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History Drag strips in Arkansas

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by wisdonm, Sep 1, 2014.

  1. wisdonm
    Joined: Jun 20, 2011
    Posts: 444

    wisdonm
    Member

    Is there a current or past, paved 1/4 mile drag strip in Arkansas? If so what and where. TIA
     
  2. wisdonm
    Joined: Jun 20, 2011
    Posts: 444

    wisdonm
    Member

    None, ever?
     
  3. MULDROW
    Joined: Mar 5, 2011
    Posts: 3

    MULDROW
    Member
    from Muldrow Ok

    Razorback in Ft. Smith 1960's to 1970's
     
  4. oldwood
    Joined: Mar 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    oldwood
    Member
    from arkansas

    I bought the contents of a Hoarders ho me and a brother of the hoarder left a box of trophy's behind of races he won I Arkansas and surrounding states. Carlisle,AR. had a drag strip for years as I heard the commercial every weekend in the '60's and 70's on the radio station KAAY. I'll try and post pics in a few days of these trophy's.
     

  5. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    Last edited: Sep 2, 2014
  6. There was a 1/4 mile track in Benton back in the 60s .right on the west side of I-30,,
     
  7. wisdonm
    Joined: Jun 20, 2011
    Posts: 444

    wisdonm
    Member

    Thanks for the info guys. It's a big help.
     
  8. mountainman2
    Joined: Sep 16, 2013
    Posts: 336

    mountainman2
    Member

    Yep....watched Eddie Hill run the "Double Dragon" there in early '60s H4_1.jpg
     
  9. joey7508
    Joined: Apr 14, 2009
    Posts: 149

    joey7508
    Member
    from TX

    Centerville Dragway. Already been said. 1000ft not 1/4 mile, but I like it either way.
     
  10. oldwood
    Joined: Mar 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    oldwood
    Member
    from arkansas

    Here are some of the trophy's that I told you about. The man that won these trophy's is alive living in Alabama. The last trophy has a light in it.
     

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  11. the pic in my avatar was shot at george rays hot rod wild cat dragstrip
     
  12. cory27t
    Joined: Apr 5, 2011
    Posts: 406

    cory27t
    Member
    from US

    The car club I'm in just made a trip to George Ray's Drag Strip yesterday. It was sketchy to say the least. Here's a shot I took of the starting line and what they use as guardrails. They even have a sign that says "Run at own risk."
    DSC_0377_edited-1.jpg

    From what I understand, they're no rules except for a helmet and a seatbelt if your car's fast enough. This Chevy coupe had an injected SBC and was FAST (cool), but also had a "rollcage" that was made out of tubing that couldn't have been more than 1 1/4" O.D. with some questionable welds (not cool).

    DSC_0387.jpg

    What amazed me the most was what looked like a kid no more than 12 years old racing a rear engine dragster with a SBC that ran 110 MPH in the 1/8. What was REALLY scary about that, was that the car was set up for an adult, so it had a cage that was way to big for this kid. He also couldn't reach the pedals, so they moved the seat forward so half of his body was in front of the cage, but he was wearing a motocross helmet so it's all good.

    It was a weird experience at the dragstrip for me
     
  13. but you had fun like everyone else didn't you.
     
    Old wolf likes this.
  14. black 62
    Joined: Jul 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,895

    black 62
    Member
    from arkansas

    Carlisle was one of the last tracks in TWO LANE BLACKTOP wasn't it ?
     
  15. Beavertail
    Joined: Jun 27, 2010
    Posts: 29

    Beavertail
    Member

    I'm trying to find out more info about a couple of strips in Little Rock for my Drag Strip List website. In about 1959-63 there was a strip about 10 miles south of Little Rock that went by the name of Excell-a-Rating Drag Strip or Little Rock Drag Strip. I-30 Raceway was a 1/8th-mile NHRA-sanctioned strip running in the 1970s. I would like to pinpoint its location and learn more about it. And I'd like to hear from anyone who raced at the State Fairgrounds Dragway.
     
  16. Well you are entitled to your opinion. But we like George Rays just fine like it is. Its affordable and not a bunch of bull.
     
  17. They use to have a 1/4 strip at the WWII runway at the old air base a College City Ark.
     
  18. George days was originally 1/4 mile. Then as the speeds of the cars increased they shortened it.
     
    Old wolf likes this.
  19. George Ray’s drag-strip is my kind of playground. Folksy, homey, good old boys style.
    Just love the history behind the place. Should go well into the future hopefully.


    Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
     
    Old wolf likes this.
  20. Yes and they also had to move the starting line foreward because the concrete was worn down. When I was a youngster they didn't have a Christmas tree. George Ray wearing a pith helmet would stand in front and point at each driver they nodded to indicate they where staged. And He would flag them off and run between the cars as they launched and spin around so he could see the race. And it looked like he was having the most fun of anyone. I also think he got great joy in telling the NHRA where to go. Once a NHRA guy pointed all the things wrong with a white hooptie and stated it was unsafe. It was Georges personal hot rod. George told him it had only gone down that track a 1000 times. And It was a pretty fast vehicle.
     
  21. Bearing Burner
    Joined: Mar 2, 2009
    Posts: 1,107

    Bearing Burner
    Member
    from W. MA

    ECTA runs 1mile landracing events at Blyethville now.
     
  22. Chuck Craig
    Joined: Jun 11, 2016
    Posts: 280

    Chuck Craig
    Member
    from Ocala FL

    Ran the strip out on the old airfield (East of LR) many years ago in my 69 SS Chevelle. Thanks for the post, it brought back a lot memories.
     

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