......... that triggers all sorts of memories .......... and makes you remember just how lucky and privileged you are to even have those memories
This picture, from Dave Hamburger's collection, strikes a very deep connection with me, as Amarillo Dragway was the track that I learned on, cut my teeth on, got my competition license on, and raced on oh so many times .............
The picture, which has to have been taken in the mid 1960's shows Tommy Ivo turning around in the staging lanes while Eddie Hill waits to do the same ........... you see, at that time Amarillo had no "fire up road" (it was added in the '70's) ............ cars that had to be push started entered the track from the finish line exits and were pushed back down the strip toward the starting line to be started ............... I have made that "turn-around" with the altered (since it had to be push started)...... and have pulled into that staging area so many times that I can't begin to count ........... with a J/S '55 Chevy, with a C/S '60 Chevy, with a B/MP '65 El Camino, with a SS/A '65 Plymouth, with a B/MSP '61 Corvette, and with the A/A '32 Austin Bantam roadster.
I see a picture like this, and I can't help but realize just how blessed and fortunate I am ................ thanks for bearing with an "old fart" as he reminisces
Posted by WayneSS01 (Member # 734) on :
Great story and thanks for the pic! I saw 'T.V. Tommy Ivo in Hunstville, AL in the late 60's. Have some black and white pics from my brownie camera. My cousin took me there in his 67 Corvette. I hitch-hiked though Amarillo in the early 80's a couple of times. Was headed to NM for some rock climbing and rapelling (sp?) Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
The 'good' ol' days. I always liked the front engined dragsters with the big blown Chrysler motors. I got serious about going to the drags in '64, and still remember the first time I heard one of these monsters fire up.
Thanks for sharing. Posted by KenC (Member # 189) on :
good ol TeJas............ Posted by DarkSde (Member # 2012) on :
I envy your memories! Thanks for the pics OC!
Posted by CamaroSCG (Member # 1591) on :
That's a nice looking rail! Thanks
Posted by jimb0 (Member # 176) on :
MOST C L story...
...and a very nice quiver of cars you ran...
...indeed... Posted by SS_CarGuy (Member # 2065) on :
Ahhhhhhh........the good old days. While I did not compete like you did, I saw plenty of drag races. Tracks and cars have sure changed but the excitement levels are still the same. I just loved it in the old days when top-fuelers used to smoke the tires all the way down the quarter mile. That's about the only thing from the old days that doesn't happen today.......it's probably better for our lungs anyways....LOL Posted by 35th SS Drop Top (Member # 1767) on :
Very cool, John.
That's a little before my time, but I always enjoy seeing some motorsports history. Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
quote:Originally posted by KenC:
good ol TeJas............
.....some of us are just lucky, i guess.... Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
I saw 'T.V. Tommy Ivo in Hunstville, AL in the late 60's. Have some black and white pics from my brownie camera. My cousin took me there in his 67 Corvette. I hitch-hiked though Amarillo in the early 80's a couple of times. Was headed to NM for some rock climbing and rapelling (sp?) ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
