Post by SNR on 11/24/15 at 12:25pm
Red Clay Report - Ascot Park
Late Model Mark
Pinson, Alabama (November 24, 2015)
Just yesterday, it was the 25th year anniversary of the last race ever at the famous dirt track located in Gardena, California, Ascot Park. Time sure does fly as you get older. It was in my view one of the biggest losses in Southern California along with Lions Drag Strip,Ontario,Irwindale,and Orange County International Raceway. It officially ended dirt track racing in Los Angeles. No need to go thru the history of the track or the reasons for it's demise. I am just going to talk about the things I remember most.
My first visit was in 65, my last on Thanksgiving night in 1990. I will get to that night later. So many memories. Ascot was such a busy place, you could catch shows 3 or 4 nights a week. On Fridays I would frequent the great AMA Flatrack motorcycle races with 3 rippin" divisions. Saturday had the California Racing Association Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Sundays might have Late Models and stock cars, or Midgets and TQ's. Sometimes I went all three nights.
The atmosphere at Ascot was truly second to none. The track surface was ultra special that was helped by the proximity of the ocean as it was located near the beach, it also gave it great air for the engines. All the seats provided great views and the concessions kicked ass. You could get great burgers and dogs or to die for fries, chicken kabobs and burritos. You could get a real program each week with all the info you needed, Tickets were purchased at an old school booth with 2 older guys wearing white shirts with ties. The announcing was top notch and the shows run ultra well, parking was easy as well.
The 70's and 80s were just magic at Ascot, gosh it was good. Myself and the Mrs. had a ritual when we went to Ascot. We would leave our house at 3:00p.m. and head to the track, usually hitting stupid traffic on the 405. We would park on Vermont Street, then head to the slick track for some laps. Near 5:00p.m. we would get in line at the ticket booth, get tickets then get our seats for the nights action. It was too cool. The norm was for me to get 2 grilled Ascot dogs, a fry, and a draft beer.
Fast forward to the last season in 1990, we were on a mission to go as many times as possible, we hit 26 races in 90, mostly C.R.A. shows along with Late Models, Midgets, and the Flatrack bikes. It was a glorious time, all the major league stuff came that year. The year came to a head with the final running of the Don Peabody Classic and Turkey night. Leaving our house that Thansksgiving night was so emotional. What a crowd and atmosphere, we savored every lap, every race. Saved some Ascot dirt that I have to this day. Ted Otto had a great final speech to end the night. We did not leave for a some time as we sat in "our" seats and did not want to leave.We got up, went to a corner by the double deck buss, hugged each other tightly, cried some as we remembered all the great nights we shared together. Walking out for the last time was so sad, we drove home in silence for the last time, then there was none, it was all over. Will always remember where the Sand Diego, Harbor, and 91 Freeways collide. J.C. Agajanians' Ascot Park.
Late Model Mark
Talladega Short Track Announcer