As I pack my stuff up and get ready to wing westwards tomorrow for the 2019 Magic Dry NHRA Arizona Nationals, I am also excited to check out some racing history in the area when I touch down. There has been lots of drag racing all over Arizona through the years and the Phoenix area being the largest population center in the state has seen loads of it. Bee Line Dragway was one of the places that kind of anchored the sport in the area for a long time and it was an important track for other reasons as well. It was basically the AHRA’s Pomona as they ran their own version of the Winternationals there to kick of their racing season year after year.
In this video we are not checking out some big national event or some highly produced promotional film. Nope we are checking our home movies that were made during the opening day of the 1963 season and some action from 1964 as well. Guys like Johnny Loper and other well known names are featured here in their earliest creations. Long before Loper went on to become a funny car star, he had a bitchin 10- second Anglia gasser. You’ll see it featured here with its red tinted windows and short wheelbase.
There are dragsters, hot rods, and a ratty looking 1955 Chevy that seems to have some pretty good scoot. That’s the car owned by the dude who actually posted the video! Kind of a near tie in.
This video features a fun day at the drags, something many of us have experienced over the years. Watch!
The 2nd gear shift on the rail almost synced up with the squealing tires in “Dead Mans Curve”.
I was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you
i love old cars