Color Film: Continental Divide Raceway in 1961

Today we’ve got some great 8mm color footage of the old Continental Divide Raceway in Castlerock, Colorado that was captured on August 10th, 1961. In the first 2 minutes of this well-shot film you’ll see a little bit of everything run down the strip: Midgets, Motorcycles, Hot Rods, Rail Jobs, Gassers, Super Stocks, and TV Tommy Ivo’s 4 engine dragster, the Roaring Showboat! However, I’ve got to say my favorite ride at the drags that day is the stunning 1959 Bocar XP5 sports rod built by Bob Carnes. Bob was local, and only built 15 XP5s, so I bet this is him racing with the very first one.

The last minute of this film is absolutely priceless as well, presumably shot in the drag race cameraman’s neighborhood. Check out the young lads cruising a Olds 303 Rocket-powered ’49 Merc and a ’46-’48 Ford in various states of customization. It’s truly a snapshot of grassroots hot rodding 60 years ago!