203 replies to this topic

[HistoricMustang]

For anyone interested, I have put up modern day photos of the entire track taken every 115 yards for the entire 3 miles:

www.historicmustang.com/lap.html

Sorry to say, we will lose a lot of the remaining track over the next few years due to county development.

Enjoy and Good Racing,

Henry

[Lotus23]

Henry, thanks so much for your lap around the 3-mile Augusta road course. Brought back lots of memories.

I remember its heyday very well, and was there as a 25-year-old to see my LeMans buddy Fireball Roberts win the NASCAR 510. The following day, I walked around the empty track picking up "stuff": I was amazed at how many bits/pieces had fallen off the cars!

2-3 years later, by virtue of a serendipitous break in the fence, I logged many happy after-work laps around there on my motorcycle. After another local lad was killed doing the same thing, the fence was mended and the surface plowed up to discourage any more of the same.

I pass within 3 miles of the site en route to work daily, yet haven't stopped by there in ages. It had terrific promise when it first opened, but that old bugaboo money -- or lack thereof -- did it in.

[Jim Thurman]

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
For anyone interested, I have put up modern day photos of the entire track taken every 115 yards for the entire 3 miles:

www.historicmustang.com/lap.html

Sorry to say, we will lose a lot of the remaining track over the next few years due to county development.

Thanks for posting photos of AIR.

Have you thought of organizing and perhaps enlisting the local SCCA Region in order to lobby to preserve the track? It would be great to hold at least a vintage meet there. Point out to the county how it could accentuate instead of detract from any plan and that it's in their best interest to preserve the course (I don't know what the plan is, but perhaps the course could be used as a roadway in it's current form).

Local entities never seem to be aware of what a potentially valuable asset they have right under their own noses when it comes to raceways - and when it's gone, it's gone.

With the surrounding housing, it would be difficult, but not necessarily impossible. Planting more trees around the perimeter would act as a sound buffer.

It's worth a try.


Jim Thurman

[HistoricMustang]

Jim, Lotus. Thanks so much.

The track will never be raced again, but every time I am out on this great historical site I wonder what I can do to help save some memory of the place. My latest idea is for everyone interested to e-mail the Georgia State Senators and Representatives and local officials and Mayor to have some type of monument erected at the site which is now a county Park.

If I can dig up these e-mails would everyone here be willing to e-mail and perhaps have their racing friends e-mail the officials to help save some memories of this great track?

I would love to see a monument erected for Fireball Roberts and the other great drivers that raced here.

The track is still 95% in place but I understand there are plans for a school and other facilities to go up in the very near future.

Thanks for everyone's support.

I live only 5 miles from the track.

Henry

[rdrcr]

Henry,

Thanks for the tour...

I concur with Jim, if there is a way to find some sort of "deep-pocket" supporter with the required political pull in the area, one might just stand a chance. In addition, sound mitigation consultants are available for those counter-measures like analysis of burm and tree installations and other sound mitigation remedies.

BTW, are you getting your Private Messages (PM's) ?

[Don Capps]

Wow, loved the pictures! I went to about every race they had there, including one when I was sick as a dog (the Grand National race) and ended up in the hospital and out of school for several weeks. But it was worth it.

I have found some older satellite images of the track and wondered what it looked like at "street-level," but it certainly looks pretty much the same in many ways -- greener, perhaps....

[HistoricMustang]

Help me out.

There seems to be some confusion as to the layout in relation to "clockwise" or "counter clockwise" racing. Everything I have uncovered indicates it was "clockwise" which is in fact the direction that "most" road courses are run.

Can anyone provide any info that would indicate "counter clockwise" (i.e. NASCAR).

Thanks,
Henry

[rdrcr]

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
Help me out.

There seems to be some confusion as to the layout in relation to "clockwise" or "counter clockwise" racing. Everything I have uncovered indicates it was "clockwise" which is in fact the direction that "most" road courses are run.

Can anyone provide any info that would indicate "counter clockwise" (i.e. NASCAR).

Thanks,
Henry

I don't know how much help this will be, but generally speaking, if it's a road course, even with the 'ol NASCAR boys, they'll be running clockwise. From the UMIS Site

I haven't seen anything to indicate that the circuit was run counter-clockwise... though I suppose it is still possible with club events and the like...

[Don Capps]

I recall the course being run counter-clockwise. The grid layout is still in my mind and I recall it being counter-clockwise.

Just making sure I wasn't having a "senior moment," I have the June 1964 issue of U.S. Auto Sports on my desk and open to the USRRC race report.

Yep, the circuit was run counter-clockwise because the "outside" of the course is the on the right of the grid and the pits on the left.

[Lotus23]

Thanks, Don! Your recollection that it was run CCW confirms mine. (And we both were there at the time!) Certainly unusual for a road course, but not unheard of.

Hmmm...maybe we could generate a thread on CCW road courses from this...

[HistoricMustang]

Thanks Don and Lotus.

I will be changing the information on my tribute site from a "counter-clockwise" to a "clockwise" layout.

Thanks for helping me solve this mystery.

I had a phone conversation this week with one of the NASCAR drivers from the November 17, 1963 race. What a great honor!

Henry

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
Thanks Don and Lotus.

I will be changing the information on my tribute site from a "counter-clockwise" to a "clockwise" layout.

Thanks for helping me solve this mystery.

Henry

Shouldn't that be the other way around?

[rdrcr]

Originally posted by rdrcr
I don't know how much help this will be, but generally speaking, if it's a road course, even with the 'ol NASCAR boys, they'll be running clockwise. From the UMIS Site

I haven't seen anything to indicate that the circuit was run counter-clockwise... though I suppose it is still possible with club events and the like...

Originally posted by Don Capps
Shouldn't that be the other way around?

[Paul Newby]

As a self-confessed racing circuit archaelogist this is fascinating, especially that so much remains after 40 odd years. There wasn't much of a history regarding how many race meetings were conducted, when it closed and why it closed?

It would be interesting to know.

[HistoricMustang]

Sorry and yes I will get this "clock" thing cleared up. It is really confusing for me with the layout of this particular track. I am so use to having the pit lane in the infield area and Augusta had the pit lane actually "outside" of the racing area. I know that does not make a difference with the "clockwise" or "counter-clockwise" discription, but it sure keeps me turned around.

For the record, it appears the track was run in "NASCAR" style or "counter-clockwise".

I have only discovered two "major" events at the track. The November 17th, 1963 "Augusta 510" which turned out to be the "Augusta 417" as there was a time curfew of 5 hours put on the event. The other event being the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) event on March 1, 1964.

Any help in discovering other activities at the track will be much appreciated. Am curious if any "club" type events were held.

Reasons for not making it? I remember a few and have heard a few more.

The track apparently had a very abrasive surface and this can still be seen today. It has large "gravel" as the base and it apparently used up tires at an alarming rate.

The road couse layout was extremely tough on equipment.

Perhaps there were some safety concerns? At one point the track surface is within five feet, yes five feet, of the infield lakes which are spring fed and appear to be deep. This also takes place at a very fast part of the track.

I remember the guard rails being made of wood during the initial events. Maybe some concern there.

Lack of money is always a reason.

Also, at this point in time NASCAR was running 60 events a year so there was always a place to race. The Augusta road course apparently was not one of them, yet the 1/2 mile oval just up the road about 1/2 mile, which was also part of the complex saw a lot of activity.

I simply think the banked road course layed out in Nurburgring fashion was ahead of its time.

I believe the "official" closing date was in 1969 when the 1/2 was also in the process of closing down although the road course saw very little if any activity between 1964 and 1969.

Henry

[Don Capps]

There were several club events held at AIR, but I honestly don't recall the specifics. The last time I specifically made an effort to visit the track was 1968, it was just before I got drafted and a friend and I were curious since we had not heard much about the track recently. It was pretty much just sitting there, as if it was just waiting for another event.

It DID have a few "interesting" aspects such as the "water hazards" as we called them. However, we never thought it would tank after just a very few headline events. The main factor was that ol' buggaboo of all buggaboo's, money. Apparently they lost their shirt on the NASCAR road race and about the same on the USRRC event. They then lost heart and decided not to make the investment in the future, but fold and run. With the bullrings in the area basically either breaking event or showing a small profit, and requiring far less maintenance and other outlays, I guess they just said the heck with it.

I was very disappointed when the USRRC did not return in 1965. And I have always thought that it was a pity that it wasn't around in 1966 when Buck Fulp was in the USRRC. There were rumors about the track for years, but when Road Atlanta opened in 1970, it was as if AIR had never existed.

I have a vague notion that there was a repeat of the Grand National event scheduled for 1964 or even 1964, but running a reduced distance, I think 400 miles.

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by rdrcr
I don't know how much help this will be, but generally speaking, if it's a road course, even with the 'ol NASCAR boys, they'll be running clockwise. From the UMIS Site

I haven't seen anything to indicate that the circuit was run counter-clockwise... though I suppose it is still possible with club events and the like...

That is the circuit map copied from the R&T article on US road circuits in 1964. It was wrong then and since it was never corrected.....

[rdrcr]

Is this better?



So you are saying for that race, they had it wrong, but the track was used in both directions...

I have emailed that source and indicated the error, and have invited them to review this thread for further discussion.

[Jim Thurman]

Originally posted by Don Capps


That is the circuit map copied from the R&T article on US road circuits in 1964. It was wrong then and since it was never corrected.....

Errr, ummm...

I scanned the diagram out of R&T for Darren Galpin's web site ...but I have no idea where UMIS got theirs from.


Jim Thurman

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Isn't Terra Server great! I love hunting up ghost tracks on it.* Historic Mustang has these as pictures on his fantastic web site but in case you want a closer look, here are direct links:

Topo map 01 July 1980
http://terraserver-u...y=4613&z=17&w=2

Satellite photo 13 Feb 1999
http://terraserver-u...y=4613&z=17&w=2

Latitude: 33.3537
Longitude: -82.0939

Pan north to see the oval track (it's clearer on the topo map).

Pan out to see the nearby housing.

I'm learning a lot about this track today!

*HistoricMustang's phrase "Begin at the old Start/Finish line which is now the entrance to Diamond Lakes Recreation Area" was my clue to track down this one (with some help from Google).

[HistoricMustang]

Yes, you can see some interesting things in the initial link:

http://terraserver-u...y=4613&z=17&w=2

The hightest point of the track (310' above sea level) is at the upper left at the "hairpin" turn which was referred to as the "cemetary" turn. This track layout actually shows the family graveyard as "Rober Cem".

The lowest point of the circuit was down at the bottom when the infield lakes, that are actually "spring fed" (i.e. no surface water going in, except rain), left the infield area via an undertrack drainage system. At that point the track is 200' above sea level so there was an elevation change of 110' . Pretty good racing environment!

The cars carried a lot of speed along the "bottom" of the circuit and for over an eight of a mile ran extremely close to water.

This layout does not have the pit lane included.

As a side note, I was out at the track yesterday and took a photo of the old tires that lined portions of the track just as most circuits were done 40 years ago. Amazing, they are still in place and still in good shape (including some that have "white side walls") after all these years. I will put the photos up soon.

This track simply does not want to die!

Thanks,
Henry

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by rdrcr

This must be the circuit map printed in Autosport -- I think. I don't have a copy, but I am certain that is where it came from. I regret not having copies of the programs for the GN & USRRC race any more, but there was a decent circuit map in the programs.

The springs seemed to be a topic of discussion at the time. I think Joel can confirm that there was much constuction work devoted to laying pipe and so forth at the time. I remember thinking when I first realized how close the lake was to the track, "Good Lord! What were they thinking?" -- or the 1963/1964 equivalent.

Augusta is another of those "Mightabeens..."

[HistoricMustang]

Don, the point that the lakes drain from the infield into local Spirit Creek is only one of three places that the track is actually "broken" today. This area has about a 10 section gone and it appears that it is the result of nature doing its thing over the past few decades. You can still see the pipe that was used for drainage laying in the washed out area.

Other than this 10 foot section, only a 2 foot section has been removed in the turn 2/3 area to prevent vehicle traffic getting onto the course through the years.

The only other section removed is the 1/4 mile that is now the entrance to Diamond Lakes Recreational Area.

If the drainage area and the section around turns 2/3 were intact (a total of just 12"), you could still "drive" the 3 mile course today as the Park entrance access road is where the front "straight" used to be.

Henry

[Lotus23]

The 1980 topo map confirmed my memories pretty well. That easternmost portion had a terrific uphill climb: looks like 219 to 275 feet elevation in pretty short order. If you didn't have beaucoup torque at your command, you'd know it in a hurry. There was a board fence on the outside of the track at that point. I believe it was made of 2" x 10" planking, which even at the time impressed me as being sorta flimsy for its intended purpose. Somewhere I have B&W photos.

Having been lucky enough to drive any number of laps around the original Nurburgring and the Augusta road course, I can observe that there was a superficial resemblance between the two in places, but I was never in danger of confusing them. (The Ring was a lot longer and a lot greener!)

And you're right in recalling there were only those two major events ever held on the road course. In subsequent years, we locals would run gymkhana/autocross events out there on the pit road or the nearby dragstrip, but nothing of any consequence.

I don't recall any malfeasance on the part of the prinicipals. They just ran out of money.

[HistoricMustang]

Hard to believe, but this track is still "frozen in history" forty years later. Here is a photo taken a couple of weeks ago of the tires that lined the circuit, just as they did at most tracks in those days.

www.historicmustang.com/tires.html

I believe there are around twenty or thirty tires that are still in place. Check out the "white side walls".

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

If you are interested, here is a great "local" thread in the Augusta, Georgia area about the track:

http://csramotorspor...der=asc&start=0

Hope it works!

Henry

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
The hightest point of the track (310' above sea level) is at the upper left at the "hairpin" turn which was referred to as the "cemetary" turn. This track layout actually shows the family graveyard as "Rober Cem".

I was wondering what Rober Cem meant.

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
...so there was an elevation change of 110'.

The satellite picture really flattens the terrain so it's hard to see elevation change.

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
The cars carried a lot of speed along the "bottom" of the circuit

With all the banked turns, it reminds me of a 1/24th scale commercial slot car track. I bet that really helped the stock cars get around the circuit.

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
Hard to believe, but this track is still "frozen in history" forty years later. Here is a photo taken a couple of weeks ago of the tires that lined the circuit, just as they did at most tracks in those days.

I looked at your picture Henry and it's strange that the tires are not right next to the pavement??? At Riverside, Laguna Seca, etc., the half buried tires were right at the apex of the corner.

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
Check out the "white side walls".

Typically, the half-buried tires were painted white to be more visible; any remains of white paint on the tires? Just curious.

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
If you are interested, here is a great "local" thread in the Augusta, Georgia area about the track:

http://csramotorspor...der=asc&start=0

Hope it works!

Henry

Yes, the link does work; it's an interesting conversation (a different crowd for sure!). On the first page someone said:

"If I'm hearing things right, we've designed a school that will be built on the "pit" area of the track. I hear the land was bought by the school district."

Don't they know that the "pit area" is the most toxic land near a race track? Here in California, they would need to haul all that dirt to Nevada or somewhere before a school would be allowed!!!

[HistoricMustang]

On my next visit, I will inspect the tires for paint. Did not notice any that may still be attached. Perhaps the back side or inside of the tire may expose some paint. Will check.

On the tire placement in relation to the track, I will also check. The track is 45 foot wide but most of the banked areas have built up a lot of "leaves, limbs and pine cones" through the years which tend to settle at the bottom of the elevation and the track can not be seen. I should be able to get a measurement from the outside portion of the track to the tire placement and this will give us an indication of their exact location.

Keep in mind, and sad to say, the track only had a couple of major events so the opportunity was not there to have years of "bad stuff" such as raw fuel and oil in the pit/garage area. It is very clean in that respect. However, there are some opportunities before the public can again use that area. I have seen at least one "open" septic tank and am sure there are more with the multiple restroom facilities that I have located.

I have a great shot of the old garage area (50' x 300') and will get it up in a day or so. Also, have located the base of the control tower.

Thanks
Henry

[Lotus23]

Had a spare hour or so this morning, so betook myself to check out the old girl again. Best I can recall, I was last out there sometime in early 66.

Didn't have time/inclination to walk a whole lap, but did meander down the length of pit road and around T1: I'd forgotten how heavily banked it was. The cemetery is still there. "Rosier" is a surname prominent among the 20-25 graves there, and is also a common name in that neighborhood, so I suspect that "Rober" is a cartographer's typo. (In an earlier life, I made a map or two: it can happen!)

I was generally surprised at how well parts of the place have held up. Of course, the Price of Progress has taken a severe toll on other parts, and if one hadn't been there Back Then, it would be pretty difficult to extrapolate what it looked like from what remains now.

I've PM'd Henry and when the weather's a bit warmer we'll have to get together for a joint recon of the area.

[Frank S]

Originally posted by Lotus23
Had a spare hour or so this morning, so betook myself to check out the old girl again. Best I can recall, I was last out there sometime in early 66.

Didn't have time/inclination to walk a whole lap, but did meander down the length of pit road and around T1: I'd forgotten how heavily banked it was. The cemetery is still there. "Rosier" is a surname prominent among the 20-25 graves there, and is also a common name in that neighborhood, so I suspect that "Rober" is a cartographer's typo. (In an earlier life, I made a map or two: it can happen!)...

Yes, me too. Modern map makers put in mistakes for identification of stolen copyrighted material.

The highlight of my career in 'photogrammetry' was finding an aerial photo of a rectangular shape sized just right, cubit-wise, near the summit of Mount Ararat. I put a wrecked-ship symbol at that location. I never saw the published chart, but I know it left our final edit in place. Sectional Aeronautical Chart compiled in 1960. I can almost remember the acroname of the St. Louis organization that published them. NCIC? Something.

[HistoricMustang]

Lotus, thanks and given the time I think we could put together an "appreciation" type day if anyone else in this part of the world would be interested in spending an afternoon at the old track. I simply love going to the section near the infield lakes as it is in great shape.

I would be more than happy to coordinate a time with the Parks Department for a group to "do a lap around the track". The three miles is a very easy trip with only one section (crossing where the lakes drain from the infield) that will take a few extra minutes.

The Park area could also be used for resting, restrooms and perhaps a good old "picnic".

Please let me know if anyone else is interested.

Henry

As a side note, am waiting to hear back from the Mayor on the possibility of placing a plaque or monument in the Park area (Diamond Lakes Regional Park) to remember the track and the drivers.

[Seppi_0_917PA]

Originally posted by Frank S
Modern map makers put in mistakes for identification of stolen copyrighted material.

Per Terraserver: "All the data stored within Microsoft Terraserver is public domain, US Geological Survey data." so I don't think that's an issue here. Maybe sloppy handwriting in the field notes? (I'm a little bugged by "cem" for cemetery - really, how hard is it to just spell that out so that there's no confusion?)

[Lotus23]

Henry, count me in for a leisurely stroll/bench-racing session!

I was wearing a jogging suit recently and ran into a co-worker who didn't know me very well. He asked if I'd been out jogging. I quickly responded that appearances can be deceiving --- I hadn't done any serious jogging since I took off the uniform over 20 years ago!

But I still enjoy strolling/ambling/meandering. And on a good day you could get 4 or 5 miles outta me!

(Did 60 once, but that was when I was young and gung-ho.)

[Bob Holcombe]

I live on the other side of the state (Columbus, GA) but I'd be interested as well. Fondly remember listening on the radio to Fireball winning the race there.

[MPea3]

count me in for the walking tour

[HistoricMustang]

Thanks all. I will try to set up a date (and get it approved by the county) far enough out so that everone can make plans.

Henry

[Gary C]

....................any chance of running a car around there (even a road car) ??

[HistoricMustang]

Gary, believe it or not this could be done. Take a look at the layout: www.historicmustang.com/speedway.html . If you started at the lowest point where the infield lakes empty into a local creek (Sprint Creek) which is at the bottom of the map, you could travel the entire 3 mile track.

The front straight (which is actually a long uphill right hander) is now the entrance to Diamond Lakes Regional Park and the only other unbroken part of the track is a two foot section in turns 3/4 which could be taken in an automobile at slow speed.

So to answer your question. Yes, 40 years later the track can still be driven!

What a treasure that soon will be lost.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

I received great news tonite! This is a direct quote from the Director of Parks here in Augusta, Georgia that I received via e-mail after contact with the Mayor of Augusta.

"I think this is a great idea. We will work with Mr. Jones and the committee
to designate an appropriate area within the master plan of the park and help
to make this happen".

This is in reference to having a plaque or monument placed in the infield of the old road course which is now a Regional Park (Diamond Lakes Regional Park) to honor the track and the drivers that ran at this great course.

This will be done with public funds and I will try to move it forward after the Holidays. Will keep everyone informed.

Good Racing,

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

More tragic research concerning The Augusta International Raceway road course.

The "Augusta 510" was the second event of the 1964 NASCAR season.

Five and the top six finishers in that event would lose their lives on track before the second event of the 1965 season: Joe Weatherly (Riverside race - 01/19/64), Dave MacDonald (Indy race - 05/30/64), Glenn "Fireball" Roberts (Burns suffered at Charlotte race - 07/02/64). Jimmy Pardue (Charlotte tire test - 09/22/64) and Billy Wade (Daytona tire test - 01/05/65).

The sixth driver was Ned Jarrett.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

The fund drive for the monument to be placed on the ground in September 2004 will begin February 1, 2004 and run until June 1, 2004. Placement of the monument will be in the courtyard of the new community center/library complex that will begin construction in April 2004. I have a master plan of the park coming and will put it up as soon as it is received.

This initial monument will be privately funded and the additional expansion of the project will be through the public fund/grant process. Please include this place in your future travel plans. I know of no other place where you will be able to walk/bike a former circuit, visit a library or community center, play tennis, baseball, soccer, golf or camp once the Diamond Lakes Regional Park expansion is completed.

I was on the track last Sunday with other members of the Society and it was a very moving experience.

A.I.R.P.S. Memorial Fund
Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society
PO Box 1403
Hephzibah, Georgia 30815

Also, some additional info has also been put up at the site, including photo's of Dave MacDonald in the winning King Cobra and Jim Hall in the fantastic Chaparral. Plus a layout of the original idea for the circuit from 1959. So ahead of its time.

http://www.historicm...ernational.html

Good Racing and thanks for the support.
Henry

[HistoricMustang]

For those interested, I have added a "Master Plan" for Diamond Lakes Regional Park that sits in the infield of the former Augusta International Raceway:

http://www.historicm...m/speedway.html

The former 3 mile circuit is in "red" and will be used for a walking and biking trail and "X" marks the spot where our memorial will be placed on September 11, 2004. I can think of no better date to remember fallen hero's.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

The Press Release:

www.historicmustang.com/pressrelease.html

Thanks for the support.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

If anyone is coming into Augusta for the "Masters" and they have time, I should be able to get an OK from the Parks Department for a walking tour of the former circuit. I had a group on track several weeks ago and it really stirs the emotions as you remember Dave MacDonald, Ken Miles, Glenn "Fireball" Roberts and the others who experienced this high banked road course.

Good Racing,

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

This is more of an "information and time line" thread and I certainly hope the readers do not have a problem with keeping everyone informed on our progress with the monument project.

The weekend I will be attending the Statewide meeting of the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame and hopefully pick up their endorsement of our project. We also have an initial concept of the monument that will be "placed" at the track on September 11, 2004 and this will be discussed this weekend.

Here is some additional information that has been uncovered about the multiple track complex:

Four race tracks: 3 mile road course, 1/2 Mile oval, drag strip and a "micro track" for karting.
Three four-inch deep wells, with 4000 feet of three-inch main pipe.
Ten septic tanks, with total capacity of 29,000 gallons.
Eight 12' x 36' concrete concession buildings.
Ten offices at main entrance to grounds.
Eight lakes totaling 45 acres of water.
Two control towers with press, broadcasting accommodations.
Thousands of feet of steel fencing, dozens of steel gates.
Thousands of young pine trees.
Seven miles of roads.

Sadly, this information comes from auction literature used on May 19, 1967.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

More timeline on the project:

I spoke before the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association (GARHOFA) this weekend and the memorial project received endorsement from this "501C3" non-profit organization. This will permit the project to receive monies from businesses; local, state and national government agencies as well as other organizations. More importantly the memorial project now qualifies for the governmental "grant" process at the local, state and national level. These "grants" will be necessary as we grow the project during the coming years.

Henry

[HistoricMustang]

More timeline on the memorial project:

In a meeting last week with officials from the library system, it was learned that the Society will receive a display area in the new library that will be constructed next to the former pit lane.

Construction of the library will begin in about 5 weeks.

At the current time we are just trying to survive "Masters Week" here in Augusta.

The project should pick up additional speed over the next couple of months.

More information has been put up at the site for those interested, including a size comparison with the Daytona International Speedway. The size of AIR and the fact that the track is still pretty much in place surprises most people.

Thanks and Good Racing,

Henry Jones
www.augustainternationalraceway.com

[Don Capps]

Henry, I continue to be so impressed with your efforts. Great job! Don

[HistoricMustang]

Don, I sometimes feel like I need to apologize with post after post but this project continues to develop a "life" of its own.

This Saturday the Society is having a cookout to decide when we will again tour the track and also schedule a clean up day at the Park/Track and also look at a design for the monument. At this cookout will be a former driver that raced in the USRRC event on March 1, 1964. This driver, along with a driver from the NASCAR event held on November 17, 1963, will be present at the memorial dedication on September 11, 2004.

We are hoping other drivers and members of the teams involved will attend.

This project seems to be blessed by the racing "Gods".

We must all somehow remember these former tracks and drivers. This seems to be my time.

Good Racing,

Henry