Ghost Tracks.... (1 Viewer)

[Vince]

I love this thread, it's brought back some wonderful memories from my youth. The MySpace album mentioned in Kathy Fisher's post contained some photos of an old forgotten friend. I grew up in Dearborn Michigan and as a kid, my Dad used to take me to "Detroit Dragway". We actually attended the NHRA Nationals there, I don't remember if it was 1959 or 1960. I actually made my very first pass down a dragstrip there in my 1965 HP Mustang 2+2 back in my college days, I'm guessing maybe it was in 1966 or 67. Great times for sure.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread, it's awesome.

 

[Mad Mark]

Back in the 60's, my mom and dad used to go to Kahoka, Missouri to a drag strip there. Anybody got some info on where in Kahoka it was and any pics? Also, I have got pics of some cars at Lee County Dragway in Keokuk, Iowa, but I cannot find anybody who remembers where it was. Anybody got info on either of these?!?

Tri State Dragway. Neat article on DRO.
::rag Racing Online::: Then and Now - Top Eliminators at Tri State Dragway - 1/11/2012

Lee County Dragway.
Lee County Dragway History | Keokuk Dragway

 

[Jeff]

I've read this thread for the last 40 minutes, greatly enjoying it and trying to figure out how I missed it all month .... guess I should have read a few more digits of the date on those post! Really cool how many of the posters are the same people who contribute today.

 

[SoCal Racer]

Paul S.,

I also feel that the markings on the DIMS aerial photo are a bit off the mark.

One thing everyone must realize, with the exception of I-35...everything about DIMS was re-contoured...from the lake to the overall property appearance.

The shot you have is a little too close for me to tell for sure that the marked portion is the race track. I do know it was much closer to I-35 than indicated in the original post.

If you could find a wider shot...might be easier for me to spot. When I was traveling so much for NHRA for so many years, the approach to DFW took us over DIMS about 70 percent of the time. It was fascinating to watch how it was reshaped. Now, from that vantage point, unless you knew exactly where to look, you would never guess.

MaC

Dave is right on about the re-contouring making it difficult to pinpoint the location. Here is a topographical map showing DIMS from back in the day, and the same overlayed in yellow on a current satellite view.

 

[Doolie]

More Beeline Dragway.

The second photo is of the first tower. The one standing was built later.

 

[Jim]

Re: Ghost Tracks....Speaking of DETROIT

I saw this on the Factory Five (C*bra Replicar) Forum yesterday.
Great quality of film from the 1959 Nationals.

Ingenuity In Action (1959) NHRA Hot Rod Film - YouTube

Sorry if it's been posted before - I had never seen it - or anything of its' quality - before.