Should we re-ignite the board track boom?

Atlantic City, Tacoma, and Uniontown Speedways, among tons of others were all board tracks. Back in the late '10s and early '20s, board tracks were the bomb.

But this leads to a question I have: If they attracted thousands every race, what would happen if they were revived?

We could have the Sprint All-Star race on a board track! Just think, some attendances at Tacoma were allegedly higher than the Indy 500!

They better treat the wood before every race though, I wouldn't want a wood splinter up my butt.

I forgot the fatality rate as well

FYI.... according to the "Official" NASCAR biography of Bill France, Sr., Big Bill while living in Washington, DC took the family car for a spin on the Laurel, MD board track. Big Bill was racing Big cars out of DC before moving to Florida.

"As a teenager growing up around Washington, D.C., France was captivated by racing. He would often play hooky to catch the races at the high-banked board track in Laurel, Md. He even managed to get the family car on the track for a few laps. The hardest thing for him to do was to keep a straight face when he went down to the tire dealer to complain about the tires wearing out on his Model T."

Laurel, MD board track circa 1920s - Library of Congress photo

I wonder if Micro Sprints or Legend cars could race on a board track today.

Neat article from February 1968 Motor TrendI found tonight about history of board tracks in 1920s-30s.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-bin/pub9990430062238.cgi?itemid=9990483189683&action=viewad&categoryid=9990438706654&page=1&placeonpage=11&totaldisplayed=50

That's a really worthwhile article, Chase, especially the chart of board tracks:

Alas, I could have done without the Jade East After Shave / Cologne ad in the story. I still remember the Christmas in the late 60s when I got a bottle of that foul smelling stuff. Can't remember which came first... Jade East or the equally obnoxious Broadway Joe Namath promoted Hai Karate .

Hai Karate?? Hai, hai. No thanks. But I think I'd be willing to slap on some Aqua Velva if they ever choose to become a sponsor on the Petty Blue 43.

I wonder if Micro Sprints or Legend cars would handle well on a board track.

This will bump the thread up for Billy Biscoe and his search for board track car parts:

Being as yall looking at a splinter track here is one for yall.

View of Fulford-Miami Speedway from the crowd

This 1-1/4 mile board track was designed by Ray Harround and built for developer Carl Fisher in 1925. The AAA sanctioned race with a $30,000 purse was run before 20,000 people on February 22, 1926. It was the world's fastest wooden track due to the 50 degree banked turns.

Photo from Florida State Archives

Looking over Fulford Speedway from the spectator stands.

This was the only day races were held before the track was destroyed by a hurricane on September 17, 1926.

After the hurricane of 1926

Photo from Florida State Archives

Remains of stands and track

Remains of stands and track after 1926 hurricane, viewed toward turns #3 and #4. Remaining part of #3 stands.

Barney Oldfield, official starter at the Fulford-Miami Speedway.

He only started the one race on February 22, 1926 as the auto speedway was destroyed by a hurricane on September 17, 1926.

Now are you really sure you want to build another Board track?

From what I can find,and there probably is a lot more about the track,the wood from the track was used to rebuild the city of Miami after the Hurricane .

You are using a word very loosely there, could they race on a board track? yes but very slowely. Small tires would find all the splinters and narrow openings and then you would have a time out to replace that 2X4 over in turn 4 that Eric just snagged with his pants cuff while broad sliding.

I think the name of the track was Fulford by the Sea in Miami Fla. I had posted something about this track a few years ago on Racers Reunion but have forgot what I wrote.

Johnny, the track is listed in the chart I posted on the other page from TMC-Chase's article link as Miami (Fulford-by-the-Sea) Fla. at 1 1/4-miles opening in 1926 with a Jack Prince design.

WOODEN LUMBER TRACK + RUBBER TIRE MARBLES + RACING FUELS SPILLAGE + RAIN + FIRE FROM BLOWN ENGINES AND RACECAR WRECKS = DISASTER!
IT WOULD'VE BEEN A BAD SCENE, IF MONTOYA'S JET DRYING TRUCK FIRE ACCIDENT WAS ON AN WOODEN TRACK.
BOXES OF TIDE WOULDN'T HELPED IT!!

Thanks for any information or photos posted.
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va. USA

http://instantrimshot.com

Heavens no, they had one in Savannah GA