Ballard International Raceway

Does anyone on here remember the dragracing at Golden Gardens park? Or does anyone have any pictures?...

 

Nice avitar 2bottles, I remember my pops used to take me down there when I was a kid in the early 70's. He had a two tone black and white 56 Mercury Medalist with Americans on it and a killer running FE Ford and a top loader in it, hardly ever lost a street race in that baby. Wish I had a picture.

 

My older brother used to frequent there in the early 70's with my uncle. My brother drove a primer gray '55 Chev with a very stout 327 and a 4spd. My uncle drove a mild custom '56 Chev, blue with white interior.

In the later '70's I frequented South Park International Raceway, just down the hill from White Center. We ran a white '55 Chev with a 283 4spd. Had a friend with a very healthy '69 440 Charger, and a friend with a '70 Chevelle SS 396.

Fun times indeed!

Larry

 

we did in the 1980s also sorry no pics...jeffrey

 

I remember it well. We called it "Golden Gardens International Raceway" and I raced my Dad's Baby blue 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero with a 302 4bl carb dual exhaust 3 on the tree and won a lot of races in 1969, 1970, an 1971. Those were last of the good old days. Soon after they blocked our starting line and ruined the whole thing.

 

Yeah, we'd head down there every weekend night. Police were a h***le most of the time. Long circuitous drive from up on top, "pits" were whever you parked. Mostly I drove either my $75 57 Chev/301/T-10, or 67 GT500. My friend Bill had a brand new 68 GTX 440. Some guys trailered some pretty fine stuff down there (no license plates visible) - I think they used it for "test and tune". Those of us with cars that would do something in the marked off quarter had a great time. Those that kept their hoods closed (either nothing going on, or they we're hustling races) had an easy time with most amateurs. As previously noted, it was all over by 71/72....but there are still some amazing stories being told by we grizzled old participants.

dj

 

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FNG

Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: blaine,wa.
Posts: 2


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<!-- message -->OldTime Weekend Warrior here.I grew up in Seattle and spent my weekends in 1965,66 thru 1970 Steet racing at Golden Gardens.We would hang out at ****s,drive the Renton Loop,cruise Colby,Shoot the tunnel but always ended up Drag racing at Golden Gardens.Had a 1960 Corvette with 283 flags on the side.I worked at Smiity's Garage in Lake City and installed a Fuelie 327 in it.Won some and lost some but made enough to pay my way thru the UW.I miss it.Great times.My career was always working around automotive and cars.Retired after 30 years with Firestone/Bridestone.Then sold Cars for a few years.I currently drive a Cadillac CTS V[400 plus Horsepower] and a 50th anniversary Corvette.
My friends say" I am trying to go back to my past.."
I say" I never left"
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those were great times.made american graffiti look pale in comparison.wish it could all come back

 

I have a few of these available if interested. White, White reflective, and Mirror chrome versions. $6.50 each plus $3.50 shipping. Paypal accepted. PM me if interested. Thanks

 

I moved to Seattle in 79, so I missed out on drag racing at golden gardens. That must have been wild back when it was happening! So much has changed out along Shileshoal and the marina in general. I still cruise out to the boat launch parking lot to watch the marine traffic on the water, and the sometimes incredible sunsets! Looking at the Olympic mountains at sunset, reminds me I am fortunate to live in such a place!

 

Seattle ****s!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I remember the window stickers for "Golden Gardens International Raceway". Went down with my best friend, who had his Mother's 70 400 Firebird for the night. We made one p***, and that was enough for me. People standing right beside the cars lined up, and some ways down the road. Could have been a tradjedy, very easily. It had gotten way too big, and everyone was showing up! It's why it was shut down. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

I have to agree with that now but it was ok in the 40's and 50's. We used the tunnels and the bridge.
I remember when Golden Gardens had a model boat pond we played hockey on in the winter and it was a dirt road and parking lot to get there.

 

that was constructive to the thread.. Gig Harbor had Point Fos**** Raceway back in the
day .. I was to young , but I hear the stories from my buddy Bruce B. it was wild also.

 

How do I PM you, I am not finding a way to do that within H.A.M.B site. Thanks!

 

You have to have at least 10 posts to be allowed/able to PM anyone to eliminate scammers.

I went down there once in July of 1969, Raced my silver Cutl*** S against a pair of Roadrunners in separate p***es, beat the 4 speed car got beat by the automatic car. Had a VW bug pull out of the marina a hundred yards in front of me while I was doing about 90 on the last p*** I made and that was it for me, I loaded my dad's girlfriend's kid back in the car and we quietly got out of there. It was the 13 year old kid that knew where the action was.
Now I have a half dozen friends who live on their boats in the marina.

 

I am for sure wanting some of these how do I get ahold of you for payment.Jay

 

Hello My name is Dave Neil who lives above Golden Gardens and remember the races very well from when I was in high School. If Any of the stickers are still available for purchase I would like to have 3 of them.
Please e mail me back if available and I will reply either by phone or e mail
Thank you Dave (North Seattle resident)

 

Hi 55xgasr, please pm me, I would like to buy a couple of these stickers. I can’t pm due to the newness of my account.