If you live in or around Elk’s County, Pennsylvania, you have something to look forward to this June, July, and August. After 10 years of waiting, there will be heads up drag racing on the 4,300ft runway at St. Mary’s Municipal Airport! Because the little airport is not federally funded and is apparently in need of cash, the idea of reviving the drag racing program has been viewed in a positive light and people who had participated in the past have been working hard to get the runway used as a strip again. Basically, this all came together at the right time and as is the case in most of these situations, everyone should come out ahead.

The concept for the airport was developed in 1944 and it was actually opened in 1950. It has always been a small place and from our research it seems that the majority of the funding to get the place built at first came from local industry. There’s a repair hanger and other facilities like a restaurant on the grounds now, but by the sounds of the story, the runway does not get a load of traffic. Because this airport is not receiving FAA money they are able to be more free with their runway usage. When the FAA changed the rules for airport runway use (affecting those airports getting FAA money) it stopped some of the flashlight and airport drags programs. From the sounds of this story, it was a management decision to discontinue drag racing in 2008 at St. Mary’s and now it is a management decision to bring it back.

Hit the link below for the full story and the dates where this will be happening. It’ll likely be runs for fun but how awesome to participate in the sport the same way drag racing’s forefathers did, right?!

Link: Airport Drags return to St. Mary’s after 10 year hiatus