Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip (Montgomery, New York)

Paul Ceasrine · 04-02-2013, 12:07 PM

Mr. SS Wannabe,

Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip (Dunkirk, New York)

Near the Western-Tip of New York.

Chattauqua County, along Lake Erie in Western, New York.

Many Drag Racers from;
* Western New York
* North-Central and North-West Pennsylvania
* Northeastern Ohio

An active Airport, which was closed on Sunday's and used for 'Timed Accelerated Drag Racing'.

May have started Drag Racing use in 1955, and ran thru 1963.

I believe it was a NASCAR sanctioned track.

Big Strip that was 5000' in Length and 100' in Width
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Swamp Rat 1', was a rail built on a 31' Chevrolet Frame-rail..

The Engine was a ''454' Chrysler Hemi, that was Super-Charged with Nitro-Methane Fuel.

On June 29, 1959 - Don Garlits had a 'fiery crash' with the Dragster at Chester, South Carolina - when the
Blower 'expolded'.

The Dragster was then 'modified' with an extended cockpit for the 'taller' Art Malone. It was called the 'Swamp Rat 1-B'

In September 1959, the "Swamp Rat 1-B" reached a 'Top Speed' of '195.63 MPH' at Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip,
with 'Art Malone' at the wheel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don Garlits (1960) at Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip

ss wannabee · 04-02-2013, 08:52 PM

Wow! Thanks again Paul...for the history lesson.

Paul Ceasrine · 04-02-2013, 10:34 PM

Thanks,,,,,,,,,,Mr. SS

Looks like the Dunkirk Airport was built in the early 1940's.

A { 5000' x 100' } "Asphalt-Paved Runway" was put down around 1950.

The Drag Racers loved it, because of the 'traction' and perfect grade.

Called the 'Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip'

It was referred to as, 'a glass smooth track'.

NASCAR sanctioned.

Accelerated Timing Tests (Drag Races) started around 1955.

An additional { 764' x 100' } Auxiliary Taxi Runway was added around 1958.

Looks like Drag Racing ended around 1963 or 1964.

An additional { 4000' x 100' } "Asphalt-Paved Runway" was added sometime in 1973.

Currently listed as Chatauqua County/Dunkirk Airport, though it is referred to as Dunkirk Airport.

At the moment, loses a 'ton of money' per year.

Local Chatauqua County Residents want it returned back to a Drag Strip, where they can lease it out to bring in some revenue.

Located 6 Miles East, away from the center of Dunkirk, New York.

Some controversy about the recorded 'Top Speed' results at the Dragstrip-Airport, when MPH results exceded readings
at other Airport-Dragstrips.

04-02-2013, 12:07 PM	#1
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip (Montgomery, New York) Mr. SS Wannabe, Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip (Dunkirk, New York) Near the Western-Tip of New York. Chattauqua County, along Lake Erie in Western, New York. Many Drag Racers from; * Western New York * North-Central and North-West Pennsylvania * Northeastern Ohio An active Airport, which was closed on Sunday's and used for 'Timed Accelerated Drag Racing'. May have started Drag Racing use in 1955, and ran thru 1963. I believe it was a NASCAR sanctioned track. Big Strip that was 5000' in Length and 100' in Width ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Swamp Rat 1', was a rail built on a 31' Chevrolet Frame-rail.. The Engine was a ''454' Chrysler Hemi, that was Super-Charged with Nitro-Methane Fuel. On June 29, 1959 - Don Garlits had a 'fiery crash' with the Dragster at Chester, South Carolina - when the Blower 'expolded'. The Dragster was then 'modified' with an extended cockpit for the 'taller' Art Malone. It was called the 'Swamp Rat 1-B' In September 1959, the "Swamp Rat 1-B" reached a 'Top Speed' of '195.63 MPH' at Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip, with 'Art Malone' at the wheel. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don Garlits (1960) at Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 04-03-2013 at 11:48 AM.

04-02-2013, 08:52 PM	#2
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip (Montgomery, New York) Wow! Thanks again Paul...for the history lesson.

04-02-2013, 10:34 PM	#3
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip (Montgomery, New York) Thanks,,,,,,,,,,Mr. SS Looks like the Dunkirk Airport was built in the early 1940's. A { 5000' x 100' } "Asphalt-Paved Runway" was put down around 1950. The Drag Racers loved it, because of the 'traction' and perfect grade. Called the 'Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip' It was referred to as, 'a glass smooth track'. NASCAR sanctioned. Accelerated Timing Tests (Drag Races) started around 1955. An additional { 764' x 100' } Auxiliary Taxi Runway was added around 1958. Looks like Drag Racing ended around 1963 or 1964. An additional { 4000' x 100' } "Asphalt-Paved Runway" was added sometime in 1973. Currently listed as Chatauqua County/Dunkirk Airport, though it is referred to as Dunkirk Airport. At the moment, loses a 'ton of money' per year. Local Chatauqua County Residents want it returned back to a Drag Strip, where they can lease it out to bring in some revenue. Located 6 Miles East, away from the center of Dunkirk, New York. Some controversy about the recorded 'Top Speed' results at the Dragstrip-Airport, when MPH results exceded readings at other Airport-Dragstrips. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 04-02-2013 at 10:48 PM.