Birmingham International Raceway: Difference between revisions
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The original one-mile clay oval was built as a horse track. On [[October 7]], [[1906]] the track hosted its first motorcycle race, followed by an automobile race three days later. These events continued regularly through [[1917]]. German Grand Prix driver Emile Strickler died after being thrown from his Renault during his and Louis Strang's joint attempt to break a 24-hour speed record on [[November 17]], [[1908]]. | The original one-mile clay oval was built as a horse track. On [[October 7]], [[1906]] the track hosted its first motorcycle race, followed by an automobile race three days later. These events continued regularly through [[1917]]. German Grand Prix driver Emile Strickler died after being thrown from his Renault during his and Louis Strang's joint attempt to break a 24-hour speed record on [[November 17]], [[1908]]. | ||
A 10,000-seat grandstand was built in [[1925]]. | A 10,000-seat grandstand was built in [[1925]]. The new facility attracted the International Motor Contest Association 10-mile national championship event away from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | ||
In [[1932]] the oval was reduced to a half-mile circuit. The smaller configuration was used until [[July 4]], [[1942]], when it closed for [[World War II]]. | In [[1932]] the oval was reduced to a half-mile circuit. The smaller configuration was used until [[July 4]], [[1942]], when it closed for [[World War II]]. "World's Fastest Woman" Elfrieda Mais died while performing a stunt involving a wall rigged with dynamite at the track on [[September 27]], [[1934]]. After crashing through the wall she lost control and collided with a road-grader before plowing into an embankment. | ||
After the War, the track was reopened on [[October 1]], [[1946]], and began hosting weekly auto-racing events organized by promoter [[J. P. Rotton]]. | |||
A quarter-mile dirt oval was added in [[1958]] and was the first track to be paved, with the first events held on the new surface on [[July 15]], [[1960]]. After one season of racing on the quarter-mile track the present five-eighths-mile course was constructed with its first race held on [[June 28]], [[1962]]. With new lighting the Sunday afternoon races were moved to Friday nights. | A quarter-mile dirt oval was added in [[1958]] and was the first track to be paved, with the first events held on the new surface on [[July 15]], [[1960]]. After one season of racing on the quarter-mile track the present five-eighths-mile course was constructed with its first race held on [[June 28]], [[1962]]. With new lighting the Sunday afternoon races were moved to Friday nights. | ||
Revision as of 16:19, 10 February 2009
The Birmingham International Raceway, or BIR (formerly Fairgrounds Raceway, Birmingham Super Speedway, Birmingham Super Raceway and Birmingham International Speedway) was a 5/8-mile oval paved racetrack located at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in the Five Points West neighborhood of Birmingham.
History
The original one-mile clay oval was built as a horse track. On October 7, 1906 the track hosted its first motorcycle race, followed by an automobile race three days later. These events continued regularly through 1917. German Grand Prix driver Emile Strickler died after being thrown from his Renault during his and Louis Strang's joint attempt to break a 24-hour speed record on November 17, 1908.
A 10,000-seat grandstand was built in 1925. The new facility attracted the International Motor Contest Association 10-mile national championship event away from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In 1932 the oval was reduced to a half-mile circuit. The smaller configuration was used until July 4, 1942, when it closed for World War II. "World's Fastest Woman" Elfrieda Mais died while performing a stunt involving a wall rigged with dynamite at the track on September 27, 1934. After crashing through the wall she lost control and collided with a road-grader before plowing into an embankment.
After the War, the track was reopened on October 1, 1946, and began hosting weekly auto-racing events organized by promoter J. P. Rotton.
A quarter-mile dirt oval was added in 1958 and was the first track to be paved, with the first events held on the new surface on July 15, 1960. After one season of racing on the quarter-mile track the present five-eighths-mile course was constructed with its first race held on June 28, 1962. With new lighting the Sunday afternoon races were moved to Friday nights.
Between 1958 and 1968 a total of eight NASCAR races were run at the Fairgrounds Raceway. During the same period Bobby Allison had moved to Hueytown from Miami, Florida and convinced his brother Donnie and fellow racer Red Farmer to join him in founding a new race shop. The so-called "Alabama Gang" dominated the races at the Fairgrounds track, but other legends of the sport also recorded wins, including Fireball Roberts, Richard Petty, and Ned Jarrett.
The track was last paved in 1972. The track's final event, A World 200 late-model race held on October 30, 2008, finished with Justin South and Ken McFarland crossing the line with their cars locked together. South was credited with the victory. The track's last manager was Joey Simms.
Proposed move
On June 19, 2008, Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposed a plan to move BIR from the Fairgrounds to city-owned property in northwest Birmingham off of Daniel Payne Drive next to Daniel Payne Industrial Park. Langford said the track, which has been in continuous operation for over 80 years in Five Points West, needs to be upgraded, and does not fit into current plans for the renovation of Fair Park. Langford committed $1 million to the project, but stated that track officials would have to come up with the majority of the funds needed for the project.
On January 30, 2009, demolition of the grandstands began with a presentation by Langford and other city leaders on the plans for the site.
External Links
Birmingham International Raceway website
References
- Birmingham International Raceway. (2005, August 8) NA Motorsports.com. Retrieved 13:20, December 27, 2006
- NASCAR races at Fairgrounds Raceway Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved 13:28, December 27, 2006
- Reynolds, Ed (April 5, 2008) "A Day at the Races." Black & White
- Bryant, Joseph D. (June 20, 2008) "Mayor proposes moving Birmingham International Raceway from Fair Park, providing $1 million to help build new track." Birmingham News
- Demmons, Doug (January 30, 2009) "BIR deserved better than she got". Birmingham News