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Post by Jeff Kempton on Nov 23, 2008 10:49:07 GMT -4
I saw this mentioned on the thread announcing Boo King's induction into the Hall Of Fame, but started a new thread to avoid high jacking that one.
It says that Boo first raced at Blissfield Airstrip, in what sounds like the early- to mid-70's. I hadn't heard of racing at that location before. Can anyone tell me if these were organized drag races, or just guys finding an unguarded piece of asphalt to take advantage of? As times are mentioned it sounds like an organized event.
I believe I recall that Blissfield is/was one of the small strips used by Forestry Protection Services in New Brunswick over the years, but I could be wrong. If so I'm guessing it was originally a wartime training base.
I'm just wondering if Blissfield should be included as one of the official dragstrips that existed over the years in Atlantic Canada. If anyone can offer more info on location, years in operation, as well as any other details, it would be appreciated!
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Post by xcrewchief on Nov 23, 2008 13:06:21 GMT -4
hey jeff
just happened to come across an old message board of an import club in fredericton and as recently as 2004 they had rented blissfield airstrip from the military totry their cars.you go thru geary past the speedway and then into hoyt and turn off airport road.apparently it is still being used at times.dont ask me how to paste the site i was on(im still pretty computer illiterate!!!!) but i found it by googling blissfield airstrip,new brunswick. hope this might help.
paul fahie
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Post by crazyhorse on Nov 23, 2008 15:16:54 GMT -4
Last time i was there i drove in to check it out and the air stip(drag strip) was blocked off at the end of airport Rd. That would have been between 95' and97'. I remember beeing there as a kid in the late 70's maybe with my dad. It wasn't a sactioned race by any means or for that matter even legal, as we were run out of their buy the police. He didn't get a chance to run his car that day but i'm sure it wasn't his first time there... ;D
I'll look, i may have some old pictures from there, glad i had the pleasure of seeing some cars run there, one of those places i'll never forget!
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Post by Jeff Kempton on Nov 24, 2008 9:38:18 GMT -4
Thanks, guys. I'll Google it later, and I also look forward to seeing those pictures if you locate them!
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Post by stk1201 on Nov 24, 2008 22:33:40 GMT -4
Jeff I believe the track was run by Frank Jardine who with his family runs Jardine Auctioneers Inc today.
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Post by Jeff Kempton on Nov 26, 2008 11:50:03 GMT -4
Thanks for the lead, Gerry. I just got off the phone with Frank Jardine, who filled me in on the story of drag racing at Blissfield Airstrip.
Blissfield is located within the boundaries of the large military base at Gagetown, NB, but was seldom used both then and now, other than as a temporary base for forest fighting and aerial spraying. Occasionally local car enthusiasts would get in and make passes down the runway until the military arrived to chase them off. In 1973 Frank Jardine received permission to hold organized drag races there, on the understanding that they would attract only a small number of local racers. When 3000 people showed up, as well as cars from throughout the Maritimes and New England, it certainly caught everyone's attention! The mess of garbage left behind nearly caused the military to pull the plug, but in the end one more race was allowed to be held that year. Unfortunately, those two races were it, and NB racers were back to running at Pennfield when the weather allowed. Luckily the tracks in Oyster Bed Bridge, PEI, and Middle Sackville, NS were in full operation at the time, so all was not lost.
It sounds like the Blissfield races were run very professionally for their time, with a Chrondek timing system provided by Tom Johnson and Tech handled by Ken Reynolds from Ontario (formerly a Chrysler drag team member). Announcing was done by the team of Bob Wheaton and John Irvin, perched in a makeshift tower that looked more like a hunter's stand but got the job done.
It sounds like an interesting footnote in the rich history of drag racing in the Maritimes. Thanks to Frank for sharing his stories with us.
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Post by stk1201 on Nov 26, 2008 22:36:31 GMT -4
Jeff did Frank tell you about his Canadian NHRA record holding 1968 Hurst/442 Olds, if he didn't you only got half the story..LOL
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Post by Jeff Kempton on Nov 27, 2008 13:02:48 GMT -4
Frank mentioned his 442 briefly, but didn't say that he achieved that level of success with it.......sounds like I'll have to plan on having another chat with him in the future! LOL
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Post by Dale Stewart on Mar 12, 2012 16:10:06 GMT -4
Jeff did Frank tell you about his Canadian NHRA record holding 1968 Hurst/442 Olds, if he didn't you only got half the story..LOL Does anyone know what times the Olds turned? |
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