History The Rise and Fall of Orange County Int'l Raceway

There is a cool face Book group Memories of O.C.I.R.

 

My '57 raced there, I'm looking for pics if anyone has any! At the time (70's/early 80's) it would have been radiused with no lettering, a much large hood scoop, and a big 427 under the hood. Ran a 10.90 @ 131mph at OCIR.
-Dean

 

Once upon a time Irvine had orange groves and a drag strip. It's hard to believe.

 

Post # 60,Ken"RACER"Brown still races that yellow Chevy,much lower now,still quick!! ROY.

 

I remember the 1st California Nitro Jam at OCIR - live band - streeker - jet cars - it was kooooool - race my Scamp there 1972 - 1975 - Great times - Jaxx

 

Was lucky enough to have been there, remember in particular Larry Bower's clutch explosion, saw it happen and then realized that some of the shrapnel had hit a spectator in the knee....we never thought it would close even though most other strips were gone by that time....

 

I remember once when I was doing the paint and lettering on one of Tom McEwens' Coors funny cars , I said to Tom " I hear they're thinking of closing OCIR" . Tom looks at me like I'm crazy , and says to me " what the hell else do you put between a freeway and a Marine base ?". Well they put in office buildings , shopping centers , fast food , and a Costco !! I still miss that place .