Hot Rods On The Mississippi Gulf Coastline – (1953-1957) The Early Many years

Very hot Rodding was a new activity where anybody with a car or truck could prove how rapid they were, if you beloved vehicles this was the location for you! The American public was no stranger to Incredibly hot Rod Racing. Very hot Rod Racing to start with became popular in California just after Environment War II with recently coined words and phrases these types of as “stripped-down” and “souped-up”. This was a time for strictly thrills, not any additional than that. These ended up really serious young guys, and some not-so-younger adult men who put in hours rebuilding motors and listening to safety lectures and seeing movies on risk-free driving. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the duration of the 1950s automobile fanatic and teen-aged kids shaped Sizzling Rod Golf equipment these types of as the Chariots, Coasters, Highway Rebels, and Rate Makers. What was the difference concerning the Chariots & Coasters? The Chariots had been structured in January 1956, with the objective of giving directed things to do in the servicing and procedure of sizzling rods. The Coasters organized Oct 4, 1954. Holding a charter with the Countrywide Sizzling-Rod Affiliation made up of Keesler Field Guys. The club was organized for on-the-foundation military services staff and their dependents.

1955

Right before there was a drag strip close by were being one particular could find the Keesler Auto Club (Coasters) operating on drag strips, these kinds of as condition-extensive drag races held at Jackson’s William’s Airport and in Florida. On July 30, 1955 the Keesler Car Club entered five autos in the competition, and took initially, next, and 3rd locations in the stock course, first location in sporting activities vehicle class, and first spot in the modified course.

1956

Drag Strips were necessary for the expanding acceptance of the activity. Also it is possible the Keesler Automobile Club was tired of traveling these kinds of significantly distances. So what did they do? They appreciated what they observed at Jackson and did the similar detail. On December 29, 1956 the first drag racing function in the Biloxi region was staged at Keesler Air Pressure Base. Quarter-mile speed runs ended up held on the Northeast-Southwest Runway. The party was a achievement pulling in as several racers as the Jackson races, and much more. On February 23, 1957 a 2nd drag race was held at Keesler with a 1903 Cadillac, and 1900 McIntyre entered by George Ohr of Biloxi.

1957

A press for a long term house for a drag strip experienced been in the earning for a long time. Culminating 4 a long time of put together and united endeavours by a lot of Gulf Coast citizens, structured auto, and motorbike clubs a Drag Strip was made. The Gulf Coastline Drag Strip was sanctioned by ministers, public officers and civic clubs. Earl C. Nolan guide the challenge as president of the drag strip and within just two months the Gulf Coastline Drag Strip was built for 30,000 dollars.

On Aug 18, 1957 the initially celebration took place.

September 8, 1957 the Grand Opening took location, received by J.D. Gagliano of New Orleans, LA in his flame ’34 Incredibly hot Rod Coupe.

Ray Butterfield, supervisor of Radio Station WLOX, served as master of ceremonies, and Defeat One particular Supervisor Dewey Lawrence lower the ribbon to formally open up the racing plan. Brig. Gen. John R. Sutherland, Keesler Air Power Foundation commander, Brig. Gen. John R. Fowler, Keesler AFB, Mayor Laz Quave and Commissioner Dominic Fallo of Biloxi, Deputy Sheriff George Rosetti, and Earl Nolan, president of Gulf Coastline Drag Strip. Inc., ended up between people introduced to the crowd with a message about the facility.

Earl C. Nolan president, Gulf Coast Drag Strip, Inc. claimed: “Hundreds of boys in the Condition of Mississippi are overcome with the want to build and create their personal motor vehicle. This new Drag Strip was constructed for these budding youthful mechanics and engineers. Their expert hands and scientific minds have developed and generated devices which demonstrate outstanding ingenuity in motion. They have desperately been exploring for an group or group of men and women to represent and help them in their wrestle for a Drag Strip and for acceptance of drag racing as the Most recent of Sports activities. Boys can now safely and securely travel to any speed in just their abilities with a experience of self esteem, on our new Standing Begin Quarter-Mile Drag Strip. I desire to thank the lots of Coast citizens and lots of other folks throughout the condition for their fantastic interest and endless assistance that they have specified me and my colleagues.”

Minimal did they know what they were setting up… or the record they had been generating, which all lead up to racing some of drag racing’s greatest stars, and lots of of the most legendary Very hot-Rod devices of all time on the Mississippi Gulf Coastline. This is the tale of the start of drag racing in Mississippi, and the Biloxi Dragway, a stepping stone to Present day Classic Cars and trucks and Incredibly hot Rod Popularity!