We will never see drag racing like this again. Watch this amazing ’60s match-racing action from Cecil County Dragway way back when. And hang onto your seat.
In the 1960s, Cecil County Dragway in Northeast Maryland was a hotbed for Super Stock, Factory Experimental, and funny car racing. All the top East Coast drag racers ran there weekly, joining racers from all over the country for hot and heavy match racing action. These wild and primitive drag cars drove down the track every way but straight, giving the spectators a thrilling show. In this collection of awesome home movies from Cecil County, filmed from 1965 through 1967, you will see:
+ Phil Bonner’s wicked A/Factory Experimental Falcons, both the Sklylight Blue ’64 and Poppy Red ’65 versions.
+ The Strip Blazer III ’65 Chevelle altered-wheelbase match racer campaigned by Malcolm Durham, the pioneering African-American drag racer from Washington, DC.
+ The Tasca Ford Mystery 9 extended-wheelbase Mustang funny car, constructed by Holman Moody and driven by ace Tasca mechanic Bill Lawton.
. . . and many, many more, as they say. This video is actually an online teaser for a full-length DVD marketed by Bee On Video (866-385-2025). You can check out the full video lineup and order your favorites at the company’s website here. Meanwhile, enjoy the awesome ’60s drag racing action. Truly, we will never see drag racing the likes of this again. Video below.
Cool stuff, although, I’m wondering if the sound wasn’t dubbed in. Some pretty big names there. I believe the Chevy ll was Grumpy’s 1st car. What was that stuff they sprinkled on the track? Never saw that before.
Rosin.
Howard,
I believe what they were putting on the track was a traction compound, most popular was called Gold Dust. It was actually a dried pine resin IIRC.
Even for me there was some well known names and cars there.
And most of the cars were manual too. Unlike these days where just about all auto.
Those were the days!!! I recognized Landy’s Dodge right away. I’ll always remember Dick Landy and his immense stogies.
Whenever I see a modified Anglia or Willys, I understand fully why people wanted to modify them; they just look great with a modern powertrain. Of course that has since left the original pickings quite rare.
Landy’s Dodge was an automatic 426″ Hemi with Hiiborn injectors. The weight balance of the car was such that a few pounds either way would keep it down or do a wheel stand. If he wanted to do a wheelie pass, we’d bolt a couple of rimmed slicks in the trunk and it would stay up until Dick let off the throttle. A great racer and always a good showman!