History Some history from central bama. Circle and drag strip

I wasn’t aware of it either. The guys I know that would have mostly passed away.
There’s a FB page for the Helena Drag Strip. Not updated since 2018. But has a lot of Alabama pics


looks like a Dixie speedway pic below
Lassiter Mt


other local rides

 

A few more from the scrap book

 

C L . . . thanks Anthony . .

 

About Helena, one Sunday there, I saw a professional at work. Back when he was just Don Garlits, during time trials, he said he felt a rod knock. He lifted the front wheels of his digger into the bed of his pickup, got out the Craftsman hip roof tool box, threw a tarp on the gravel, crawled under, dropped the pan, changed one rod bearing, buttoned it up and won Top Eliminator. Just another day at the office.

jack vines

 

I Love Hot Rod History !

 

The black car with flames looks like Garlits
May of 59 at Helena


the other car was suggested that it could be Chris Karamesinas but not sure.

 

Here’s a huge collection of vintage race cars from the central bama area
https://public.fotki.com/alabamaracingphotos/modified_specials/
couple cool Rocco and Cheaters pics

 

Haven’t tracked down any drag cars associated with the owner of the srap book. Paul Robinson. Was informed by the Alabama Racing Pioneers that Mr Robinson owned Southside Transmission and that he built and sponsored cars.
These are 2 of them that was in the Album

 

Red Farmer still maintains a race shop at 92. He makes a few starts and laps at Talladega Short Track (dirt) to keep his streak alive. Saw him last year at Five Flags at Snowball Derby doing an interview and he was very witty. Says he still works on race cars everyday.

 

sounds like smokey's (younger?) brother!

 

I think his race shop is in Pelham Alabama (just south of Birmingham) and he maintain a modified for his grandson.