Lions Drag Strip was built in 1955 on the border of Long Beach and Wilmington California. I first visited the strip in 1960 at the ripe old age of 12. Living about a mile from Lions Drag Strip, I grew tall and strong on the fumes from Nitro-methane and M&H rubber smoke. When I got grounded for being a typical Southern California youth, I would sit on the roof of my parents house and be able to see the smoke rise from the 8 second 1/4 mile runs of the top fuel cars of that day. On really still nights with a favorable wind, I could even hear the announcer over the PA system at the track! This was in the days before the 405 freeway was built. After that great concrete monster invaded, I could only here the sounds of screaming Chrysler Hemis. When I couldn't get a ride to the drags, I would walk to and from the track. Don't try that today!

These photos were all taken by me with a Brownie camera. No shutter speed settings or exposure adjustments, just pan with the action and hope it came out!Some may appear on the internet on pay-to-view sites, but they are mine and they are free for you to see here!

Sure miss those "Good Ole Days".