Kingdon Dragway
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That track has been closed for over thirty years ! It was on the runways at Lodi Airport and was forced to close by FAA & the County as I remember.
Apparently this is a temoprary setup to celebrate an anniversary of the track.
Too bad...NorCal needs more tracks......it used to be a hotbed of tracks...
with Vaca Valley,Fremont,Half Moon Bay,Cotati,Sacramento and more....
The Little Lizard
Nitro Member
I was just out and about, and heard over car radio a few spots for this event. Nice to here Gar's name on the radio again, kind of like old times.
None
Nitro Member
The old Kingdon Dragstrip was located just East of what is now I-5 near the Lodi turnoff at Hwy. 12. It was ran by John Soares in the early 60's when I started racing. Two highlights of Kingdon are my first pass down the 1/4 mile and being pitted right next to Fuller, Zeuschel, and Prudhomme. Didn't have a clue who they were but Dave Zeuschel was friendly as I remember. I remember Prudomme as a skinny kid with not a lot of hoo hah (personality) at that time. But that was a long time ago.
I don't remember Garlits at Kingdon but I did see him a number of times at Fremont.
None
Nitro Member
Ran them all along with Redding, Lemon Valley, Nevada. Vacaville at night and trying to find the car in the dark. It either didn't make the turn onto the road track and went straight into the farmers field or his yard if it was a fast car. You had to be careful not to run into or over the car way in the dark and it was very, very dark out there. Shades of Chico Breschini, The Galli Bros., Argee,Sorenson, and the Burkholder Bros. Masters and Richter with Bob Haynes. The Glass Slipper, Chuck Poole. Jeez, so long ago.
The Little Lizard
Nitro Member
Don't forget my old boss Jim "The Lizard" Herbert, one of the most successful and historical drag racing figures in the history of Kingdon Raceway, Lodi California, the web page link titled "The Jim Herbert Story" below has photo's capturing the essence of Kingdon in its hay day,
The Jim Herbert Story
If you click on part two then scroll to part six of this story you may see some old photo's of me
The Jim Herbert Story
If you click on part two then scroll to part six of this story you may see some old photo's of me
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Fast Al
Nitro Member
One of my fondest memories, (and scariest) runs was at Kingdon, in the winter of 71-72. It was foggy as hell, and as I drove my B/G Anglia thru the lights, I went from 3rd gear to neutral and right on into reverse. The car spun a 360 a couple of times and came to a stop without a scratch, as there were no guard rails at that time. After a hasty underwear change, it was time for the first round and that's when my good luck changed----I got paired with Bob Panella the first round!!!
The Little Lizard
Nitro Member
Video of Gar in Swamp Rat IV, at Kingdon Drag Strip, Lodi, California, October 3, 2009, at the web page link below
YouTube - -Return to Kingdon 4- "Big Daddy" Don Garlits starts the Swamp Rat. Oct. 3, 2009
YouTube - -Return to Kingdon 4- "Big Daddy" Don Garlits starts the Swamp Rat. Oct. 3, 2009
willy
Nitro Member
Good stuff, Al.
Panella, who's that..LOL
I wonder how many others on this site have staged with Panella???? My guess is you Al.Thanks for being here.
None
Nitro Member
Don't forget my old boss Jim "The Lizard" Herbert, one of the most successful and historical drag racing figures in the history of Kingdon Raceway, Lodi California, the web page link titled "The Jim Herbert Story" below has photo's capturing the essence of Kingdon in its hay day,
The Jim Herbert Story
If you click on part two then scroll to part six of this story you may see some old photo's of me
I did forget him. The old M&M Speed Shop, Capital Speed Shop where we bought our nitro, and the unforgettable Shorty Leventon. I did get a call from the old drag racers home about Garlits at Kingdon, which I certainly didn't remember, and they now have a bed reserved for me. Also, Terrible Ted, whom my dad drove truck before he opened the speed shop. George Wulf and Harlan Van Dyke and their beautiful cars. Al Caldwell and Henry Walther writing for Drag News. The notorious tule fog that covers the valley most of the winter during good weather. Good times in No. Cal in those days.
