October, 1956 – The Pomona Road Races

This isn’t my typical road race post. Typically I sit down with a bit of guilt, try my best to put it aside, and then figure the most eloquent way to force feed a bunch of brute-force hotrodders the merits and grace of road racing. Not this time… And while the following footage of mid-50’s sports cars sliding through an apex is nothing of short of incredible, that’s not really what drove me to post this.

The people, or more specifically, the style of the times is the driving force behind this editorial. I’ve never really been the guy that wished he grew up in an earlier period. When I was younger, I did my best to be a greaser of sorts I guess, but I’ve never had a house full of vintage furniture, I’ve never listened to a ton of Rockabilly music, and I’ve never cussed the present. I like technology and I’m perfectly content with 2010.

All of that aside, this video struck me as so romantic and so naturally perfect that it had to be posted. Enjoy the racing footage, but pay attention to the people as well. The way they dress… The way they walk… The way they smoke their cigarettes… My first impression was one of formality, but that was soon lost to an overwhelming sense of quality and thoughtfulness. Maybe my old man is right – Things were better back then.

Special thanks to the Chicane for posting the footage.

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