It all began on October 9^th 1955 a day I will always remember that being the opening day of the first sanctioned drag strip in Long Beach and my introduction to something which I fell instantly into love with, (i.e., races from a starting start and covering the distant of 1320 feet) this “need for speed.” Today nearly 56-years later I still have the same enthusiasm as I did that very first day when I was just 11 years of age. This drag strip was the “brain child” of a Long Beach police officer who had envisioned a place for those who chose to “go fast,” but in a much safer venue than the city streets. With the help of local speedster, the now late, Mickey Thompson and the Long Beach City’ Lions Association this concept came to fruition on that chilly and overcast October day. The excerpt read was taken from Chapter 17: LADS (Lions Associated Drag Strip) of the book.

Degar