3 replies to this topic

[Flat Black 84]

I've understood that roughly prior to the 1980s, the term "high banks" was used to describe the speedways at Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Indiana and Salem, Indiana. Those three challenging circuits were much feared and revered, and were regarded as proving grounds for making the next step to the Indy 500.

But was there any formal designation of these tracks as THE high banks? Or did the term apply to any steeply banked circuit with an intimidating height from infield to outer perimeter in the turns?

The reason I ask is because I've recently seen tracks such as Belleville, Kansas, Lawrenceberg, Indiana and Bristol, Tennessee refer to themselves as "high banks." Perhaps these circuits simply tried to batten on the cachet possessed by Winchester, Salem and Dayton, but I really don't know. I'm sure somebody on TNF does.

[buckaluck]

I believe it is a generic term as Ontario, Michigan and Daytona were all refered to as high banks as well. You may be correct that it has to do with the degree of banking along with maybe the width of the track.

Buck

[fines]

Technically, I'd say every steeply banked track is a "high bank", but I guess Winchester, Dayton and Salem always held a special lure for the drivers, because of the proximity to the IMS and the fact that they regularly ran AAA & USAC events. Those three tracks, along with Fort Wayne in Indiana, also were often refered to as "the hills" of the Midwest, meaning basically the same thing.

[Bob Riebe]

Technically, I'd say every steeply banked track is a "high bank", but I guess Winchester, Dayton and Salem always held a special lure for the drivers, because of the proximity to the IMS and the fact that they regularly ran AAA & USAC events. Those three tracks, along with Fort Wayne in Indiana, also were often refered to as "the hills" of the Midwest, meaning basically the same thing.

I believe Fines is correct; it is a unofficial title used by the racers similar to- champ car- which referred to dirt track USAC championship cars as used by the racers.