History SUPER STOCK A/FX & Match race photos

Strip teaser

 

555 at Dover Drag strip




Nicholson & Beswick 63 Nationals Both were Disqualified

 

Taken at the Double H Drag Strip, carved into the mountains of north Georgia just outside Blue Ridge, in May 1965. Concrete blocks separate the track from the return road. I think Kaye's Auto Parts may still be in business. You can see this on YouTube (don't have the link handy).

 

Is the track still in operation?

 

No. It's an airstrip now. The Double H opened in November 1963 and existed maybe into 1967. At the end it was known as Lost Mountain Drag Strip. When I first saw it in 2007, it was part of a proposed fly-in residential development. It was the original racing surface with all the car-length handicap start markings still visible. It had been lengthened a bit at both ends. I put up a YouTube video from my 2007 visit of a drive down the track. The embankment where the spectators perched had been removed to allow room for planes to land. It was thrilling to see it. I've been back one other time, but couldn't get down to the track.

 

Thanks for the reply. I like going down south running at small tracks. If anyone knows about any obscure small tracks please post them or PM me. So far George Ray's is my favorite.

 

Arnie vs Tasca






At Green Valley Texas

 

"Arnie vs Tasca"

Not Beswick. As far as I know he never drove for Royal Pontiac . More likely Milt Schornak. Beswick's Little B's Runabout A/FX Tempest was the former Mickey Thompson/Jess Tyree car that later became the first Tameless Tiger funny car.

Roo

 

According to the site ARNIE was driving that day.

 

Well the site is wrong. I just called Arnie and he confirmed that he never drove any of the Royal Pontiac entries.
Hard to believe that something on the internet would be incorrect, right?

Roo

 

Exhibit A

 

Just look at the Tri-5 "gasser" thread here

 

Well I just post them as presented. The site says this day was a scheduled match race to show off the new Tempests but Arnie's tempest was not finished in time so he "borrowed" this one to keep his obligation to the promoter. I wasn't there to see it I was 13 at the time. And we all know memory is infallible right.

 

Well the "site" is wrong on another count because the photo is from the US Nationals as evidenced by this shot showing Lloyd Cox in the Mickey Thompson car facing off against Schornack. I was not there either as I was 14 and living on the other side of the planet but I was paying attention to the stories in Hot Rod Magazine etc. And Arnie's Tempest was "finished" at this time as this is either it or its sister in the near lane . His own "finishing" over the winter consisted of repainting the M/T car after he purchased it. I try to not rely on memory when things that I was not personally involved in date back this far but a quick google search (if you know what to look for) will usually corroborate what the brain cells are telling me. That said, you have to be cognizant of the fact that some of what comes up will be bogus and you need to sort the wheat from the chaff (as in Arnie/Match race). Just trying to keep the fact straight 55 plus years later so that myths don't get perpetuated.


Roo

 

Does anyone else find it highly ironic that someone who says "Hard to believe that something on the internet would be incorrect, right?" is posting this on the internet?

I know you love this stuff so google the photo go to the result for printrest go to the photo on printrest click on visit and it will take you to the site. Then tell them their info is incorrect and they should correct it. That will keep history correct.

 

Seems to me that someone posting information here on the HAMB, should be concerned about whether it is correct or not. Just sayin'

 

And Ron "Tater Salad" White.

 

Beswick's Tempest was a '63. The ones pictured are '62s. Arnie never had a '62 Tempest as far as I am aware of.

 

VA Twister 1964







Willy's Junkyard Dawg

 

The Honker with turbo

 

The beginning of the legendary Chi Town Hustler. Pat Minnick and John Farkonas ran this Mr Norm backed car before the Grand Spaulding deal went to Gary Dyer. (and that is a whole 'nother story) Judging from the U (ultra)/SA callout on the C pillar this shot is prior to the switch from auto to a four speed stick.

And this is the car that followed along with Austin Coil's involvement and the beginnings of a drag racing legend.
Roo