75-80 Dragway to reopen

Mike Bassin · 02-19-2009, 12:29 PM

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

Michael Beard · 02-19-2009, 12:35 PM

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

Jim Helsel · 02-19-2009, 12:37 PM

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.

Robert Pare Racing · 02-19-2009, 01:57 PM

yep Michael, he was one of the best.

Mike Bassin · 02-19-2009, 06:14 PM

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

vic guilmino · 02-19-2009, 09:32 PM

hey mike
how about a stock/ ss race at carlisle

Michael Beard · 02-20-2009, 09:36 AM

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!

Mike Bassin · 02-20-2009, 01:44 PM

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

Mike Carr · 02-20-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic guilmino

hey mike
how about a stock/ ss race at carlisle

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

Mike Bassin · 02-20-2009, 03:09 PM

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

02-19-2009, 12:29 PM	#1
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	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

02-19-2009, 12:35 PM	#2
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen Did you announce the divisional race at Numidia Raceway in the late 90's? __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

02-19-2009, 12:37 PM	#3
Jim Helsel Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 70 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

02-19-2009, 01:57 PM	#4
Robert Pare Racing Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mother Earth Posts: 265 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen yep Michael, he was one of the best. __________________ Rapare-Racing.com

02-19-2009, 06:14 PM	#5
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	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

02-19-2009, 09:32 PM	#6
vic guilmino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: wv Posts: 884 Likes: 42 Liked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Re: 75-80 Dragway to reopen hey mike how about a stock/ ss race at carlisle __________________ Vic Guilmino 1129 STK

02-20-2009, 09:36 AM	#7
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	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! __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

02-20-2009, 01:44 PM	#8
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	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

02-20-2009, 03:09 PM	#10
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	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

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