Lions Drag Strip Documentary

I recieved this email earlier today.
I have personally donated a ton of footage for this project,& knowing Don Gillispie,it has been done right.
Here is the information.


LIONS DRAG STRIP VIDEO DO***ENTARY TO BE RELEASED THIS WEEKEND DURING NHRA HOT ROD REUNION IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.
(October 3, 2006) – The long awaited release of an in-depth video do***entary covering one of the sport’s more famous racetracks will occur this weekend, when "LIONS – THE GREATEST DRAG STRIP" is made available (on
DVD) during the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, California (October 6-8).
Part One chronicles the first half of the legendary Long Beach, California facility, from its inception with speed king, Mickey Thompson, as first manager in 1955, through mid-1962, after lifting of the infamous "fuel ban"
– and a return to nitro drag racing.
Nearly two hours in length (1-HR., 55-MINS.), the do***entary was created and produced by Don Gillespie, a 30-plus year drag racing photojournalist who got his start at the infamous quarter-mile facility.
"As a youth, I experienced Lions during its heyday, but was never been able to let it go from my emotional rear-view mirror," Gillespie began.
"Given the track’s magical atmosphere and important contributions, I made the decision years ago to capture and share its stories and powerful imagery for the benefit of all who experienced it firsthand, plus those who’ve simply heard about this marvelous, iconic drag racing temple."
The m***ive project required several years of careful research, interviews, materials archiving and digital transfers, with many rare and seldom seen photographs, plus novice and professional films uncovered. A**** the unique "finds" is 16mm footage of the track being built in its earliest stages, plus the sport’s first "live" TV broadcast, which was seen in thousands of Los Angeles area homes from Lions on station KTTV in September, 1961.
All told, more than 30 racers and key figures are either interviewed, or make on-camera speaking appearances, such as C.J. Hart, Art Chrisman, Fritz Voigt, (Mickey’s 1st wife) Judy and (son) Danny Thompson, Larry Sutton, Chet Herbert, "TV" Tommy Ivo, Frank "Ike" Iacono, Joe Reath, Ed Iskenderian, Gene Adams, John Force, plus (from the KTTV show) Allen "Lefty" Mudersbach, Mickey Thompson, Bob Muravez, Jack Chrisman, Gary Cagle, plus many others.
While this weekend’s attendees in Bakersfield will have the first opportunity to acquire the video, the "Lions – The Greatest Drag Strip" DVD will be available to consumers on a combination of Internet sites,
including: www.lionsvideo.com, immediately thereafter.
For more information, please contact Don Gillespie at; email:
Dgillespie02@hotmail.com, or via phone: 276-386-9120, or write to: Lions DVD, 111 Charleston Street, Weber City, VA 24290.

 

Sound fantastic, now I just have to figure our how to get my hands on one.

 

Ironically I am wearing a Lions Dragstrip shirt today.... One day several years ago at a Le Madeline restaraunt this guy commented on my sister's purse because it had Lucky 13 on it. He went on to tell us his '61 Chevy had that on the side. He apparently was a Nascar driver in the early 60's and also ran the lions dragstrip for some time. I never got his name and kick myself for it.

 

Hot damn! I reckon I'll be bying a copy this weekend.

 

Sound like great stuff! (by the way, the "lionsvideo" link doesn't work)

 

Heres my dad on a hard p*** at Lions in 1965,,,,,Gary Cagle.
Try this.....www.lionsvideo.com The web page is under construction.

 

I've got something on Lions. A part 1 of 2. Part 2 wasn't out yet when i got this a few yrs ago. It ****S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What ****s?
Care to share more of what you know?

 

Sorry Mr Groucho,,,I thought for awhile on this & your'e right.
The video you have was probably done by a different guy(no names to protect the innocent,but I know who did it & when)
This new one will be the bomb,,guaranteed.
Once again,I appologize.
Troy

 

If it is available at CHRR I will buy it.

 

This is a must-have boys & girls.
I think Don might have sold out at the Reunion,but there's more where they came from.

 

I got one at the reunion reception. FANTASTIC is all I gotta say and I only raced there twice in the summer of 62. The video damn near brought tears to my eyes.

 

I bought a copy at CHRR and watched it on Sunday at my buddies house in Long Beach. Pretty *****in' stuff.

The segment showing the live TV broadcast from 1961 was the best, It'd be really *****in' to have a DVD with the entire 90 minute broadcast on it.

 

Anyone that has it, do you know if you see a purple Topolino with a Hemi that was sponsered by Magic Muffler? My friends dad was one of the mechanics, Jim Miles and is one of the original Burbank Road Kings. If so, I would love to get that for him as a gift. KNUX!

 

I got one of the DVDs as welL watched it Monday.

Lions came and went before my time, but man, it is a must see for any car guy. Lots of history and validadition for what we all love to do now!
Can't wait for #2!

BYC

 

I think this movie was filmed here.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135353
Want a copy?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136456

 

"Hot Rod", the movie in your post, was filmed in northern California. All of the drag racing was filmed at Fremont Raceway up north in the bay area.

 

Is there a city of Lions? I think I heard it mentioned.

 

The Lions name came from the local Lions Club.
They had something to do with the Harbor Commision,& other city functions.
The track was in Wilmington Calif at 223rd & Alameda,right near the ocean.

 

Back to the top one time.
Thanks Ryan for the picture on the JJ homepage.
Troy

 

I bought it at the CHRR part 1 I cannot wait until the rest, awesome.

 

Thanks so much for posting information on the project I just completed - 'LIONS - THE GREATEST DRAG STRIP. Just wanted to set the record straight from one of the posts I saw. There was indeed "another" Lions do***entary done a few years ago, but it sure wasn't me! I also saw it, and I'll just leave it at that. My Lions video, part one, (two is not yet finished) is just a few minutes shy of two hours, and is available on DVD. The TV show segment someone also spoke is from the sport's first-ever "live" drag racing broadcast, from a September 1961 program on KTTV, with Mickey Thompson and Bill Welch as the emcees. There are more than 30 individuals appearing on camera altogether, plus others had speaking parts from the TV show, like Allen "Lefty" Mudersbach, Jack Chrisman, Gary Cagle, and others. The website "www.lionsvideo.com" is indeed working, and has information should you like to order the item. Again, thanks so much for your fair and balanced website, and for helping get the word out. Kindest regards, Don Gillespie

 

Nice last name.

 

Ditto times 1,000 what everyone has posted about this do***entary. Don Gillespie has done a masterful job in the execution of telling the Lions story. A must have for anyone that has an interest in the history of Lions or the pioneers of the sport.

Can't wait for part 2!

 

i hope part 1 or part 2 shows arnie the farmer beswick,jess tyree,haydin proffitt, M/T,etc racing door slammer pontiacs.

cant wait to get a copy of this!

any of you ever seen a movie that came out in 1965 called "seven second love affair"? its a do***entary film about drag racer rick "the ice man" stewart. its all filmed at lions! i collect anything to do with hot rods and drag racing on film and this is on the top of my list!

 

7 second love affair is very cool. I think it's out of print. My Viper Brother Terry Lee has a copy. Pretty worn out. I better grab Troy and go watch it soon. Huh Troy? Lots of footage of Jeb Allen's Praying Mantis gang, if I recall correctly. Pics of Terry with out gray hair. MUST be old…

 

I watched it with my mom last Sunday on the big screen...incredible.
She picked out more people than I did !
Thanks again Don,great job.
Troy Cagle

 

Don, is it possible to get these at wholesale quan***ies?

 

PEDDRO,

My email is: Dgillespie02@hotmail.com. Contact me there to discuss.

 

Is there any SS/AFX material on the do***entary or is it all dragsters and g***ers? Either way I'm going to buy one! There is a pretty famous shot from 1965 of Bonner and Brannan racing. Bonner stands his Falcon on the bumper and Brannan takes the win in his AWB Mustang. I'd love to see film of that race!!!