Santa Ana Drags facts for kids
The Santa Ana Drags was a very important place in the history of drag racing in the United States. It was the first official drag strip ever! This special racing track was created by C.J. "Pappy" Hart, Creighton Hunter, and Frank Stillwell. It was located on an extra runway at the Orange County Airport in southern California. The Santa Ana Drags was open for exciting races from June 19, 1950, until June 21, 1959.
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The Start of Drag Racing History
Many famous people in drag racing started their careers at the Santa Ana Drags. Racers like Art Chrisman, Don Yates, Calvin Rice, Joaquin Arnett, and George "Ollie" Morris often competed there. They helped make drag racing popular.
How the Drag Strip Was Set Up
It cost about $1,000 to get the Santa Ana Drags started. People who came to watch or race paid 50 cents to get in. A small part of that money went to the airport owner. The track had special timing clocks. These clocks let racers know exactly how fast they went, which was a big deal!
The Santa Ana Drags also had areas for racers to prepare their cars, called a pit area. There were also restrooms, a place to buy snacks at a concession stand, and simple grandstands where fans could sit and watch. There was also lots of space for parking cars.
Why the Santa Ana Drags Closed
The Santa Ana Drags closed in 1959. This happened because of disagreements among the people who ran the track.
Remembering the Santa Ana Drags
Even though the Santa Ana Drags closed many years ago, people still remember its important place in racing history.
Santa Ana Drag Strip Reunions
Today, people who love the Santa Ana Drags hold special get-togethers called "reunions." These events happen twice a year, usually in April and October. They are held at Santiago Creek Park in Santa Ana, California. For example, one reunion took place on April 14, 2012. Leslie Long now organizes these fun events, continuing the tradition started by Bill and Marie Jenks.
