Lions Drag Strip: 1955-1972 & Drag Racing in the 1960s 2 Book Set

Hot rodders and the “drag” cars that they raced in unsanctioned
exhibitions had become a nuisance with law enforcement
in Los Angeles, California. So, in an effort to make racing
safer, C. J. “Pappy” Hart (founder of the Santa Ana Drag Strip),
Norris Poulson (mayor of Los Angeles), John Chadwick (member
of the Wilmington Lions Club), and others collaborated to
create the world-famous Lions Associated Drag Strip. With an
approved proposal, shovels sunk into the sand in August 1955
in Wilmington, California, christening the birth of the world’s
greatest drag strip.
Mickey Thompson was hired to operate Lions Drag Strip
(also known as “the Beach”), quickly turning it into Southern
California’s wildest venue to watch drag racing. Innovations,
including staging lights, track lighting for night racing, and concession
stands, made Lions Drag Strip the place to be.
The world’s greatest drag racers, such as Jack Chrisman,
Tom McEwen, Art Chrisman, Don Prudhomme, Chris Karamesines,
Connie Kalitta, and Don Garlits, as well as a cast of
thousands of others, descended upon Lions Drag Strip for exhibition
and match racing. Fabled East-West showdowns, Fuel
Altereds, Funny Cars, and Jet cars broke attendance records
and set national records throughout the 1960s. In addition,
thrill-seeker Evel Knievel leaped over 13 cars at Lions Drag
Strip to the excitement of 14,000 fans in December 1970.
Sadly, Lions Drag Strip closed on December 3, 1972, due
to the location being valued as industrial real estate and the
approaching urban sprawl.
Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum volunteer Lou Hart
brings forth this year-by-year illustrated history of Lions Drag
Strip’s most memorable events with never-before-seen images
in Lions Drag Strip: 1955–1972!

• This is the first book ever that chronicles the entire
history of Lions Drag Strip.
• Lions Drag Strip was Los Angeles’s most famous drag
strip.
• Over the years, millions of fans visited Lions Drag
Strip.

Drag racing has a long and storied history. Many have said that the first drag race happened shortly after the second car was made. While that may or may not be true, racing prior to World War II was mostly centered around dry-lake activities and top-speed runs. After the war, drag racing became organized with the formation of the NHRA, and during the 1950s, many tracks were built across
America to accommodate the racers. Technology in the 1950s centered on the manufacturers updating old flathead designs into newer overhead-valve designs, and the horsepower race really started to heat up.

 In many forms of racing, the 1960s brought technological evolution. The decade began with big engines in even bigger stock chassis and ended with purpose-built race-only chassis, fiberglass bodies, fuel injection, nitro methane, and blowers. Quarter-mile times that were in the 13-second range in the beginning of the decade were in the 7-second range by the end. New classes were formed, dedicated cars were built for them, and many racers themselves became recognized names in the sports landscape.

 In Drag Racing in the 60s: The Evolution in Race Car Technology, veteran author Doug Boyce takes you on a ride through the entire decade from a technological point of view rather than a results-based one. Covered are all the classes, including Super Stocks, Altered Wheelbase cars (which led to Funny Cars), Top Fuelers, Gassers, and more.

 • This is a fascinating look at drag racing’s technological evolution 

 • The 60s saw the greatest advancement in technology in all forms of racing 

 • Filled with never-before-published vintage photography