BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

[cjforumadmin]

http://www.bangshift.com/blog/BangShift-Poll-What-is-the-Most-Historically-Significant-Drag-Strip-Still-in-Operation.html

[Ron Ward]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

??????


There is a startling omission from your list of choices:

SRCA Dragstrip in GREAT BEND, KS.

This was the ORIGINAL home of the Big Go!

C'mon, Brian.... cut us Kansas boys a break.


Ron

[C1BAD66]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Another strip that should be on the list: Bunker Hill Drag Strip near Peru, Indiana.

It's notable for the fact it's been operating for so long.

The poll does say, "Historically Significant".

[studemax]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Ya beat me to it, Ron!

How the hell did you guys leave this one out?
I mean, COME THE HELL ON!

[kelly andersen]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

I believe Cordova dragway should have been on the list, I think its the oldest continually operating drag strip in the country if I remember right.

[Ron Ward]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

I believe Cordova dragway should have been on the list, I think its the oldest continually operating drag strip in the country if I remember right.

Cordova: Home of the World Series of Drag Racing for 57 consecutive years.

Bret Kepner still announces the entire race from the starting line. He goes through his weight in towels in a day....


Good call, Kelly.


I realize Kansas City International Raceway has been in operation since 1967, but other than producing 3 NHRA divisional directors (Rob Park, "Chocolate Charlie" Harmon and Darrell Zimmerman), what historical significance does it have?


Ron


p.s. Brian, sorry, but we are pencil whipping it already.... My vote goes for Indy because I haven't been there yet.

[Shaff76]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

131 Dragway, now known as US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin MI

[BOOOGHAR]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

ive been to 5 of those tracks and KCIR has to be more important to me since my mom and dad raced one another there, anybody else say something bad about the track gets a nerf gun foam bullet to the knee cap

[Tom P]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

How about South Dakota Circuit in Guyana ? Been running since 1950 !

Their website says 1955 but 1950 newspaper articles show drag races at Atikinson Field... the current place.

http://www.gmrscgy.com/club.htm

Pictures at bottom...

http://www.gmrscgy.com/drags2010.htm

[Two Lane]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Out of the choices provided, George Ray's track is the most significant by far, because it *symbolically represents* the hundreds of local tracks like it across the country where most of American hotrodders & their families have raced, and/or attended from the beginning of the sport.

(Surprised 75/80 in MD, & Bristol in TN were not on list.)

[scootro]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Significant I don't know!? But old, nostalgic, and still in operation that would be Mo-Kan Dragway in Asbury, MO just outside from Joplin.

https://www.mokandragway.com

[RHBJR]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

I spent last year wroking a job just outside Milwaukee and was a regular at Great Lakes Dragaway.
Nice, family-run facility where they try hard to put on a good show every weekend.
Great people - track folks, racers and spectators.
I have visited tracks all over the country and this one, though old, is excellent.
Track is in pristine condition for the winter seasons they have.
I'm going to miss it this year no longer being there.

[69SS 350 5 Speed]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

This is a tough one. I really like Great Lakes. A lot of history there. I do agree that places like Mo-Kan are quite often overlooked because they never got big enough to hold national meets. Although it has not been in operating condition for many years until now, the strip at Great Bend, Kansas has the most historic significance with it being the first strip to hold a sanctioned Nationals in 1955. It should be on the list. On a side note they have September 13th blocked off as a day for Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week.

[studemax]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Although it has not been in operating condition for many years until now, the strip at Great Bend, Kansas has the most historic significance with it being the first strip to hold a sanctioned Nationals in 1955. It should be on the list.

WTH? Are you stupid?

The NHRA holds Division 5 races there, there are Vintage Drags held there every year, and they have drag races on a regular basis.

HELL, YEAH it's still operating!

[Ron Ward]

Re: BangShift Poll: What is the Most Historically Significant Drag Strip Still in Operation

Although it has not been in operating condition for many years until now, the strip at Great Bend, Kansas has the most historic significance with it being the first strip to hold a sanctioned Nationals in 1955.

I am not sure I follow what you are saying here....


R.C. Williams and his crew at SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend have worked their butts off to keep the racetrack in good shape. In fact, here's some footage of Ray Motes and RC Williams running their twin engine monster back in 2001 at Great Bend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OukwZl_vsg

Ron