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Street racing speeds through Pomona Fairplex

This ‘71 Chevy El Camino was not the only hot rod that spooled smoke from the rear tires in preparation to venture down the eighth mile track at the Street Legal drag races held at the Fairplex on Saturday, Oct. 22. / photo by Brian Murphy
This ‘71 Chevy El Camino was not the only hot rod that spooled smoke from the rear tires in preparation to venture down the eighth mile track at the Street Legal drag races held at the Fairplex on Saturday, Oct. 22. / photo by Brian Murphy

by Bridget M. Rohrer
Staff Writer

“Operation Street Legal” is a program that has recently been started by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to get those who are illegally racing off city streets.

The program started at Pomona Raceway on Aug. 6, with a number of NHRA staff and La Verne Police Department staff volunteering their time to put on the event. The event hosted over 1,000 racers and just under 3,000 spectators. The most recent event, Oct. 22, saw nearly 500 cars and a group of enthusiastic fans.

“Operation Street Legal was established to provide an alternative for people who like to race,” said Mike Lewis, NHRA vice president of field administration. “With this program and Pomona Raceway right here, people have the opportunity to race in a safe environment.”

The day was open to all who payed the $10 entrance fee, had a driver’s license, a street legal car, van, truck or motorcycle that passed NHRA’s technical inspection, and the need for speed. Anyone could spectate for just $10 and sit anywhere in the grandstands. The revenue collected from these events is being put into a fund, established by NHRA, to make Operation Street Legal a program at a number of tracks across the country. It is based upon the same concept drag racing was originally based upon, to be a safe way to demonstrate speed.

Different from NHRA-sanctioned events that race the quarter mile, Operation Street Legal operates on an eighth mile drag strip. Those who entered Operation Street Legal could race as many times as they were called to the staging lanes. According to many participants, it’s an event that is thoroughly enjoyed as well as a good learning experience. Teams from local high schools could enter their cars from auto shop and take what they learned back to the classroom and share it with the other students.

According to Lewis and La Verne Police Chief Ron Ingels, the program appears to be effective in getting people off of the city streets and onto the local drag strips. In 1951, NHRA and the Pomona Lion’s Club looked to do the same thing.

Depending upon the Fairplex’s events set for next year, Operation Street Legal looks to have anywhere from eight to 12 events at Pomona Raceway.

“Operation Street Legal is overwhelming,” said Chief Ingels. “There has been a resurgence of illegal street racing within the surrounding areas and we’re looking to provide a safe alternative for those that feel they need to demonstrate their cars’ speeds.”

Bridget M. Rohrer
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Brian Murphy
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