Northern California's Redding Dragstrip Gets Facelift

National Dragster, Jul 4, 2003

The racing surface and shutdown area of Redding Dragstrip, the second-longest continuously operating NHRA track in the United States, will be laser-cut and resurfaced following unanimous approval May 21 by the Redding City Council of a loan that one councilmember described as a "no-brainer." The council's decision brought cheers from attending members of the Northern California Drag Racing Association, which operates the dragstrip. This not-for-profit corporation made up of local drag racers began operating the strip in 1996 and leases the abandoned World War II taxiway from Redding Airport.

The improvements are scheduled to be completed in time for the track's inaugural Fourth of July weekend celebration that will include a West Coast Top Sportsman Association series race on July 5. The 16-car full-bodied field features a minimum dial of 7.95, though many competitors run in the high sixes. Also, racers in the newly formed Pro Mod Association, sponsored by Big O Tires, will join in the celebration along with jet Funny Cars and a large field of racers from the track's Street Legal Drags program.

The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday, July 4, and will continue at noon on July 5. Saturday's program will include a Summit Racing Series makeup race from the rained-out April 13 Big Bucks bracket event.

Redding Dragstrip also boasts active Jr. Dragster and High School racing programs and a range of E.T. bracket racing classes. The track's operators welcome all out-of-town racing associations to contact them about hosting an event. More information is available at the track's website, www.reddingdragstrip.net.