Vintage Footage: Eastern Dragway 1957 -1962

I’m always excited to find drag racing home movie footage from the late 50s and early 60s. I’m even more excited when the film is color, and of decent quality, both in terms of the print and the camera operator. There is only one more level of excitement that I can reach (aside from taking a time machine back and seeing the racing myself!), and that’s when you find an eye witness to annotate the film as you watch it. Below you’ll find a 4 part film series taken at the Eastern Dragway, near Petersburg, Virginia which opened in March of 1957. What makes it so special is the gentleman explaining each car as they take off. He was obviously there, and knows nearly every driver by name, as well as each car’s details… It’s incredible to watch. Enjoy!