WASHINGTON [USA]
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1950's - DEER PARK DRAGSTRIP.
Deer Park Dragstrip opened in the early 1950's. The strip was a disused airstrip that was just perfect for the job.
The Dragstrip closed down in the early 1970's when the new Spokane Raceway Park venue opened. Since its closure the old Deer Park venue has been returned to an airport.
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1950's - DEER PARK DRAGSTRIP. [Opening Meeting]
Deer Park Drag Strip Memories facebook pictorial feature
1950's early - These images have been reported as being from Deer Parks first meeting. Photographer: unknown. Photo's: Robin Tibbetts collection.
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1959 - DEER PARK AIRPORT.During 1959 the conflict between the United States and Russia was on the increase and the US Government was searching for sites for the installation of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and the Deer Park site was selected. The millitary wanted to place them right in the centre of the runways.
The city council not wanting this, as the airport that was only 2.7 ks from the town centre would be badly affected or closed, offered other land to the North East of town, This offer was accepted and the new
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missiles were homed their until 1965 when the Atlas missiles were replaced with the Titan 11 and the Minuteman Missile systems.
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Greg Fury recalls: Deer Park the World War 2 Airfield was located about fourteen kilometres North of Spokane. Washington. It was built as a training field only, very wide and over a mile in length, with very little facilities. It was manned by just a few mechanics with a basic supply of oils and spark plugs. During training the B17's based in East Oregon would leave their base in the morning and fly a practice mission to Deer Park or one of the other strip built just like it in the North West. Land, fill up with sandbags to simulate a full bomb load and practice take off's and landing's.
These Airstrips were all new and onsold to Local Towns or organisations after the war. Drag Racing clubs sprung up everyware, many of which ended up at these air strips. As most of these sites had three runways as well as there taxi ways, the racing could be shifted around, depending on wind direction on the day.
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1995 - DEER PARK DRAGSTRIP. Location.
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2024 - DEER PARK DRAGSTRIP. Location.
