In a Time long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away named California...
I knew that if I looked in the right stack of magazines, the cover would give it away.....
....here is a listing of circuits used in the California Galaxy from the 1950's as Dean Batchelor listed them 10 years ago in Vintage Motorsport, January/February 1992:
Paradise Mesa (near San Diego) : course built on and around a drag strip; SDSCC
Torrey Pines (near San Diego) : built on roads in abandoned military base; CSCC, 1st race December 1951
Hour Glass Field (San Diego) : airport course, SCCA
Palm Springs: course built on military base roads and airport; CSCCfirst race in April 1950
Chino Airport: airport course using runways and taxi strips; Four- Cylinder Club
Pomona: course laid out on the Pomona Fairgrounds parking lot; CSCC and USAC (stock cars)
Santa Ana Blimp Base: airport course using runways and taxi strips; CSCC, one race only -- May 1950
March Field (Riverside) : airport course on SAC base; SCCA, two races -- 1953 and 1954
Riverside Raceway: artificial course; SCCA, USAC, NASCAR -- 1960 USGP
Terminal Island (Long Beach) : airport course; CSCC, one race in 1953
Grand Central (Glendale) : airport course on former Grand Central Airport; CSCC, one race in November 1955
Dodger Stadium: parking lot course; CSCC
Hansen Dam (Los Angeles) : built on roads in abandoned Basilone Homes veterans' housing project; one race in 1955
Paramount Ranch: artificial course on former Paramount movie studios ranch; CSCC, USAC (stock cars)
Willow Springs: artificial course in Mojave Desert near Rosamond -- still used as racing venue, drivers' school and test facility
Sanata Barbara: airport course on Goleta Field; CSCC
Bakerfield: airport course on Minter Field; CSCC
Madera: airport course on former military base
Stockton: airport course on former military base
Moffett Field (San Jose/Palo Alto) : airport course on former Navy dirigible base
Golden Gate Park: on public roads in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park; three races -- 1952 thru 1954
Cotati (near San Francisco) : airport course
Buchanan Filed (San Francisco) : airport road course; first organized event by SF Region of SCCA, 1950
Vacaville (near SF/Sacramento) : airport road course
Sacramento: airport road course
Salinas: airport road course
Pebble Beach (Monterey) : circuit opn private road in the Del Monte property on Monterey Peninsula; seven annual races, 1950 thru 1956
Laguna Seca (Monterey/near Salinas) : artificial road course on Fort Ord property; first event 1957 -- still in use
Plus, there is the Harold Osmer book on racing circuits on the Los Angeles area, "Where They Raced LAP 2," which is an update on the original book and really a fascinating book.
Batchelor arranged his list from South to North. Most of the circuits up North were SCCA circuits while those in the SD/LA area were Cal Club circuits.
When I saw the other night, the thought hit me that it has been years since I thought about one of my older projects -- a compilation of the various road racing circuits used in the USA, giving a circuit map and various information on the track and some of the events held on it. Then I remember why it is an unfinished project.... However, having said that, for awhile someone did so an edition every so often on SCCA racing and the circuits then in use. I used to have an early edition somewhere, but have no idea what happened to it.
One reason I mention this is that Sports Car, R&T, and others used to have circuit maps of these "obscure" courses. Checking Darren's site, I realized that I just might have more of these then I realized. Plus, there was that neat book on racing Corvettes in California, California Screamin' which I finally put back in the correct stack last night. It has some very good tables in the back and some circuit maps to boot....
California Dreamin' and Other Random Muses about Sports Cars Racing in America
Started by
Don Capps
, Jan 09 2002 20:45
4 replies to this topic
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#2
Jim Thurman
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- 7,982 posts
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Posted 09 January 2002 - 23:01
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Don Capps
In a Time long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away named California....[/QUOTE]
Not that far away for some of us Don
Paradise Mesa: I knew about this as a drag strip, only found out about a dirt/paved oval for jalopies recently. Was a Naval Auxiliary Field. Between National City and San Diego (an area known as Paradise Hills).
Torrey Pines: Became the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Hour Glass Field: Another former Naval field, a short distance North of Miramar NAS (well, used to be NAS) off Black Mountain Road (remains are in a park near Miramar College). Runways and taxiways were shaped like an hourglass, hence the name. I used to ride by this on my bicycle, never realizing it's remains were there!.
Santa Ana Blimp Base: Came to be known as Tustin LTA Base. Just seeing those massive blimp hangers from the freeway was interesting. Have held vintage races in the past few years. I believe the same site as one of the earliest (if not *earliest*) formal drag strip.
Dodger Stadium: I believe 1962. I don't know if I have exact date or not. Do have a write-up in a Sports Car Graphic. No course diagram. Those concrete posts lining the course could NOT have been a pleasant thing to see whizzing past.
Paramount Ranch: Only operated in 1956 and 1957. Almost all of the course still rotting away. Be a great venue to renovate for vintage meets.
Minter Field: 20 miles North of Bakersfield. Among others, James Dean and Ken Miles raced there. Dad passed through in WWII.
Golden Gate Park: Some pictures and not much of a write-up in a SpeedAge magazine.
Cotati: North, nearer Santa Rosa. Used into the 70's. Have a program (with diagram)...somewhere.
Buchanan Field: East, in Concord. Still Concord's municipal airport. Small plane crashed into nearby shopping mall while my parents were Christmas shopping. Fortunately, they had stopped for a break. Sadly, many people weren't so fortunate in the impact area. On a positive, I understand they had some semblance of a vintage "race" at the annual air show as recently as 1997-99 range.
Vacaville: About mid-way between SF/Sacramento. Not to forget the permanent circuit, Vaca Valley Raceway, which is still moldering away at Midway & Lewis, just off of I-80.
Salinas Airport: Where James Dean was headed when he crashed near Cholame (California State Highway 41/46 junction - junction and roadways since re-located).
[/i]When I saw the other night, the thought hit me that it has been years since I thought about one of my older projects -- a compilation of the various road racing circuits used in the USA, giving a circuit map and various information on the track and some of the events held on it. Then I remember why it is an unfinished project.... However, having said that, for awhile someone did so an edition every so often on SCCA racing and the circuits then in use. I used to have an early edition somewhere, but have no idea what happened to it.[/QUOTE]
Great job Don. You may have noticed how many of those sites my life has passed through or by. Even most of the others I edited out, I've passed by, some several times. Yes, attempting diagrams and (shudder) results of these early SCCA and Cal Club races would be daunting. I don't know who the Cal Club historian is, but that is a contact that should be looked into.
The book...Road Racing In America by Stone. Four editions. First c. 1960, the last in (I believe) 1971. Good book. The range of tracks diagramed in that period of time is outstanding. From some airport and early permanent circuits in the first edition to the building boom of the late 60's/early 70's in the last.
In the San Diego area there were a few others in the 60's:
Carlsbad Raceway (whose fate was just sealed on December 4th. It's lease ends in February and a "business park" will be built on the site). Regionals for both Cal Club and San Diego Region SCCA. First race, sometime in late 60's (1966 or 1967), last race in 1985. Originally planned to be San Diego Region "home track" replacement for Del Mar Fairgrounds (see below). North of San Diego, near Carlsbad. About seven miles East of I-5 on Palomar Airport Road. Visit while you can!.
San Diego Stadium - Regional races in parking lot in 1967 or 1968. My brother and I stood along a frontage road across the river and he watched through a telescope! (I was the little brother so I only got a peek). I have the date and a write-up of those races.
Del Mar Fairgrounds - different course layout than the one used for the San Diego GP IMSA races in the early 90's. Ran mainly through the parking lot East of fairgrounds main entrance. I have the write-up on what turned out to be the last race in 1964. "Home" track for San Diego Region SCCA.
Jim Thurman
In a Time long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away named California....[/QUOTE]
Not that far away for some of us Don
Paradise Mesa: I knew about this as a drag strip, only found out about a dirt/paved oval for jalopies recently. Was a Naval Auxiliary Field. Between National City and San Diego (an area known as Paradise Hills).
Torrey Pines: Became the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Hour Glass Field: Another former Naval field, a short distance North of Miramar NAS (well, used to be NAS) off Black Mountain Road (remains are in a park near Miramar College). Runways and taxiways were shaped like an hourglass, hence the name. I used to ride by this on my bicycle, never realizing it's remains were there!.
Santa Ana Blimp Base: Came to be known as Tustin LTA Base. Just seeing those massive blimp hangers from the freeway was interesting. Have held vintage races in the past few years. I believe the same site as one of the earliest (if not *earliest*) formal drag strip.
Dodger Stadium: I believe 1962. I don't know if I have exact date or not. Do have a write-up in a Sports Car Graphic. No course diagram. Those concrete posts lining the course could NOT have been a pleasant thing to see whizzing past.
Paramount Ranch: Only operated in 1956 and 1957. Almost all of the course still rotting away. Be a great venue to renovate for vintage meets.
Minter Field: 20 miles North of Bakersfield. Among others, James Dean and Ken Miles raced there. Dad passed through in WWII.
Golden Gate Park: Some pictures and not much of a write-up in a SpeedAge magazine.
Cotati: North, nearer Santa Rosa. Used into the 70's. Have a program (with diagram)...somewhere.
Buchanan Field: East, in Concord. Still Concord's municipal airport. Small plane crashed into nearby shopping mall while my parents were Christmas shopping. Fortunately, they had stopped for a break. Sadly, many people weren't so fortunate in the impact area. On a positive, I understand they had some semblance of a vintage "race" at the annual air show as recently as 1997-99 range.
Vacaville: About mid-way between SF/Sacramento. Not to forget the permanent circuit, Vaca Valley Raceway, which is still moldering away at Midway & Lewis, just off of I-80.
Salinas Airport: Where James Dean was headed when he crashed near Cholame (California State Highway 41/46 junction - junction and roadways since re-located).
[/i]When I saw the other night, the thought hit me that it has been years since I thought about one of my older projects -- a compilation of the various road racing circuits used in the USA, giving a circuit map and various information on the track and some of the events held on it. Then I remember why it is an unfinished project.... However, having said that, for awhile someone did so an edition every so often on SCCA racing and the circuits then in use. I used to have an early edition somewhere, but have no idea what happened to it.[/QUOTE]
Great job Don. You may have noticed how many of those sites my life has passed through or by. Even most of the others I edited out, I've passed by, some several times. Yes, attempting diagrams and (shudder) results of these early SCCA and Cal Club races would be daunting. I don't know who the Cal Club historian is, but that is a contact that should be looked into.
The book...Road Racing In America by Stone. Four editions. First c. 1960, the last in (I believe) 1971. Good book. The range of tracks diagramed in that period of time is outstanding. From some airport and early permanent circuits in the first edition to the building boom of the late 60's/early 70's in the last.
In the San Diego area there were a few others in the 60's:
Carlsbad Raceway (whose fate was just sealed on December 4th. It's lease ends in February and a "business park" will be built on the site). Regionals for both Cal Club and San Diego Region SCCA. First race, sometime in late 60's (1966 or 1967), last race in 1985. Originally planned to be San Diego Region "home track" replacement for Del Mar Fairgrounds (see below). North of San Diego, near Carlsbad. About seven miles East of I-5 on Palomar Airport Road. Visit while you can!.
San Diego Stadium - Regional races in parking lot in 1967 or 1968. My brother and I stood along a frontage road across the river and he watched through a telescope! (I was the little brother so I only got a peek
Del Mar Fairgrounds - different course layout than the one used for the San Diego GP IMSA races in the early 90's. Ran mainly through the parking lot East of fairgrounds main entrance. I have the write-up on what turned out to be the last race in 1964. "Home" track for San Diego Region SCCA.
Jim Thurman
#3
Dennis David
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- 2,483 posts
- Joined: March 99
Member
Posted 09 January 2002 - 23:41
Check this book out: Where they raced Lap 2
More auto racing has taken place in Southern California than any other equal-area region in the world. Over 170 different racing venues have dotted the landscape from Ventura to Bakersfield, Beverly Hills to Riverside, Mission Bay to El Cajon.
Where They Raced was the first serious academic work dedicated to auto racing venues in Los Angeles. Lap 2 brings all of the original book together with new information about dozens of additional retired venues, drag racing, and five new speedways. Expanding the scope to include Ventura, Kern, and San Diego Counties makes this a truly Southern California effort.
http://www.laracing.zoomie.com/
More auto racing has taken place in Southern California than any other equal-area region in the world. Over 170 different racing venues have dotted the landscape from Ventura to Bakersfield, Beverly Hills to Riverside, Mission Bay to El Cajon.
Where They Raced was the first serious academic work dedicated to auto racing venues in Los Angeles. Lap 2 brings all of the original book together with new information about dozens of additional retired venues, drag racing, and five new speedways. Expanding the scope to include Ventura, Kern, and San Diego Counties makes this a truly Southern California effort.
http://www.laracing.zoomie.com/
#4
Darren Galpin
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- 2,331 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 10 January 2002 - 08:07
Blimey......... I am having difficulty keeping up with the amount of things I have to do these days thanks to the TNF crowd. Looks like I am missing quite a few of these tracks, so onwards I go.
#5
Martin Krejci
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- 286 posts
- Joined: April 01
Member
Posted 10 January 2002 - 09:21
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Don Capps
Grand Central (Glendale) : airport course on former Grand Central Airport; CSCC, one race in November 1955
Is November definite? I've seen somewhere 'Glendale' November as well but I do have also race at Glendale 13/5, so I assume these were two events. I have found now also 'Grand Central' race on 13/11, which would be the same as Gendale November race.
So the question is if at Grand Central (Glendale) there was only one event in November or both date are correct for two different events?
Grand Central (Glendale) : airport course on former Grand Central Airport; CSCC, one race in November 1955
Is November definite? I've seen somewhere 'Glendale' November as well but I do have also race at Glendale 13/5, so I assume these were two events. I have found now also 'Grand Central' race on 13/11, which would be the same as Gendale November race.
So the question is if at Grand Central (Glendale) there was only one event in November or both date are correct for two different events?
