History of the Middletown Pacemakers

• Pacermakers Hot rod club founded 1950 (or 1951). Charter members consisted of local hot rodders and oval track racers

• NHRA Charter Club, July 1951
• Member club of Miami Valley Timing Association 1952 (Hot Rod Magazine photo, 7/52. Harold "Mike" Michael, Pacemaker President.
• Ran reliability runs and roadside assistance program, 1950's.
• Repaired and maintained Middletown city air raid siren in early 1950's.
• Transported mobile iron lungs for Armco Steel (AK Steel) community program 1950's.
• Ran auto safety inspections in conjunction with Middletown Police Department throughout 1950's and early 1960's.
• First area drag race events promoted/held near Middletown, spring 1954 in conjunction with Middletown Police department.
• First custom auto show held at LeSourdesville Lake Amusement Park (Later Americana Amusement Park), Monroe, Ohio in June 1954. Initial event set park record for single day and weekend attendance. Pacemakes car shows held annually through 1965 and continued by other promoters until park closing in 1999.
• Member club of Southern Ohio Timing Association, 1956, Helped groundwork for local drag strip, which culminated in the building of Beechmont Dragway by SOTA in 1957.
• Campaigned a club project Pacemaker Special dragster for nine race seasons, from 1957 through 1965. Won national and regional drag racing titles . Set at least three NHRA national records.
• Book published on club history in 2002. Middletown Pacemakers, the Story of an Ohio Hot Rod Club by Ron Roberson, Arcadia Press.
• Pacemakers club is 2010 inductee into Kil-Kare Drag Strip Hall of Fame.
• NHRA Holley Hot Rod Reunion Justice Brothers spotlight award 6/15/2012.