In Remembrance... The Ghosts of old race tracks - Page 5 - Auto Racing Memories

JRHud · 12-03-2011, 02:49 PM

How about the legendary Manzanita outside of Phoenix?
Looks like when this Satalite photo was taken, the demolition had already begun.

Dago Red · 08-19-2012, 09:06 PM

Boy wouldn't that "Lakeside Speedway" sign be so cool in somebody's shop!

roll cage · 09-16-2012, 01:02 AM

Eric, old raceway chasing is a hobby of mine, too, It fascinates me to no end.

That is why I have climed on board, this board to tag along, and add info if I can. I will do my best.

Yes, I have been to many of old lost raceways, and still can hear that sound of stock cars and sprint cars scorching the surfaces.

It's kind of a eerie sight, though, seeing something that had hosted race cars and teams, and millioins of paying customers to whatch a night of races. Those were good memories, and so sad recent ones, too.

webby · 09-16-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roll cage

Eric, old raceway chasing is a hobby of mine, too, It fascinates me to no end.

That is why I have climed on board, this board to tag along, and add info if I can. I will do my best.

Yes, I have been to many of old lost raceways, and still can hear that sound of stock cars and sprint cars scorching the surfaces.

It's kind of a eerie sight, though, seeing something that had hosted race cars and teams, and millioins of paying customers to whatch a night of races. Those were good memories, and so sad recent ones, too.

It is fascinating isn't it? Can't wait to see what you have to share.

cjcoburn · 01-18-2013, 01:45 PM

I thought I was the only one fascinated by old abandoned racetracks! Nice to find a community of folks who are just as interested in this stuff as I am.

I grew up in western Massachusetts, watching weekly modified races at Monadnock Speedway & Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire. As a kid I grew up idolizing the Goshen Ghost, #121 Punky Caron. I think the only other driver I've ever seen pilot a modified around a short track with such ease as Punky is Ted Christopher. Anyways I digress.

I always used to hear my dad talk about defunct racetracks of his youth, located in Northern Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. I'm going to use this forum to post what I know about those places and hope others who know these tracks will collaborate.

Great forum!

cjcoburn · 01-18-2013, 02:20 PM

Catamount stadium was a 1/3 mile oval located in Milton, VT, just off I-89 and route 7. It operated from 1965 to 1987 on Saturday nights, and was popular due in large part to the fact that other racetracks in the area (Thunder Road, Devil's Bowl, Airborne Speedway) ran on other nights. Below is an image from 1965 when the track first opened, as well as a photo of what it looks like today. You can still make out the outline of the racetrack in the grass.

Here is a great website showcasing the history of the speedway and the drivers who made it a popular place to see a race:

http://www.catamountstadium.com/

cjcoburn · 01-18-2013, 02:56 PM

Fairmont Speedway or Fairmont Park Motor Speedway was a 1/2 mile dirt oval located on the fairgrounds in Fair Haven, VT. It operated in 2 phases, one in the early 50s, and another in the late 50's to mid 60s. I believe the track opened in 1949 and was officially closed in 1965.

catstad · 11-23-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olen McGuire

Here is a recent street view of Lakeside Speedway.
Taken from 44th ave this would be the rear of the west stands.

I am from considerably further East. We had a Lakeville Speedway in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Check out that and more on my site:
www.catamountstadium.com

Andrew4180 · 03-16-2014, 09:48 AM

For the life of me, I cant get my computer to save the images, but if you have google earth and can look at the aerial photos from different years, go back to the 1953 and 1944 photos from above where the Houston Astrodome and Reliant Stadium now sit, theres remains of what looks like a 1/2mile oval, (maybe a horse track?) right where the Stadium is now, and in the 1953 image, if you look just north of it, you can see what may be Houston Playland park? if I ever figure out how to make this work ill post pictures.

Arnaud Jorissen · 08-03-2014, 08:25 AM

so nice to read your story's about the old days race track events.
I bet you all still drive a nice car of those time's or a little younger one ?
I also love those story of the cars you where driving those days.
and what you still own for car, or what you still see parked in a fields.
that's so pitty like the race tracks

12-03-2011, 02:49 PM	#41
JRHud Rookie Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Alamitos CA Age: 66 Posts: 16	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks How about the legendary Manzanita outside of Phoenix? Looks like when this Satalite photo was taken, the demolition had already begun. Attached Thumbnails

08-19-2012, 09:06 PM	#42
Dago Red Newbie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Worth, TX Age: 64 Posts: 7	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Boy wouldn't that "Lakeside Speedway" sign be so cool in somebody's shop!

09-16-2012, 01:02 AM	#43
roll cage Newbie Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Eric, old raceway chasing is a hobby of mine, too, It fascinates me to no end. That is why I have climed on board, this board to tag along, and add info if I can. I will do my best. Yes, I have been to many of old lost raceways, and still can hear that sound of stock cars and sprint cars scorching the surfaces. It's kind of a eerie sight, though, seeing something that had hosted race cars and teams, and millioins of paying customers to whatch a night of races. Those were good memories, and so sad recent ones, too.

01-18-2013, 01:45 PM	#45
cjcoburn Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Age: 35 Posts: 3	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks I thought I was the only one fascinated by old abandoned racetracks! Nice to find a community of folks who are just as interested in this stuff as I am. I grew up in western Massachusetts, watching weekly modified races at Monadnock Speedway & Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire. As a kid I grew up idolizing the Goshen Ghost, #121 Punky Caron. I think the only other driver I've ever seen pilot a modified around a short track with such ease as Punky is Ted Christopher. Anyways I digress. I always used to hear my dad talk about defunct racetracks of his youth, located in Northern Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. I'm going to use this forum to post what I know about those places and hope others who know these tracks will collaborate. Great forum!

01-18-2013, 02:20 PM	#46
cjcoburn Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Age: 35 Posts: 3	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Catamount stadium was a 1/3 mile oval located in Milton, VT, just off I-89 and route 7. It operated from 1965 to 1987 on Saturday nights, and was popular due in large part to the fact that other racetracks in the area (Thunder Road, Devil's Bowl, Airborne Speedway) ran on other nights. Below is an image from 1965 when the track first opened, as well as a photo of what it looks like today. You can still make out the outline of the racetrack in the grass. Here is a great website showcasing the history of the speedway and the drivers who made it a popular place to see a race: http://www.catamountstadium.com/

01-18-2013, 02:56 PM	#47
cjcoburn Newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Age: 35 Posts: 3	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Fairmont Speedway or Fairmont Park Motor Speedway was a 1/2 mile dirt oval located on the fairgrounds in Fair Haven, VT. It operated in 2 phases, one in the early 50s, and another in the late 50's to mid 60s. I believe the track opened in 1949 and was officially closed in 1965.

03-16-2014, 09:48 AM	#49
Andrew4180 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Age: 24 Posts: 39	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks For the life of me, I cant get my computer to save the images, but if you have google earth and can look at the aerial photos from different years, go back to the 1953 and 1944 photos from above where the Houston Astrodome and Reliant Stadium now sit, theres remains of what looks like a 1/2mile oval, (maybe a horse track?) right where the Stadium is now, and in the 1953 image, if you look just north of it, you can see what may be Houston Playland park? if I ever figure out how to make this work ill post pictures.

08-03-2014, 08:25 AM	#50
Arnaud Jorissen One Post Wonder Join Date: Aug 2014 Age: 45 Posts: 1 Limited Membership - Awaiting Certification.	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks so nice to read your story's about the old days race track events. I bet you all still drive a nice car of those time's or a little younger one ? I also love those story of the cars you where driving those days. and what you still own for car, or what you still see parked in a fields. that's so pitty like the race tracks