Good read: SoCal's Famed Lion's Drag Strip - 40th Reunion of "The Last Drag Race"

[ocdart]

Here's a link to the story on NHRA.com of the 40th Reunion of "The Last Drag Race" for SoCal's famed Lion's Associated Drag Strip, known here locally as "The Beach". Back then during the golden glory days of drag racing in SoCal, every Saturday night at The Beach was like going to a national event today because so many of the heavy hitters of the sport were right here in the local area.
Great stories from some of biggest names from back then that are still with us: Mike Kuhl, Roland Leong, Tom "Mongoose" McEwen, Ed Pink, Don "Snake" Prudhomme, Jim Dunn, "Bones" Balogh, John Ewald, Tommy Ivo, and Gary Cochran.

http://www.nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/


If you're a a history buff like me or just interested in the beginnings of your favorite motorsport, here's a couple more links to Part 1 and Part 2 of a good read (only meant for historical value as these are 2003 articles):

http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/hrdp_0309_lost_dragstrips_of_so_cal/viewall.html

http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/hrdp_0310_lost_dragstrips_of_so_cal/viewall.html


Enjoy!!!

 

[Abodybomber]

Thanks,for the post!

 

[69DARTS]

x2

 

[ocdart]

a little bump for the weekend readers

 

[67Dart273]

Thanks good read, but the HR article is WAY out of date. I used to go to Carlsbad, example, on Sat nights when I was stationed at Miramar, and according to the HR article (2003) it is still there, but according to this website:

http://www.savecarlsbadraceway.com/

was dozed over for development in '05

Likewise San Fernando. It didn't take me long to find the track from the author's description, but it appears that massive construction is going on in the immediate area, and while the actual track area is "somewhat intact" the surrounding area is certainly not.

So............while VERY interesting...............much of this appears to be really out of date and incorrect due to time.

In my younger days, I was at Deer Park WA, long gone, and Gainsville, FL while going to a Navy RADAR school at Glynco, GA, also now gone. Our schooling was in the old WWII wood blimp hangers.

Then while in CA, Orange County, Lions, Carlsbad. A friend tried to get me to go to "some neat little strip he found" and it might have been Ramona, but I just don't remember. That would have been 70-74