The Missing Orr Trophies

Veda and Karl Orr are legendary Hot Rodders. They were among the early racers who took to the dry lakes of Southern California in the 1930s, putting the go-pedal down as hard as they could. Although the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) was formed in 1937, it was not until 1949 that it held its first speed trial at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Before that, men (and one woman) with a need for speed raced across the dry lake beds of El Mirage, Muroc, Harper, Rosamond, Evans and Dale. Even though it was dusty out there, it made sense. The dry lakes were flat and smooth and without animals or vegetables or minerals to run into.

Karl Orr was the first of the dry-lakers to make a four-banger go 125 mph, and he was also the first to exceed 120 mph in a ’32 Ford Roadster. In 1941 he blazed to 133 mph in a modified Roadster. It was awesome performances like this that led to him becoming SCTA’s Season Champion in 1942.