New York Drag Strips

[Paul Ceasrine]

DRAGS - Pittsfield, Massachussets Airport

Pittsfield, Massachussets (Berkshire County)

Located on the border of Massachussets and New York

Location.......Pittsfield Airport
* Tamarack Road - Pittsfield, Massachussets
* Route 7

* Airport Opened........May 1941

* Drag Racing............{1957 thru 1963}

* Race Day.................Sunday......Once-a-Month Events (May thru September)
* Track........................1/4 Mile Track

* The last 'monthly' Drag Racing Event was held in September 1963

* Flag Starts

* Top Speed 'MPH' was measured.
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* 'Main Runway'.........5007' Length x 100' Wide (Asphalt)

* 'Second Runway'....3496' Length x 100' Wide' (Asphalt)

* Monthly Events sponsored by the 'Pittsfield Kiwanis Club'

Attracted Racers from
Western Massachussets
Springfield, Massachussets.................(55 Miles Southeast)
Massachussets - New York Border......(25 Miles West)
Albany, New York...................................(45 Miles West)
Poughkeepsie, New York......................(80 Miles Southwest)
Northwestern Connecticut......................(30 Miles South)
Torrington, Connecticut..........................(85 Miles South)

'Hey Day'...........{1958 thru 1961}

Car Counts.......125 to 150

Featured
* Stockers
* Sports Cars
* Street-Roadsters
* Gassers

General Overview

* Primarily a 'Monthly Event' held throughout the Summer months.
* Sponsored by the Pittsfield Kiwanis Club, to generate funds for the Town Recreation Department.
* The Pittsfield Airport let the 'DRAGS' use the Airport Strip on Sundays.
* There was never a desire to develop the Airport for 'full-time' Drag Racing.
* Held successful 'monthly events' from 1958 thru 1962, where Car Counts reached 150.
* Participation 'dwindled' in 1963, as other 'Drags Strips' opened up in the surrounding areas.
* In 1963, Car Counts dropped below 100.
* Lack of Racer participation in 1963, ended the Monthly Summer 'DRAGS' at the end of the year..
* A 'once-a-year' 'DRAGS' event was held in the month of August from 1964 thru 1968.
* Over the years, a 'Yearly' Car Event was held at the Airport, where Sports Car Drag Racing takes place.