Wally Parks, commenting on the '57 NHRA opener at Santa Ana, qualifiedthe location at the Orange County Airport facility in his article "Lifeat the Drags" (HOT ROD, June '57) by saying, "The oldest of all activestrips, Santa Ana has been the scene of weekly events since 1950 and isstill going strong. C. J. Hart, who operates the strip, is wellqualified for his job--he's been an active hot rodder for many years..."
On this particular day in March, not only was HOT ROD in attendance, butLife magazine had also visited Santa Ana as part of a pictorial that wasdescribed as "the drag-racing rage: hot rodders grow in numbers but theroad to respectability is a rough one."
Wally Parks had a different take on the coverage, which had yet to bereleased at the time HOT ROD's appeared: "Strip sponsors and contestantshave enthusiastically welcomed what they consider a prime opportunity togain worldwide recognition for their sport."
So, get your magnifying glass and check out the cars, the racers, thegarb, and the styles. Identify your favorites and let us know detailsyou recognize from the Eric Rickman photograph that so aptly records theday for us to remember.
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