By special request, today's photo is from the opening of the Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) in Aug. 1967. This drag racing "super track" was located in Irvine, between the I-5 Freeway and MCAS El Toro. The OCIR closed to make way for more development on Oct. 30, 1983..
Phil Brigandi will hold a signing for his latest book, Images of America: Orange, on Dec. 12, 6-8pm at the Barnes & Noble, 791 S. Main St., in Orange. Phil writes, "This is my ninth book on the history of Orange, and features more that 200 pre-1950 images of the community and its residents."
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Heritage Hill Historical Park in El Toro has a number of public holiday events on tap next month. First they'll host a Victorian Christmas , Dec. 6, 11am-3pm, which will include live entertainment, children’s crafts, living history demonstrations, historical exhibits, Santa Claus, and tours through decorated historic buildings. This will be followed by Candlelight Tours, on Dec. 13 & 14, 5:30-8:30pm. These evening events will include luminaria lit paths, historic buildings aglow with holiday lights and decorated with period décor. Also expect Victorian carolers, storytellers, and visits with Santa. Admission is $4.
Coincidentally, Phil Burgess at the NHRA has been doing stories on "ghost drag strips." He prominently features OCIR at:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nhra.com/insidedragster.asp?Page=2&Display=5
If the link does not work, go to NHRA.com and click on The Dragster Insider (left side of screen). The series has been running a while, so you may have to scroll back a few pages. It's good stuff though - brought back a flood of memories of going to OCIR and Santa Ana and Lions (in Long Beach) as a kid.
Chris, I'm sure he'd appreciate you sending him your link too.