Outreach/Service Projects

Tunis Speedway was a well-known Iowa dirt track racing venue in Waterloo, located near what is now the McDonald’s on University Avenue. In its heyday from the 1950s to the 1980s, Tunis Speedway brought up to 5,000 people out on Sundays to watch drivers duke it out on the ¼ mile dirt oval.

Did you see the racing at Tunis Speedway? Were you one of the hundreds of drivers who tried their talents and courage on those dusty, noisy summer nights? Come to Overman Park to view a free short  documentary featuring local historian Jim Volgarino and a collection of photographs visualizing Tunis Speedway and its 35 year history. The 17-minute documentary,Chasing the Checker Flag: Tunis Speedway|Waterloo, Iowa,is part of a series of historical presentations produced by Fortepan Iowa (fortepan.us), an Iowa photo archiving project of the University of Northern Iowa.

Then stick around to reminisce about Iowa race car culture. What was this culture about, and what stories can you share? Do you have pictures of those times? Come along for the ride and enjoy the memories.

Bring a chair or blanket. If it rains, the event will move to the Cedar Falls Public Library.

This event is sponsored by the Cedar Falls Public Library in partnership with Fortepan Iowa, a public photo archive of Iowa family snapshots based at the University of Northern Iowa.