Post by sYc_Nova on Jun 17, 2014 20:08:39 GMT -5
Did you know Austin once had an NHRA sanctioned track?
It ran from 1965/66 to 1972 officially, but longer due to not so secure gates.
It was out Burnet Road to the East of the intersection of Quick Hill (The Chainsaw Massacre house hill)
which was way out in the country back then. There were also some Aqua Fest road races utilizing the return roads.
This is roughly the layout. Ignore the spot where some dumb-ass yuppie who wasn't even born yet marked it. It's wrong.
The lines roughly show the track and return road. You might still find a little pavement in the fields. We did.
The "tower" began life as an oil derrick, and was eventually setup at a truck stop on Ben White.
Later, it was damaged by storms and moved to the track by the owners of Armstrong Johnson Ford.
It had the announcers booth, snack bar, and viewing deck on the 2nd floor.
It eventually was moved to LJ Ford Truck City in Buda. It was damaged in another storm and removed.
Here is a time card and the car that got it.
This is one of two cars owned by the now misnamed Austin Speed Shop.
August "Hands" Hartkopf drove it. He was an infamous character of the time, along with Butch Lake.
This car is still around today in a resurrected state.
Hands was nicknamed so for his huge hands. He was a very active racer, and traveled the state racing.
"August Hartkopf business card image, Copyright James Wilder. Used with permission by www.motoraustin.com"
Unrelated, here is a cool shot of Bill Winkleys Speed Shop on S. Congress 1960-
It ran from 1965/66 to 1972 officially, but longer due to not so secure gates.
It was out Burnet Road to the East of the intersection of Quick Hill (The Chainsaw Massacre house hill)
which was way out in the country back then. There were also some Aqua Fest road races utilizing the return roads.
This is roughly the layout. Ignore the spot where some dumb-ass yuppie who wasn't even born yet marked it. It's wrong.
The lines roughly show the track and return road. You might still find a little pavement in the fields. We did.
The "tower" began life as an oil derrick, and was eventually setup at a truck stop on Ben White.
Later, it was damaged by storms and moved to the track by the owners of Armstrong Johnson Ford.
It had the announcers booth, snack bar, and viewing deck on the 2nd floor.
It eventually was moved to LJ Ford Truck City in Buda. It was damaged in another storm and removed.
Here is a time card and the car that got it.
This is one of two cars owned by the now misnamed Austin Speed Shop.
August "Hands" Hartkopf drove it. He was an infamous character of the time, along with Butch Lake.
This car is still around today in a resurrected state.
Hands was nicknamed so for his huge hands. He was a very active racer, and traveled the state racing.
"August Hartkopf business card image, Copyright James Wilder. Used with permission by www.motoraustin.com"
Unrelated, here is a cool shot of Bill Winkleys Speed Shop on S. Congress 1960-
