While doing some research, I came across this tidbit of info. on AZ drag racing history. Not a ton of words, but some cool pics. http://arizonaracinghistory.com/drags
Very interesting. My dad has some old pics from bee line from the 60 something nationals too. I will try to find em, scan, and post them.
This brings back memories,I went to races at Mel Larsons,Beeline,and PIR while in AF.Years later Firebird while living in Phoenix. Seen most of the big names at the time,lots of fun great sounds,especially Frank Sanders SS Z11 Chevy,sounded like a huge bumblbee. Was building a 55 Chevy g***er and moved back ti Illinois before I ever ran in Az. Jerry
Thats awesome... When I lived in fountain hills, I used to drive past that building on the beeline, every day. Now I finally know what it was.... Those indians should open it back up.
I drive by there 3-4 times a year, on my way to visit a friend in Payson. I think the place is a shooting range now... ;-(
Great history! Any old tracks south? Someone told me there was one by nogales, but the border patrol uses it now for a landing strip.
I lived some short miles and went to beeline dragway just about every weekend growing up in the east valley . We would ride out dirt bikes there using the c****s and side dirt roads. At the ease side of the track near the end we a group of about 6 or sometimes more would sneek into the track .I have very fond memories of that place , even went down the track several times ! Later i got a job there but i could not stand working and being so far from the action. Later the owners of the track cought a bunch of us on our dirt bikes and he said if you guy wana race around here i think we should just build ya a place and pointed to the north west corner and he added a motocross track . After the track shut down we still snuck in some midnight runs w/ flashlights .Later motrolla inc used it as a lazer testing area also tested sound and radio waves then it closed for good . About 3 years ago there was a big push to reopen the track and the tribe was game , big plans were in the works but i think it lost its charm when they wanted to add a luxury hotel c***ino and golf course . We all just wanted the old beeline back and i think the closest thing is now speedworld in the north west valley ! The deal to bringback beeline at its origional site fell through and a group even tried to move it and the name name way out southeast of the valley , they were going to have a 1/4 mile track and a circle track aswell as a motocross track , but that too fell through , in part of people not gettin together , and i also understand the one family still owns the naming rights to "beeline " , and there was trouble getting that name . sad to say i doubt if beeline will ever be built again , guess thats why i luv speedworld motorplex , best thing to having ole beeline back . Seems like all the cool stuff we used to have here in arizona is gone for good . Gone but not forgotten by us who remember - legend city -malibu grand prix-chaparell speedway ,RAWHIDE is now closed and is being moved -the ole race track at the base of south mountain gone too -the old wax musuem-just ta name some .all in the name of progress . Thanks for posting that very cool stuff .
Are you talkin Manzanita Raceway? Lived in Phx for 9 years went there once.lots of salvage yards in that area. Jerry
I am happy to report the manzanita race track is still up and running. Yes there are several boneyards in that area .But i do fear ole manzanita maybe in the way of progress too" I hope not " . several miles east of there used to be orange groves and large japan flower growers , Now all shopping and houses, and golf courses bleeeck.Lets hope that Manzi wont get turned into condos . Beeline dragway was on the beeline hywy that headed outta town to the payson area .and was between scottsdale and mesa on indian tribal land close to the salt river . I still say ya want that old time drag,beeline experiance here in arizona ,take time out if yer in the area and get out to speedworld . That was a new one to me about the perryville track , nice to know about that history , now perryville is a prison .
I went to BeeLine for almost every race in 1964 while I was stationed at Williams AFB in Chandler. I was there for the AHRA '64 Winternationals and remember seeing Hayden Profit and his killer 409 Chevys. I have many pictures that still need to be scanned. Someday maybe. Thanks for posting that. It brought back some great memories.
Wow Scooter, you're getting all sentimental on us! I agree, of course, ****s. Hell, I miss the OLD Taco Bell! How sick is that?! How long can it be before Speedworld is shut down too? Seen all the fuggin' new houses out there? Right by the track?! In my time on this planet, the whole Phoenix area has gone from, about 50,000(?) people to what(?) 3 million?! When I was a kid there was all the things Scooter mentioned as well as goofy things like the JAYCEES rodeo, Rita Davenport, WnL stage shows. I grew up in the NW valley, but the whole place seemed to be more unified. Adult men had Bolo ties and the women had dresses and scarves, even by the mid 70's! Awww, screw it. Enjoy the **** we still have today because tomorrow(?) bye bye. Hey, I think I'm gonna go out and have Donald Trump tattooed on my giant forehead.
THANKS ALOT jeem , now i want a ladmo waffle and a bell beefer, why taco bell killed the old bell beefer sandwich i will never know .We used to cruise main street in mesa and central in downtown phx . Though they tried to bring that back its just not the same .When you put on a cruz you should be able to dive up n down the ave not all pile into a roped off parking lot , that has vendors . Jeem remember auquanetta?then cal worthington came to town w/ his dog spot - to compete w/ tex earnhart , ole tex and his boys are still here ,wallace and ladmo ,cirstown , los arcos mall and tri city mall all gone , maryvale mall gone ,The many events at the veterans memorial collisum , and i also remember when we had only 4-5 tv channels to pick from too . DAMMM I AM OLD ! theres some dusty old reminders of the az past for ya .. now back to your regularly scedualed programs ahhahaaa
Red Greath and the Speedsport special crew are from here in town and we have a local person who has alot of experience with the green monster for the people who know what that was. Tucson has very rich history of racing all around. I will see what ai can dig up and maybe to a series here on the hamb.
This is a very old thread but i found it and want to post to see if i get any bites on the history of a 1940 gmc long bed drag truck the was built and run in arizona. I said "quailty auto paint" and "hurculous" on the door. it was reistered with the dmv before 1997. thanks
My 32 cabriolet was supposed to have come from Arizona. It was green with "***** Toad" painted on the side. The floor had holes in it for a roll bar. The doors must have come from another body because they had "Stump Puller" lettered on them. Anyone seen it ??
*You are missing many more Arizona drag photos!* If you click on the "home" link, at the top of the page, you will see there are more referrences, such as "Beeline History", "Tucson drag racing", and to other towns. (I have contributed a few pictures, and wondered why they weren't here.)
yeah great thread.I remember as a kid watchin the jeep f/c THE DESTROYER,Flying dutchman,Color me Gone,Back up pick-up,thunderwagon,wild willie Borsch F/A..it was great growing up about 3 blocks from Lyle Fishers place too........Tucson Dragway Ruled!
The Jalopy Journal
