75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Found out today that they will open on the 3rd of April 2009 @ 4 o'clock and its going to be IHRA. Their website is not set up yet but they can be e-mailed at e-mailinfo@75-80dragway.com

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Here is a link that can help people get an idea of what is happening there....great to see a dragstrip come back from the dead!

http://www.75-80dragway.com/

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

cant wait to eat those sloppy joes

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

It'd be great to see the trend of dragstrips closing due to housing development reverse itself and plow under some of the overbuilt ,undersold developments that popped up all around race tracks because of cheap land and unscrupelous developers........But then I woke up! ....Glad to see a historic track like 75-80 come back regardless of who is sanctioning it. ....Tom

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

I am very much looking forward to this. I'd like to have a class race there if the racers will support it...let's see how things go.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Looking at their website, it appears it's mostly about heads-up/Outlaw racing. Don't know if they'd be interested in a S/SS race. If they would be, I'd be willing to help.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

75-80 was the birthplace of Stock Superstock Associations. Lee Sherman and Fred Reich must have pulled some strings from the great beyond.
I made my first pass at 75-80.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

I won my first race at 75-80. Would love to see a few bracket races or a combo race end up on that schedule.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

I won an all Ford race there back in 1999.
I am very suprised to see it re-opening, but am glad none the less.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Great to see 75-80 soon ready for a new beginning in April. I talked to Kevin Stanley on Tues. He sounds enthusiastic and they are moving fast to make improvements to make this a great race track. Their website is up, lots of different classes, mostly heads up and index stuff but test and tune available also, 1/8 and 1/4 mile racing. Will be there opening day. Can't wait! My introduction to drag racing was as a 15 yr old in 1961 at 75-80, I was hooked right away. Won my first trophy, mom's 62 dodge in 1962. Starting selling drag news same year and finally worked in the tower some in 1963, got to do announcing that same year. I announced there from '64 to '72 and then again from '86 to '95. Have been announcing at South Mountain, now Quarter Aces and Maple Grove and now currently at Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way. A big regret was that I didn't attend the last 75-80 event in 2005, had just worked the Dutch Classic at M.G.
and hadn't been home for awhile and was beat. Now I get a second chance, Hope the last race is many years away! Long Live 75-80 Dragway. A big pat on the back to Bill and Betty Wilcom and the entire Wilcom family and all the staff members that worked hard and made it a fun and great place to race over the last 46 years, 1960 - 2005.

Mike Bassin

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Did you announce the divisional race at Numidia Raceway in the late 90's?

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

I have been talking to Jay the last couple of days about having a race there but they are sticking to their guns with the heads up racing, which is cool I guess because no one is doing that. We will see what happens.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

yep Michael, he was one of the best.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

In answer to Michael Beard's post, yes I announced the Numidia race from 1995 til 2005 along with Dave McMeans. He is going to help me with our 3 Carlisle Events friday shows at Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way in June and July. Also announced all the Lucas Oil races and Dutch Classic events at Maple Grove from 2004-2007. All great well attended races, great cars and drivers, great performances. Got work with Lewis Bloom, a truely excellent announcer and good guy and with Joe Grippo, also a very knowledgable announcer, takes great photos too. Always enjoyed anytime I could send sportsman cars down the track, like them all but stock and super stock the most fun. Gotta appreciate the skill level of the Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street racers. Tough classes, the slightest error in those classes and you're done.

Mike Bassin

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

hey mike
how about a stock/ ss race at carlisle

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

I thought so - was just never sure of your last name. I went to spectate at the Numidia FMDRS in '95 & '96 as a young pup. I didn't realize how early they started the one year, and as I came in the spectator gate, Stock was already rolling. I ran to the fence, and was treated to a phenomenal history lesson. It was stunning to me how much you could convey about each car's combination and its driver. You inspired me, both as a driver and an announcer. Thank you!

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Michael, thanks for the nice words, always loved calling stock / super stock, when first started announcing there was no bracket racing, didn't come til about '69 or '70. stockers and later super stockers were king in the northeast. Gassers, modified production, altered, roadsters were big but not like the stockers. The coolest years with most dramatic changes to cars and the performance level was from 1962 to 1965. Well sorted out 62 409's, 406's, 421's and 413's could run high to mid 12's and by late 1965, altered wheel base mopars on fuel or alcohol, fuel injected way down in the 9's. No other period so short saw such enormous performance gains. Sent all that stuff down the 75 - 80 quarter mile at some point. Never forget those days, but you know what, todays racing is terrific as well, so much variety, something for everybody. Ever need any help announcing and event in N.C. let me know!

Mike Bassin

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Vic, are you meaning the track at Boiling Springs (Quarter Aces)? I had contacted them but heard no answer from them.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Mike Carr, please give me a call, give me some dates that don't clash with other events, lucas oil, national events etc. and I'll be glad to try to put something together that works for everyone! 717-259-7996

Mike Bassin

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Mike, what about the World Footbrake Challenge at Bristol? I'd put in a good word for you with the promoters. or Jim Helsel's $5K S/SS combo at Beaver Springs that's running in conjunction with the York US-30 Nostalgia Nationals. (you can suffer through one weekend, right?) :p You might also want to offer up your services to IHRA events.

I announced at the first WFC, which was a blast, but at the same time it killed me to not be racing!

You probably remember my bracket car... the "Dust Devil" w/ Taz on it... orange '74 Duster.

Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen
 

Michael, yes I remember the '74 duster, you won a bracket finals in that car sometime back as I recall. Would love to announce a foot brake race however my job at Quarter Aces drag-O-Way is a full time position and can't skip out for another race unless it is a fri. or sat. deal. November thru march is ok though.

Mike Bassin