History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

Kiwi Kev is going to love this one....perfect.

 

Great pics Dog, was this taken at John Ledster's place?

 

Mike the Photo Guy shot this at Milan nostalga drags.

 

WAY cool.

 

What on earth is Terminal Island ?

 

Location of Big Willie Robinson's drag strip at the L/A./Long Beach Harbor...

 

Doug, any chance of a bit of history on this Drag Strip, was it close to Lions? When did it operate and for how long.
Thanks mate.
Ross.

 

Ross, it was just south of LIONS..I'll dig something up....

As the Sixties drew to a close, the social upheaval seen in other spheres of society influenced drag racing as well. In the wake of the 1965 Watts riots, legendary street racer Big Willie Robinson figured out a way to use drag racing to change society. An imposing, muscular 6'6" Vietnam vet with a badass Hemi Daytona Charger and trademark bowler hat, Big Willie was the undisputed king of the late '60s- '70s East L.A. street racing scene. In response to the growing influence of drugs and street gangs, Big Willie and his wife Tomiko organized the 'Brotherhood of Street Racers' as a way to channel the energy of South Central youth away from crime and violence -- "peace through racing," as he put it. Working with local officials and police, Big Willie was the driving force behind the building of Brotherhood Raceway Park on L.A. harbor's Terminal Island. Before it closed in 1995, BRP was a popular destination for young South Cental racers and is widely regarded as the birthplace of import drag racing -- the 'Fast and Furious' scene. Efforts are now underway to reopen BRP, hopefully extending Big Willie's legacy to another generation of L.A. gearheads of every ethnicity.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7552532@N07/sets/72157603712632579/

 

If I remember correctly, Terminal Island opened up after Lions was shutdown. I believe it was a 1/8 mile...
I had the pleasure of meeting Big Willie once, not and easy man to forget!
I also remember back when he was trying to make a deal to open a drag strip on the vacant land west of the runways at LAX.

 

Thanks Doug, and kiwi Kev. Wow Willie was a big guy (i'm assuming that he is no longer with us) with a big heart, by the sound of it.
Ross.

 

Big Willie is alive and well, and presently negociating to re open the old Terminal Island raceway.

 

Here are some pics taken from 8mm movies I took at O.C.I.R. back in the early 80's.
Sorry for the picture quality, I had the movies converted to DVD and then shot the TV screen with my camera. If you want a copy of the DVD I have an ad in the classifieds. The first ones are from the Antique Nationals, 1981?.......

 

Hey Kiwi I may well take you up on the offer of a Antique nationals DVD. My dad and I went to a few UFRA (United Flathead Racers Association)events in the late 60's, early 70's. At that time there was enough cars to field an 8 car open. Though heads up, those who opted to run fuel spotted the gus burners a 1/2 second. In trying to identify the above picured rails as I suspect they are as follows, Tony Migglizzi's (spl) "Big Inch"-One of the few circuit cars relying on the old Hillborn 105A injectors. The blue hued, Antique Doll and finally what might either be the McCloskey and Jordon car, or John Bradley. Both teams ran what was then modern day jr fuel chassis

 

That's INSANE...

 

Cool hood ornament