Lions Drag Strip facts for kids
Lions Drag Strip was a famous place in Wilmington, California. It was a special track where people raced fast cars, called drag racing. The track was open from 1955 to 1972. It was named after its supporters, the Lions Clubs International. Many races held there were approved by the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA).
What Was Lions Drag Strip?
Lions Drag Strip was a popular raceway in Southern California. It was a straight track where two cars would race side-by-side. They would speed up as fast as they could over a short distance. This type of racing is called drag racing. The track was a big deal for car enthusiasts. It hosted many exciting races.
Why Did Lions Drag Strip Close?
Over time, more and more people moved near the track. They started to complain about the loud noise from the racing cars. These complaints went to local government officials. Because of the noise, people tried to stop the track from operating.
The track had a special rule from the start. It could be closed with just 30 days' notice. On November 2, 1972, this notice was given. The very last races happened on December 2, 1972. After that, the track was taken down. The land was then used for big shipping containers. This is still how the area is used today. Many fans at the time thought the noise complaints were just an excuse. They believed it was a political move to close the track. This kind of thing has happened to other race tracks too.
Lions Drag Strip in Movies and TV
Lions Drag Strip was so famous that it appeared in popular culture.
- The TV show The Munsters filmed an episode called "Hot Rod Herman" there. This episode aired on May 27, 1965.
- Larry Huffman was a well-known announcer at the track. His exciting style was even copied by comedians.
- The TV series MadMen mentioned Lions Drag Strip. This was in an episode called "The Mountain King."
- In the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt's character, Cliff Booth, wears a Lions Drag Strip t-shirt.
