Nostalgia Drag Racing at Paradise Drag Strip

There's something to be said for a historic race track, be it a dirt track, a paved track or a drag strip. Knowing that gear heads just like you were racing on that very surface 50 years ago is an eye opening experience that will put a smile on any car guy's face. With this in mind, folks around the country are flocking to nostalgia drag racing events at historic tracks. One such event and track, is the Paradise Show-N-Go, held at Paradise Drag Strip in Calhoun, Georgia. [caption id="attachment_1395" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Paradise Drag Strip is known for its uphill burnout box and slightly unlevel starting line, which causes cars with manual transmissions to roll backward at the line. Even with this flaw, it was a state-of-the-art track during the \'60s."][/caption] The track opened in 1961, and it was home to lots of big-name match races and also a home track to many Super Stock racers in the mid-60s. Legends of drag racing, such as "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick and "Dyno Don" Nicholson have raced at Paradise Drag Strip, drawing huge crowds to watch the exciting action. Back then, every driver had a nickname, and every car had a distinct personality, unlike today's professional ranks in NHRA, where each car in its class is identical, aside from a few sponsor decals. [caption id="attachment_1396" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="This Kellison funny car features a pair of our Phoenix Race Tires, and has plenty of personality with its well-worn paint job."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1397" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Here\'s a shot of the Kellison with its body raised--so cool!!!"][/caption] Otto Timms thoroughly enjoyed his time at the helm of Paradise Drag Strip, and included his family in all of the activities at the track. We've always heard that family is the cheapest labor around, and he believed in hiring his offspring to help run the place. Unfortunately, Otto passed away a few months ago, leaving his drag strip to his family. It was a sad time for the entire Timms family and all of the friends Otto had made through the years, but his suffering is over, and his legacy lives on. Paradise Drag Strip continues to run, and has multiple nostalgia drag shows a year, along with a regular bracket racing program. [caption id="attachment_1398" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Cars of this nature were a common sight at Paradise Drag Strip in the mid-60s, so folks love to relive the glory days at the Show-N-Go. "][/caption] We dropped by at the Spring "Show-N-Go" this past Saturday and snapped a few photos of the action. You can always count on a diverse mix of cars, from vintage front engine dragster to funny cars and altereds. The event also allows cars from the show area to make passes--hence the name Show-N-Go! Anyway, check out some of the pictures, and be sure to attend one of these nostalgia events when you get the chance. [caption id="attachment_1399" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="We love old shop trucks and saw this '60s Dodge in the parking area, as we went up \"the hill\", where the drag strip is located."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1400" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="This little Deuce coupe surprised everyone with a huge wheelstand! "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1401" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Unfortunately, it came down hard and broke a few parts...you can see all four wheels off the ground at this point!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1402" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Now this thing is wicked! It doesn\'t have Coker Tires on it, but we\'ll let him slide! Anything with 2,000hp is fine with us!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1403" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="We liked this Model A sedan with its gray-center five-spoke wheels and BFG Silvertown whitewall radials! "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1404" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="What could be better than a nose-high Henry J pulling the wheels at the drag strip? To make it even better it has a set of M&H slicks...available from Coker Tire!!!"][/caption]