Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: Drag Racing So-Cal in 1962 Continue reading the Original Blog Post
I like scanning the background shots of the pits in this era, seems that 55 Chevy two-ten sedans were quite popular as tow/push cars.
I’ve lived in So Cal for 80 years and been to every drag strip and didn’t know there was a Pamona…I must have missed it
Correct, they even towed the trailer and rail dragster cross country on tour. The 55 had a straight six. Soooo Cooool!
I scanned through the film and this is what I was able to ID, at least I think I'm correct. Only one dragster, they are too hard to see on this film. 1:22 Tony Nancy Model A 1:26 Mike Sorokin in the Sorokin/Bilacek Willys altered 1:47 Jess Van Deventer (sp?) modified roadster 2:30 Sam Parriott, Kurtis A/MSP 2:42 Bone's Balogh, J&J Muffler Corvette A/MSP 3:00+ Assorted 348's, 409's, 406 Fords, 389 Pontiacs 3:35 Possibly the Davis & Ingram Fiat altered? 5:16 Bob Hartwell Olds powered F/A, on gas because of the NHRA fuel ban 5:18 Tom McMullen A/SR in metalflake green paint 6:32 Howard's Cams Special dragster, twin SBC's 7:05 Harrel, Borsch & Muse on gas, NHRA fuel ban 7:46 Travel-On's car club Pontiac powered '32 5 window 8:38 Joe Pisano's Model A gas coupe
Hello, We were well out of drag racing in So Cal by this 1962 time period. Our last visit to a dragstrip was to the same location that looks like the one in the photos. Winternationals 1961 held at the Pomona Fairgrounds Dragstrip. But, in looking at the old film, it must have been taken with a small 8mm color movie camera. As much as I tried to get a good color enhancement, it was a “no go” as far as clarity and focus. Remember, 8mm is the size of your small fingernail, so one is limited to enlargements or enhancements. I used a 16mm color movie camera with a point and shoot infinity focus feature and the color came out a lot better, as well as the focus. The focus was pre set and anything I pointed to was in focus and color. The 16mm film is twice as large as the 8mm. (a larger fingernail) So, the color of my old 1960 film from the 2ND Annual March Meet in Bakersfield shows the “222” 34 Ford 5 window coupe is a little clearer and larger. I was still standing a distance from the actual drag strip. YRMV Jnaki The actual sound of the Donnelly-Bolthoff 1934 5 window Altered Coupe at the 1960 Bakersfield Smokers March Meet #2.
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