Lions Drag Strip (site) (Carson, California)

USA / California / Carson / Carson, California
 dragstrip, containers, railroad yard, historical layer / disappeared object
Lions Drag Strip was opened in October of 1955 in an abandoned trainyard in Wilmington. The racetrack was one judge’s attempt to cut down on criminal street racing by giving the wayward youth a place to race legally. Teaming up with the local Lion's Club to obtain financing, and leasing land from the Harbor Commission, the city opened Lions Associated Drag Strip. The strip was also referred to as "LADS" by locals, and as "The Beach" by racers.

Ten thousand kids showed up on the first day, tearing the fence down and claiming the race track as their playground. Nearly three hundred cars fought for supremacy.

The strip was known for excellent traction and proximity to the ocean gave it what many racers believed to be "rarified air". For eighteen years, it was considered one of the finest and fastest tracks in the country, and manager Mickey Thompson turned it into one of the most successful.
Now it's a staging yard for Intermodal shipping containers.
"The Last Drag Race" was December 2, 1972. www.northernthunder.com/lastrace.html


www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn7S_CTvcA0&feature=fvw

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJ4xxMO0QM
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_Drag_Strip
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   33°48'55"N   118°13'38"W

Comments

  • I Robert Smith remember the last drag race at Lions Drag Strip. I was only a kid going there from 1968 to 1972 for I live right next to the strip living in Gold Star Homes going almost for every meet seeing the greats my favorite the Funny Cars, Snake, Mongoose, Mickey Thompson with Danny Ogonis, Roland Leong the Hawaiian, Joe Pisano and Brothers, Jim Liberman, Candie and Hughes, LA Hooker, Mako Shark, Durachrome Bug and the Fireman Big Jim Dunn and a lot more watch icon Don Garlits the Top Fuel also Connie Kalitta, Larry Dixon Tommy Ivo, Jeb Allen,. Cha Cha Shirley Muldowney any many others the Alters and Willys and the Pro Stock Car greats Jenkins, Martin ,etc. and watching the Green Mamba Jet cars and the Blue Streak watch Evil Knievel jump buses and cars there was a lot of exciting times like seeing Gene Conway break the first 7 second e.t. at Lions in his orange vette. Or being at the last AHRA drag race where we were at the end of the track when Ramchargers white and ted Challenger. funny car blew up at the finish line where we got a large piece of Don Schumacher fiberglass body and his orange and yellow parachute But the biggest thrill I got is when one night Don the Snake Prudhomme and Tom the Mongoose Mcewen bought myself and two friends Chuck Murdoch and Charles Bouby a hamburger and a coke and kicked it with us until we all ate and another highlight the very last drag race where Tom Mongoose Mcewen was racing in top fuel final and instead of starting the dragsters at the starting line Lions let each finalist push start the dragsters with their own trucks down the strip well Tom Mcewen while he was in the dragster motion me and told one his crew members to let me get in his brown pickup to push start his dragster and the great thing Tom the Mongoose Mcewen won the race on that final last run so I am proud to say I got to ride in the last drag race at Lions Drag Strip yes it was a great childhood living by the Beach the best drag strip in the world. A true story.
  • i was there too 67,68,69,and 70 my high school days then went to Vietnam as door gunner crew chief i missed the last racing as i was in nam came to the world and lions was gone but i have some photos of the strip for my grand kids to see
  • Brings back fond memories of my race days at Lions in the late 60s . I still have a tee shirt .
This article was last modified 10 years ago