Here's some photos from my past. The first one is of a Beaumont that I saw occasionally around Vancouver. It's sitting at the side of the road while his alcohol funny car makes a pass on our old strip in Cawston, BC. This was his tow car. It was Gold with a black vinyl roof, had custom paint swirls, side pipes, big tires, and a 454 in it. Circa 1975
The next one is a Beaumont at the Vancouver custom car show in about 1972. Don't know anything about it though.
We had a section of old highway that we used for a couple of years, with the blessing of the local town. We'd block it off about every second weekend. Then we discovered that the insurance wasn't really valid, so it died in early 76.
Great shots! Those highway shots from '75 may be a sign of the future. What with the pending doom of such facilities as "Race City", these scenes of spectators and racers gathering on back road may become reality again. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not?
__________________
"Repulsive since 1959"
2015 Camaro SS1 2014 GMC Sierra 1969 GTO 2005 Dodge Daytona Short Box Regular cab P/U 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix Enduro stock car
i read an article in an old car magazine about the very same place. this went on for yrs, even with the police presence! what i would do, if we could only go back in time! great pics!
We had the blessing of the local council, the police and anyone else that counted. The road was little used, and was blocked off for each event. You had to pay to enter or watch. Rails and funny cars made single runs because of the width of the road. I was flag starter occasionally.
-- Edited by StriperSS on Sunday 21st of November 2010 11:34:17 AM
Great photos...they remind me when I lived up in Grande Prairie AB (late 70's early 80's). We used to race on the highway outside of Ft. St. John BC at a place called Rolla. This was a regular Sunday event and there were timing lights set up, a bleacher in the ditch and sometimes refreshments. Rumour had it that the BC Minister of Highways son was one of the racers from Ft. St. John...
There was a detour around the blocked off part of the highway. Once in while the farmer at the far end of the track would venture out on the road but knew better to proceed without looking. After 6 or so runs the cars would all come back down the road together and the next group would go.
The guys I raced with had an 11 second 69 Camaro but there were lots of cars faster than that. Apparently the Rolla races are no more, and one of the runways at the airport in FT. St. John (and Grande Prairie) are now used. Too bad I never took any pictures of the Rolla races...we had some good times there. My friends still have their 69 camaro and it continues to run in the 11's.
ZAPPER
__________________
1949 Pro Street Meteor Coupe, 468 BBC, 4L80E, Narrowed 9" 3.50 posi
1966 Biscayne post, 427 L72, M21, 4.11's 16600 original miles
1966 Hemi Satellite 4 gear 59K original miles 1968 Z28 302MO, M21, 3.73's, cowl plenum induction
I thought you would like to see some pictures from the late 60's. The black and whites are from racing at Kitimat on July 1st, 1968. This is my L79 Acadian Canso SD. This car was ordered new from McRae Motors, Prince Rupert in 1966 (I bought it from the first owner in early '68), but was a late build (May) and apparently there weren't any posi 12 bolts available. That's why you only see one tire smoking. It was a great car and it scared the hell out of my friends and their muscle cars.
The Acadian was dark green/black interior. It had the wide ratio 4 speed. As a side note my friend in Prince Rupert owned the Aztec Bronze 1966 Parisienne (not Custom Sport) that Bowell Mclean sponsered At Mission Raceway. It was a bench seat 427/425 with a 4.56 rear. It hauled!
The Acadian was dark green/black interior. It had the wide ratio 4 speed. As a side note my friend in Prince Rupert owned the Aztec Bronze 1966 Parisienne (not Custom Sport) that Bowell Mclean sponsered At Mission Raceway. It was a bench seat 427/425 with a 4.56 rear. It hauled!
My 2 favourite cars! An SD Acadian L79 and a 427 powered 66 Pontiac.
And the Parisienne ended up...........................???
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Hi John, of course I remember. How are you doing? It has been a while, I now have Derek's 1965 Chevelle SS. I am doing a frame off right now. Lots of money but it should be worth it. I believe you found the AM/FM radio thats in it(a rare piece now). Are you still in the business.
The 3 you've posted already are pretty cool!