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dino.dino……Heres some of the Stuff we do (sometimes you may not be aware of) …This is is for Danbury paper and is written as such. It has been already approved for publication. I’ll find out when and post. ( If you Get interested Newspapers in YOUR area…we can custom compose and submit articles & photos.)…. same goes for websites and magazines…let me know!
Dover Drag Strip Revival Continues
By Brian Marasco, Track Historian
A long, long time ago, in a not so distant location, Sundays for many in the Danbury area, meant pack up, and Head to Wingdale, N.Y. Opening in May of 1961 until it closed in 1976; Dover Drag Strip was THE place to race or watch, quarter mile Drag Racing. Racers would push the limit of their cars at the one of the northeast’s most legendary Drag Strips. The Track was operated by Danbury Gas Station owner Chet Anderson and his partner, Joe Archiere, of Germantown. Lately there’s been quite a revival of interest in this now defunct track. Thanks to the ongoing Dover Drag Strip reunion run every year at Marcus Dairy. That Event and the Sat Night Cruise at Marcus are put on by Mark Mastrianni and James Grove .Mastrianni, a lifelong resident of Danbury, was the track’s first Manager. Grove of New Fairfield has the distinction of being the first paid customer, opening day. Fueling the interest is a Tribute website, put online, by former announcer Track announcer, Dino Lawrence. Dino is remembered by many, as the operator of the Original Sycamore Cruise Nights from 1982 -1988, in Bethel. The Reunion is celebrating its 19th consecutive year this Sept. 6th .That makes it the longest running reunion of its kind in the nation. Dino’s http://www.doverdragstrip.com , has already logged over 28000 hits since last July, with 450 ‘Dover Guys’ registered on its active forum. The website serves as “Dover Central” for anything pertaining to the old track. There’s so much interest in fact, that there will be an actual Dover RACE, for the first time in 33 years. Over 40 Dover racing veterans are already committed to enter the 1st Annual Dover Drag Strip Nostalgia Drags, this Oct 18, at Island Dragway, in New Jersey. Many with their original Race car .Others are restoring their old cars, just for the event.
To ask former racers why Dover means so much, and they tell you that participating at Dover was unlike any other track. They frequently use the word family to describe their experiences .It was about car clubs working on a project car all week, and then entering it on Sunday. It was where you could find you’re racing buddies and hang out in the pits; much like tailgating is now at major sporting events. Building a race car back in that era was mostly a homebuilt project. Tracks like Dover were instrumental in providing safe, organized racing to replace dangerous hot rod contests on the street. A day at the track was anticipated all week long, and was a full day at that. Frequently the operators would book in Drag Racing stars of the era. Dover was host to exhibition runs by the Legendary Don ‘Big Daddy” Garlits, California’s “T.V Tommy Ivo”, the original Batmobile and even incredible Jet Cars. Funny Car match races by every major player throughout the sixties and early seventies, served up a steady diet to feed spectators and racer’s appetite for speed. Average car entries of over 400 were common with upwards of 4000 spectators on special events.
Still to this day, Dover racers are active with their original car or running a current style. Second generation racers are quite common. Danbury’s Paul Galvin is a perfect example. Paul raced back then, and has built a rail type dragster for his daughter Caroline to drive. Keeping with a nostalgia theme, the 409 cubic inch Chevy engine, circa 1962, is in the front, the way it was back then. Go to any regional Drag Strip now and Fairfield County is well represented. Many of them, claiming their roots, and initiation to the sport, to Dover Drag Strip.
The fields in Wingdale, where the track once stood, are overgrown now. About the only thing left of the old track is a section of pavement that once served as the shut down area .But when it comes to memories, the Dover veterans, have plenty…..Good Times, Good Times.
…………………………Brian & Me “on The Case “
dinoEditor just asked IF anybody in the Danbury (Paper circulation ) Area IS “getting a car ready for Nostalgia Drags”….think we may have a Photo op here ….sounds like they would come out for interview with camera…. WHO wants to get “contacted” —–Reply Here !
