The word of these coffee get-togethers quickly got around. Soon more and more old DTA members began showing up. Several functions took place during the next few years. These were organized and worked by a few of the dedicated original members.
In late summer of 1998, several members felt there was enough interest in the club becoming active. A general meeting of all known DTA members was held to determine if, indeed, there was sufficient interest to activate the club again. Again, the attendance was better than hoped for and the club was incorporated once more in September 1998. The election of officers and board members followed. By-laws were written and a monthly news letter was begun. Phone/address rosters were made and are updated several times each year with copies being mailed to all active members. It is no longer purely a car racing club, but is primarily a family type club with the emphasis being more social than racing. There are various activities throughout each year including car parades, a picnic, a dinner/dance, as well as showing their collector vehicles at various rest/nursing homes and car shows.
In April of 1999, the DTA held a banquet to commemorate the club’s 50th year. Invitations were sent out to all known DTA members (both active and inactive) throughout the United States -- over 150 invitations in all. The club was surprised when 103 men and women attended. There were hundreds of pieces of DTA memorabilia from club members to look at and jar some fond memories. It was truly a trip into the past.
Everyone is welcome to join the DTA. As of the end of 2002 the club had 101 active families. Membership dues are $24 per year (January 1 through December 31) to provide funds for mailings and other club incidentals. The $24 dues include both the husband and wife. There is only one general membership meeting a year at this time in accordance to the club by-laws.
Contact any club member for information or call Paul Garrigan (club secretary) @ 303-989-9628.