6 replies to this topic

[Gary C]

I was looking through some old 16mm film I came across the other day. It's from Heidelberg Raceway in 1948. Now, I've never actually heard of this place, but it looks 'like' a board track oval. Does anyone have any information about it?

[Jim Thurman]

Heidelberg Raceway was a dirt, then paved oval in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Off the top of my head, it operated until the early to mid-1970's.

Gary, there was a thread that Heidelberg came up in, but I do not recall the particulars.

BTW, did you ever figure out the film footage from December 18, 1966?

[Lotus23]

According to Allan E. Brown's excellent The History of America's Speedways, which is never far from my reach, Heidelberg Raceway ran from '48 to '73. Initially dirt, it was paved for the '67 season. Near Pittsburgh, it ran in 1/4 and 1/2 mile incarnations over the years.

[HistoricMustang]

Believe this to be the Heidelburg Raceway located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

Active from 1948 to 1973.

Henry

http://www.observer-..._raceway_SUNDAY

http://www.einetwork.....g raceway.htm

http://www.racing-re...o/tracks?id=120

http://www.speedwayp.../Heidelburg.htm

1967

[Graham Clayton]

According to Allan E. Brown's excellent The History of America's Speedways, which is never far from my reach, Heidelberg Raceway ran from '48 to '73. Initially dirt, it was paved for the '67 season. Near Pittsburgh, it ran in 1/4 and 1/2 mile incarnations over the years.

Here is a great photo from 1952:



Source: http://www.post-gaze...raceway-644408/

It is unusual to see a dirt track with such deeply banked corners, along with no outside safety fence.

[Michael Ferner]

That's not Heidelberg, that's Oakland Speedway (née Stadium)!

[Jim Thurman]

Here is a great photo from 1952:



Source: http://www.post-gaze...raceway-644408/

It is unusual to see a dirt track with such deeply banked corners, along with no outside safety fence.

Definitely the distinctive Oakland Stadium. Photo ID error with story.

There is a concrete crashwall along the top of the banking. Most tracks had no further fencing in the corners. The only fencing was in front of spectator areas.