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Thunder Valley Dragways 50 Years
In the spring of 1967, the news traveled of a new dragstrip opening near Marion, SD. However, my first memories of Thunder Valley came about before the first two cars ever raced down that quarter mile. I was at the 1966 State Fair in Huron, SD and Rapp Chevrolet, of Marion, SD had a unique line up of drag cars on display. Also inside a tent was the wildest ’56 Corvette I’d ever seen. It was owned by Glen Rapp and had a straight front axle and a 427 with a cross ram.
Roger Blum, of Aberdeen, SD tried his hot Chevy V8 powered Model A pickup on the roller starter at the fair. He revved it and spun the slicks. He was the D/Gas track champion back then and will have that same turquoise hot rod at Thunder Valley on Saturday, June 11, for the 50th reunion.
From Drag City speed shop, Rapid City, SD came a silver ’65 Ranchero with a souped-up V8. I recall it had a new intake that would take two Quadrajet 4-barrell carbs.
The night before the first race in June, 1967, my friend, David Waldman, and I were very excited about drag racing. We drove the 200 miles down from Aberdeen in the middle of the night. Nobody was there yet, so my friend got the idea to climb over the spectator side gate and walk onto the track at 3:00 A.M. I remember how smooth and clean the new black asphalt was. It looked like no one had driven or raced on it yet. Those sure were the days! Here shown are a few of the cars from those days. Enjoy!
