This spring I have been on a photo mission to do***ent some small town race tracks while they are still standing. Usually found in county seats that have a fairgrounds, these small tracks are still used seasonally with some only being used during the summertime county fair itself. I am no expert on racing and don't know much history of these tracks but just wanted to show the simple existence of this sport out here on the windy plains of Kansas. This is part one of my photo do***entary. The track is in Washington, KS and is part of the Washington County Fairgrounds. Surrounded by a wheat field, a baseball diamond, livestock barns, and a privately owned livestock auction sale barn. I don't know any details of this track but if anyone here does feel free to contribute. It is located a good 100 miles from me. Of all the tracks I have visited in my quest, this one is the most primitive and I like that. Simple is good. <center> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </center>
The inside of the booth which has a table made from a bowling alley wood floor. Kinda cool. <center> <br /><br /> </center>
The local auto parts store has this sign that they roll out by the highway on race week. It will say "races Sat. nite" or something like that. <center> <br /><br /> </center>
some of the little hokey tracks are the most fun to go to like the little dirt bulring north of Sioux city on I 29 my county fair is located almost across from my shop and has a grandstand built in the 1920s is my guess, its been in some old raciing articles I raced motorcycles on it before 1970 was a old horse track, I also helped promote one race there with bikes In the early 80,s it was rebuilt by the farmers and made shorter and higher banked we used to get a little over 10 cars sometimes we have new promoters who do a good job and usually have close to 100 cars a nite, they were out working on it today and installing new safety barriers and a whole ton of other stuff new for this year so we have local races weekly here with many wissota touring drivers staying overnite. trailers and tow vehicles have changed in the last 40 years, mostly semi tractors and one grand national hauler now , not like days of old with me and a ford 6 cyl pickup and 4 wheel open trailer trying to launch with a three on the tree . the last year i raced 2 late models and had a ramp truck and a trailer behind more than one pitman fell off backwards off the ramp truck loading in the dark hey i was a safe and insane driver with a couple hundrd SBC horses..
Thank you Chuckles for putting your photos on this thread. I like that. And Eugene I would like you to take some pics of your racetrack. Take some tomorrow!
Just did some checking and they have a race day scheduled in June, July (during fair), and Sept. It is called the Jayhusker racing series. Last year's video from this track-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI3iJQBX9z8&feature=related
Sweet pix, Thanks. When I travelled around as a young fella it'd be a thrill to discover & duly spectate at local speedways (dirt). They were nationwide- Murray Bridge, Waikerie, Broken Hill, Mt Gambier, Cairns etc. etc. In Queensland it was the drag strips (Palmyra- cool!) Some great speedways have gone. R.I.P Rowley Park. ( The place where the Champions Gather..)
There used to be one in Dighton Ks I remember as a kid at the fairgrounds. After pulling it up on Google maps you can still see whats left. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=dight...1211,-100.477395&spn=0.0054,0.013411&t=h&z=17
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