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Origin of Swamp Buggy Days
Naples’ unique ‘‘Mardi Gras of Mud” began in a modest way about 19 years ago when a few hunters decided to test their vehicles before invading the rough and swampy Everglades, where alligators, deer, panthers and bears still abound. Swamp Buggy Days also honors the bold pioneers who cut homes and towns out of the cypress swamps and forbidding Everglades ...a feat accomplished in the face of obstacles seldom encountered in the history of the settling of the United States.
Ed Frank, long-time Naples resident, is credited with building the first swamp buggy...a model T Ford, equipped with truck tires and cleated chains. Today’s buggies are mounted on huge airplane or tractor tires and boast motors and drive assemblies powerful enough to push them through seemingly impassable terrain.
This year’s “whoop-de-do” is by all odds the biggest ever. Climax of the three-day celebration comes when the mechanical monsters take to the mud in a race un-matched anywhere in the world. The grueling “figure 8” track that winds through the treacherous cypress swamps has strategically-hidden potholes into which some of the smaller buggies almost disappear. The gumbo classic is run in a series of heats, with buggies matched according to power plants, type of drive, and sex of drivers. A free-for-all among winners of the heats decides the King. Winner of the Powder Puff Derby is proclaimed Mud Duchess.
RESULTS OF OCTOBER 1967 RACES.
Class Winners Were:
1 & 2 Cylinder Air Cooled, John Lange, Water Witch, Naples.
4 Cylinder, 2 Wheel Drive Under 45 HP, John Mc-Wharter, Go Goat, Ft. Myers.
Jeeps, Don Jones, Mr. Bones, Naples.
4 Cylinder, 2 Wheel Drive Over 45 HP, Jack Hatcher, Big Bad John, Naples.
4 Cylinder, 4 Wheel Drive, Tony Caruso, Co-Respondent, North Miami.
8 Cylinder, 2 Wheel Drive, Tom Callahan, Rabbit Habit, Hialeah.
6 & 8 Cylinder, 4 Wheel Drive, Paul Phypers, Ridge Runner, Lake Placid.
World Champion:
Jack Hatcher, Big Bad John, Naples.
Mud Duchess, Marlene Anderson, Big Bad John, Naples.
All Gas and Oil Compliments of Texaco Oil Company

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Special Events Swamp Buggy Races, 1968
Only five buggies are allowed on track at one time —four in the Powder Puff Derby. Entry may be made prior to the race. Entry blanks must be returned to Swamp Buggy Days, Inc., P. O. Box 1561, Naples, Fla. Entries will be divided into seven classes and chains will be allowed — no cleats. Tractor tires are allowed and all wheels must have tires that are inflated. Appropriate prizes and cups for each class buggy will be of equal value. Prior to the start of the race all buggies entered will be inspected by the judges and must meet their requirements.
Prize money will total 25% of gross gate up to $5,000.00, 50% over $5,000.00 as agreed upon between Swamp Buggy Days, Inc. and Swamp Buggy Owners Club. If you know of anyone who owns a Swamp Buggy that would like to join the event — have them notify the Swamp Buggy Committee immediately.
Sunday, February 25, activities are limited to the big races themselves which begin at 1:00 P.M. at the Swamp Buggy Track, located one mile east of the Naples Airport on Radio Road (Florida Route 858). Drivers compete for thousands of dollars in_ prizes. The Buggy drivers received $7,000 in cash prizes for the October 1967 races. lst, 2nd and 3rd places. were paid in the heat races, only 1st place in the class races.
A Powder Puff Derby featuring hardy lady drivers closes the races by dark.
Swamp Buggy Days is promoted and conducted by a non-profit corporation, Swamp Buggy, Inc., which 1s composed of representatives of Naples civic, service and fraternal clubs, who received over $4,500 in cash for their part in the October 1967 race. Swamp Buggy Races are held twice each year, in October and about the middle of February. Seating has been provided for some 8,000 viewers. Several thousands of dollars have been spent re-routing the track and improving viewing.
Tickets are $2.00 and $3.00— all seats reserved. Tickets are available at the gate starting at 9:00 a.m. and are also placed on sale at several businesses in Naples. Mail orders of reserved tickets will be accepted if accompanied by payment to:
Rachel Blodgett, Secy.-Treas.
SWAMP BUGGY, INC.
P. O. Box 1561
Naples, Florida 33940
OFFICERS
President.............. Allan McPeak
Vice President....... Bill Arbaugh
Secretary-Treasurer ........................ Rachel H. Blodgett
Publicity Director ................................ Erie L. Blodgett
DIRECTORS
Bill Arbaugh Macon Futch
Ernie Blodgett Bruce Mumm
Joe Belyea Georgia Pearman
Earl Hodges Phil Sowersby
Max Weston Lovell Meadors

[Cover]
World Famous Swamp Buggy Races February 25, 1968
[Photograph of a man on a swamp buggy]
Naples on the Gulf, Florida