Page 69 - Nitro Madness Magazine Fall 2017

Story by Darrell Conrad • Photos by Pam Conrad
October 9, 1955 was a relatively A couple years prior it was South Central LA. Unfortunately,
quiet, seemingly uneventful day. common to find SoCal hot rod these unorthodox throttle junkies
On the east coast, the Ed Sullivan enthusiasts socializing at their resolved to settle it on the city
Show was about to broadcast its favorite stomping ground or car streets. Long Beach municipal
8th season, episode 8 with a young club. Some members had the judge Fred Miller grew increasingly
comedian guest by the name of spirit of a rebel without a cause distressed with the situation along
Johnny Carson. However, out west and were anxious to demonstrate with local politicians, residents and
things were not as quiet as racing what their Detroit Iron could news media. Being vigilant to find
entrepreneur Mickey Thompson lay down! Though there were a sufficient solution to the issue,
and his all-volunteer staff had just approximately 31 drag strips in they set out to establish a safe
opened the gates to the renowned California at the time, none of them environment in which they could
Lions Drag Strip. were strategically located near race legally.

The “Waterman & Hampshire” slingshot was a favorite at Lions. In January of
1965, Ronnie Hampshire set a world record of 7.51 ET in this Roy Steen and
Frank Huszar “Haze Series” masterpiece.

Fall 2017 Nitro Madness Magazine 69