Walked the famous George Ray Dragstrip yesterday - pics

Spending Christmas with the inlaws in southern Missouri so my son and I made the 1 hour drive to George Ray's Wildcat dragstrip in Arkansas. Was an amazing feeling just walking around. This was George's 49th year and his wife Bonnie said he was really looking forward to next years 50th anniversary. I'll put up a couple pics but the rest are here: http://sports.webshots.com/album/576015089fgNclW

gate, $8 to race or watch

under the "tower" to the water box

pinks all out at the Wildcat

traction!

the stripe

sand trap

cheering section

PA system

Sunday Chapel

one of the natives has shed it's skin

Thats pretty cool, I first heard of George Rays on Horsepower TV. Any idea how long the track is? Does anyone know what will happen now that he's gone? Neat piece of Americana there.

The concrete is 3000' (and appears to be all 1961 vintage except for surface patching), but I believe that is from the start before the tower to the "sand trap". From what I understand they originally ran 1/4, then to 1000', and now only 1/8 mile. Bonnie said she will open in 2010 for the 50th anniversary as George was looking forward to it, after that she said she didn't know yet. My guess is it will probably be the last year so get there and see it!

Thanks for the pics!

I'd really like to run there once. That place is like a $10 hooker, you know you shouldn't because bad things could happen, but you just can't pass it up.

I did run at Graham's New Hope a few years ago and it was about the same way, only the lanes are single separate slabs about the width of a city sidewalk. I was at the ticket booth after my first pass and realized that there was no wall/guardrail after the 500' mark.

Nice bleachers.

Thanks for the great pics, loved 'em.

Thank you for sharing with us, a great piece of American Drag Racing history

always been on my must see list. Weird thing was the right lane is 18' wide but the left lane was about 12' wide with joints right where the groove is. Was the original track 18' wide? why is there two joints in the left lane? The track is amazingly flat considering it was must likely poured and hand finished.

Anyone within driving distance should make this a must see in 2010 before it's just another foot note in drag racing history.

Thanks for the great pictures. Just think how many cars raced down those lanes.

Wow...I might might need to try to make it next year.

Pretty cool Jim...I seen a video or A movie and seem to recall you had to bring your own water to the burn out box? Is that correct? LOL
I wonder why as easy as it would be just run a water line or hose? I figured its pretty much out in the middle of no man's land...And that track seen some pretty fast rides.

Cool...Very cool Post Jim
Merry Christmas man

it's not really out in the middle of nowhere, typical S Missouri/N Arkansas farm lands. Just off the main two lane highway going east out of Paragould. The second pic of the ticket booth is next to the house/garage and the track is maybe an 1/8 back from there. you can actually see it from both 412 and 135.

Track record is posted as 4.81

That place is NUTS!!!!

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Look at those weather-beaten wooden guardrails.....very lucky that in all those years, no spectators were ever killed.

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Thats whats wrong with the world today . To many people shedding responsibility on to others . If you don't have the sence to stand back or leave " tough [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] " .