With NASCAR coming back to "The Rock" next month thought I would share a little track history found in newspaper archives that Jack Walker sent me.
This one is from May 8,1963 Richmond County Journal.
Next one from June 25,1964 Anson Record
THE TRACK, which has not been named as yet, is owned by Bill Land of Hamlet and Harold Brasington of Darlington,S.C. Brasington was one of the builders of the now famous Darlington International Speedway. He had also constructed tracks at Fayetteville and Greensboro.
Brasington said the mile track will have NASCAR sanction when completed. The oval has as much as 30 per cent elevation in places and is expected to be fast as far as speeds are concerned for mile tracks and be in the same class as the approximately $250,000 with the price tag expected to increase as construction progresses prior to the running of the first race.
Brasington doesn't feel the large financial investment is a great risk and points out the success of the Darlington Speedway, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona and Atlanta Raceways as proof. The only failure in recent years was the Raleigh Speedway which had several drawbacks that will not be involved here.
AS FOR THE surrounding business community the South Carolina racing man is very optimistic of up to three quarters of a million dollars being pumped into the areas economy each year. "This will be like a shot of Penicillin for the community." he added. With time trials and getting a car ready it brings in such as tire specialist, as well as other accessories people making a race period run from a week to ten days. This calls for lodging, food, entertainment and etc. for the crews and others. "People don't realize the great amount of preparation that goes into a one day affair such as a race." he said.
Building the track in Richmond County was just a chance happening according to Brasington who said that he was just looking for a site to build a new track. " I looked throughout Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina for a location and was inspecting a site on Route 177 when Bill Land called and said he had the right location. I agreed with him and we started." he said.
Brasington, who has seen tracks all over the country feels this is the best location he has ever seen. There will be no problem of dispersing traffic following a race and the track is easy accesable from all points. The large area of ample parking space with the land area covering 150 acres with more available if needed.
IF THE SPEEDWAY is to be ready for the first 500 mile race next year much depends on Superintendent of Construction Louis Piana. A great deal must be done between now and then bur Brasington expressed extreme confidence in his right hand man. "He is the best concrete man I have run into and an important man with us. We are fortunate to have him." says the owner. If everything goes as anticipated we should have some kind of race in the fall. "Once we get underway we still have the 500 mile race as well as several others along with occasional motor cycle races" is the word from the track officials.
The Darlington man also feels that he is very fortunate to be associated with Bill Land in the venture as his contacts and business connections will be very valuable to the success of the track. As the track benefits so will Richmond County in like proportions.
The owners said they were delighted with the enthusiasm of the people over the track and were glad to be able to keep them informed of the progress being made. "They may think we are moving slowly, but we have really made progress. It usually takes about two years to build a plant of this size". is the word from the man who should know, Harold Brasington.
updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM
