ADELAIDE (SA)
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1972 - ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL DRAGSTRIP
Adelaide International Raceway was built by Surfers Paradise businessman Keith Williams and was completed in 1972, Williams was already the owner of the South Australian Mallala circuit and the Surfers Paradise International Raceway, The venue opened on the 22nd of January 1972 with the running of the Ampol New Year Series event featuring the Trojan Horse funny car and the Courage of Australia rocket car.
The Drag strip is situated along the 920 metre long front straight, When built it was always Williams aim to host drag racing at the highest level along with the ever popular modified and street car classes.
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1972 - AUSTRALIAN HOT ROD MAGAZINE REPORTED
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1972 - AUSTRALIAN HOT ROD MAGAZINE REPORTED
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1972 - AUSTRALIAN HOT ROD MAGAZINE REPORTED
Published August 1972
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1973 - LARRY ORMSBY "THE BIG O"
1973 - Photo: Larry Ormsby collection.
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1976 - ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL DRAGSTRIP
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook pictorial feature
1976 - Larry Ormsby the big O at AIR. Photo: Perry Routley.
1976 - Ross Melish in his Dragstar at AIR. Photo: Perry Routley.
1976 - Jeff During in his twin V8 engine Dragstar at AIR. Photo: Perry Routley.
1976 - Wilson Brothers bucket running a off the planet 6 pack. Photo: Perry Routley.
1976 - Laurie O'Connell in his Mk1 Cortina, Top Cat. guns it off thr line. Photo: Deb O'Connell.
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1977 - GRAEME COWIN
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1977 - Funny car action at Adelaide. Photo's Stephen Paul Munroe.
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1982 - BOB JANE CORPERATION BUYS A.I.R
In 1982 the Bob Jane corporation purchased the venue and proceded to upgrade the whole complex,
The Adelaide International Dragstrip hosted numerous national drag racing championship through the years under both owners.
The sport of drag racing went into recession in the late 1990's with racing making a return in November of 2011, This saw Top Doorslammers run the 1/8th mile track for the first time in over ten years.
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1984 - GEORGE BAILEY
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
2nd November 1984 - West Australian racer George Baily in the Cleveland powered Capri at Adelaide International Dragstrip. Photographer: Mick OHara.
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1986 - WARLORD
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
22nd February 1986 - Photographer: Mick O'Hara Motorsport Photography.
1986 - GEORGE GLASBY
15th March 1986 - George Glasby in the Z car leaving the line at Adelaide International Dragstrip. Photographer: Mick Ohara.
1986 - JOE POLITO
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
16th October 1986 - Photographer Mick O'Hara Motorsport Photography.
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1987 - KNOCKER RENFREY
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
31st October 1987 - Photographer: Mick O'Hara Motorsport Photography.
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1991 - RAFF PIRONTI
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook photo feature
1991 - Raff Pironti a big burnout in the Torana Hatchback. Photo: Mick O'Hara Photography.
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1993 - JOE POLITO
16th October 1993 - Photographer: Mick O'Hara Motorsport Photography.
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1995 - JOHN HANDLEY
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook photo feature
24th September 1995 - John Handley at Adelaide International Dragstrip. Photo; Mick O'Hara Photography.
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1995 - GRANT HARVEY
Valiant R & S series Vehicles facebook photo feature
18th November 1995 - Grant Harvey at the Adelaide strip in a very wild blown S series Valiant. Photographer: Mick O'Hara.
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2000 - ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL DRAGSTRIP
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabillia facebook Photo feature
12th February 2000 - Photographer: Mick O'Hara.
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2012 - ANDRA Pro Series 1000
On the 13th through to the 15th of April 2012 top line drag racing made its return to the Adelaide International Dragstrip for the first ANDRA meeting at the track for over ten years with the ANDRA Pro Series 1000, which marked the Australian debut of 1.000 foot drag racing.
ANDRA Top fuel continues to run over the traditional 1/4 mile strip.
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2012 - R.I.P KEITH WILLIAMS
In the January-Febuary 2012 edition of Mustle Car Magazine it was reported that Keith Williams, the founder and original owner of the Adelaide International Raceway, had died at the age of 82.