I stumbled across some photos from the dim and distant past. In my teens weekends were spent at Fontana, Pomona, Long Beach and Riverside. The photos were taken with a trusty Brownie box (which is still out in the garage). I have some of Pomona and Riverside which I'll post later. For some reason my scanner is in slow mode. These two photos are Master and Richter. According to what I wrote on the back they ran low e.t. for the day. 7.62 By weslake at 2011-11-21 By weslake at 2011-11-21 The "Isky Dragon". Pomona Speed Center. Ran 189 that day. By weslake at 2011-11-21 By weslake at 2011-11-21 B & L Auto. Injected Dodge. No other details. By weslake at 2011-11-21 Warren, Coburn, Warren. Again no other details. By weslake at 2011-11-21 Mickey Thompsons Jet car. By weslake at 2011-11-21 I walked to the lights (The good old days when you could do such things) and took this shot of Greer, Black and Prudhomme. The ol' Brownie did its best but not quite successful. Once again on the back it says 184. By weslake at 2011-11-21
Thank you for the memories, I too was from that time and area. Born and Rised in Riiverside. I worked for Joe Piazza at the Douglas Gas Station on 8th and Victoria Ave. Joe, had a record holding 1964 Corvette Coupe that was sponsored by J&M Speed Center when it was still on Market Street. I remember the times at Riverside, Fontana, and Colton Fondly. The Station was a magnet for Vette's and other "quick" cars.
Glad you enjoyed them. I'm still in Riverside. I posted a new thread with some photos from the HRM meet in June of '64.
Like the Riverside pics, these are great. I love old pics like these taken by the spectators. They give a much better feel for the atmosphere than magazine photos. Post more if you got 'em!
I have a bunch of Pomona pics from 64-65. My scanner, for some unknown reason, is slower than my sidecar. I've started scanning them but its going to be a while.
Great pic's! Especially the Fontana pic's. I was from Covina and spent a lot of time at Fontana & Pomona in '64 & '65.
When the dirt oval Western Speedway in Gardena closed in mid-1964 the L.A. Times reported the grandstands were relocated to the Fontana drag strip.
I stand corrected. Did you see the article in the Press Enterprise. J&M was not on market st. It was Main St. It was a long time ago ...... I guess! Sent from my iPhone using TJJ
When I was a kid there was an old neighbor who said anything north of first was North Main. I've never been able to get that out f my head.
Great drag strip....rural, windy, hot, cold, crappy food, horrid restrooms, splinters from the wood bleachers..... perfect, actually...the way a drag strip SHOULD be.... The only electricity was to the tower. All the lights were powered by trailered generators. Fantastic racing in a rugged, primitive way that was so bitchin, it defies description.
"Rugged, primitive"?? Whenever I was there and saw a fueler smokin' the tires off the line and still hazing them in the lights I thought I had died and gone to heaven!
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