Fairgrounds Drag Strip

[Prunepicker]

Does anyone remember this?

[Jim Kyle]

Yeah, I remember that we had the Nationals for a couple of years right after it was set up, and one of the first fatalities in drag racing when a gas tank exploded during a run, but I can't put dates on them any more...

[Mel]

Yep. But I was a bit younger. Lot of motor heads running around them. Before he really got into that plane thingy Tom Jones had a BEAUTIFUL '32 Chevy across the street from my house. There was a Fireman a few houses down that had a rail job. Can't remember his name.

[ctchandler]

Absolutely, and I remember Bobby Womack (I think that's his first name) and his 1957 supercharged Fairlane 500 blowing away all of the 1957 Chevys in the superstock class. I wasn't a Ford or Chevrolet cheerleader, I had a mean 1950 Oldsmobile but with all the success of the 1957 Chevys with 3 two barrel carbs and powerpack heads, it was fun to see him blow them away. I think the term in the day was "eat their lunch". My best friend and I used to go there every Saturday. Well, maybe not every Saturday, but a lot of them.
C. T.

[Prunepicker]

Where are the LIKES? Have they been disabled?

LIKES to all who have responded.

[Jim Kyle]

This thread is in the wiki area, where there are no likes...

[Prunepicker]

This thread is in the wiki area, where there are no likes...

Jim, thanks. I wasn't aware of any differentiation in OKC Talk. In the
meantime I'm going to complain for the fun of it.

[Prunepicker]

I remember in the late 60's, after the strip was shut down, that some would
think they were beating the crowd from the Hockey games. It was so
funny to see them slam on their brakes just shy of N. May Ave. LOL!

[bluedogok]

My father raced raced there in the late 60's and (47 Ford Pickup with a hemi) and I learned to drive there as well in the late 70's.

[tfcedemoss@hotmail.com]

Does anyone remember this?

Friend won his class in Black 1955 Chevy. NHRA Nationals were there.

[okgs455]

Here's a Utube video produced by Hot Rod Magazine in 1958 that has some footage of the fairgrounds drag strip. It's about 6-7 minutes into the video.

Ingenuity in Action - 1958 Hot Rods and Drag Racing Documentary by Hot Rod Magazine - YouTube

[Mel]

Here's a Utube video produced by Hot Rod Magazine in 1958 that has some footage of the fairgrounds drag strip. It's about 6-7 minutes into the video.

Ingenuity in Action - 1958 Hot Rods and Drag Racing Documentary by Hot Rod Magazine - YouTube

Nice vid. Hadn't found this one yet. The glory days of the old gassers.

[RadicalModerate]

Here's a Utube video produced by Hot Rod Magazine in 1958 that has some footage of the fairgrounds drag strip. It's about 6-7 minutes into the video.

Ingenuity in Action - 1958 Hot Rods and Drag Racing Documentary by Hot Rod Magazine - YouTube

One of the most entertaining things I've watched on computer in a long time.
(i was maybe six years old when that was made. some things stand outside of the parameters of time.)

Thank you.

[DallasCop2566]

Can see in my mind Bob Womack of Dub Richardson Ford in that bright red 1963 Galaxie 500 fastback taking the Chevrolet 409's, then along came the Mopars and Ford and Chevy took the back seat.

Many a good time at the "drags" on Weekends----------

[ctchandler]

DallasCop2566,
Did you read my post #4? Were you around in 1957? I was gone when Bobby Womack was driving the 1963 Ford.
C. T.

Can see in my mind Bob Womack of Dub Richardson Ford in that bright red 1963 Galaxie 500 fastback taking the Chevrolet 409's, then along came the Mopars and Ford and Chevy took the back seat.

Many a good time at the "drags" on Weekends----------

[DallasCop2566]

DallasCop2566,
Did you read my post #4? Were you around in 1957? I was gone when Bobby Womack was driving the 1963 Ford.
C. T.

I did not begin attending the "Drags" until 1961 and more or less attended them until 1966 when I was drafted and moved to Dallas upon discharge. I also remember many a Friday and Saturday night at the "NOT SO LEGAL DRAGS" on North Council Road. Remember the C.B. radio equipped lookouts. Some very impressive racers, Walde's Willis come to mind.

[Mel]

Did Jungle Jim and Jungle Pam ever make it here?

[Mel]

GASSERS OF THE '50's '60's '70's - YouTube

Another vid with the OKC Fairgrounds Drag strip at the very beginning. The last race at our strip (on this clip) was a true test of horsepower.