My time in Ohio

[Shake & Bake]

Remember when the staging lanes (2) were in front of the grandstands?

[Jeff Niceswanger]

Originally Posted by Shake & Bake

Remember when the staging lanes (2) were in front of the grandstands?

Sure. It was called "Hot Car Staging". On the Night of Fires on July 4th weekends we would sit down on the blacktop with our racecar's tires being a backstop for our backs and watch the jet cars not 100 feet in front of us. What a rush. On the once a month Wednesday night "Super Gas Nights' the SG cars ran out of those two lanes and were showcased. On the regular Bracket racing weekends Super Pro ran out of those two lanes.

[Ernie Neal]

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

Anyone remember all the tech being done at the now defunct Eastland Mall instead of at the track before the Springnationals?

Jeff, I remember those days. I also remember the springs being a full field of 128, had to qualify to get in.
I always thought it was good teching at those malls, in that it possibly encouraged locals to come out to the track. The downside, more miles and time for participants.

Ernie
SS 354

[Jeff Niceswanger]

Originally Posted by Ernie Neal

Jeff, I remember those days. I also remember the springs being a full field of 128, had to qualify to get in.
I always thought it was good teching at those malls, in that it possibly encouraged locals to come out to the track. The downside, more miles and time for participants.

Ernie
SS 354

Laying back behind the facility is what is left of the old pedestrian bridge that went across the middle of the staging lanes. Across the entire length of the bridge spelled .......
ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE. I can remember saying a few swear words towards Rader as I drove underneath. Awww F* You Rader comes to mind. LOL LOL
(It's now spelled under the short tunnel at the ready line... )

[Andy Friar]

Justin, cool that you took the time to visit the Col on your trip back east. I have watched the same Diamond P vids over the years.

First time my Dad raced a Nat event in his SC Dragster was at Columbus. in the mid/early 90's. Me, him and his best friend Bill Gerald went down from Michigan. What a weekend. Mechanical throttle stop equipped and still set it at #1 on the qual sheet w/ a 8.900 & .000 rt. The pride we all felt when we we got announced as the #1 qual as he was sitting to make his R1 bye, was amazing. Went 5 rds and put a 2 div champs and a nat champ on the trailer that day. Also remember how funny it was we had to mow out pit spot like everyone else out in the back 40...

[JLensch]

Thank you for sharing! I too remember watching VHS tapes of Diamond P NHRA races and being so hype when I actually got to visit a track that I only got to see on TV. My favorite was going to Atlanta the first time and remembering the Bob Glidden crash from the 80’s and it being on “And they walked away” Still mind blowing all those years later!

[Craig Dawson]

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

Anyone remember all the tech being done at the now defunct Eastland Mall instead of at the track before the Springnationals?

I do remember that...worked there with a buddy of mine in 1978 greeting the racers and showing them which lane to get in for their class. Joe Dill asked me if I would work the tech lines a couple of weeks earlier when I went to Bowling Green for the Sports Nationals. Joe was working the scales that day. Met many racers but the one I have a vivid memory of was Judy Lily!

[4284spd]

I was in Norwalk last June and went down to Trails for a TnT. Pretty cool place!
DSC_0234 by Bob Smith, on Flickr

[JGarey]

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

Anyone remember all the tech being done at the now defunct Eastland Mall instead of at the track before the Springnationals?

I stumbled onto an old thread, i thought id drop a line or two....
I grew up in Newark, although i didn't start racing until i moved to Texas, i remember tech at the mall, it was like the coolest car show ever for the locals and there was definitely excitement in the air. The bridge over the staging lanes and the old school tower were always cool.
I was entered for the springationals in the early 90's but my car was sickly and barely under the index so I decided not to tow 1200 miles to get beat up....its the one race I truly regret missing.