Santa Pod Raceway
#1
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When I read that a few UK folks had been racing their cars on this dragstrip I was intrigued by the unusual name. I also enjoyed learning about the drag racing interest by Jag owners.
I have learned that the "Pod" part of the name came from the fact that the drag strip was once part of a runway on a WW2 bomber base called RAF Podington. So where did the "Santa" part come from?
Where I live there are lots of "Santa" names. Santa Barbara, Santa Ana and so on. This is because California was once a Spanish possession.
I do recall that England was once invited to become part of that empire, back in 1588, but that did not work out as planned.
So what up with that name?
Tom
I have learned that the "Pod" part of the name came from the fact that the drag strip was once part of a runway on a WW2 bomber base called RAF Podington. So where did the "Santa" part come from?
Where I live there are lots of "Santa" names. Santa Barbara, Santa Ana and so on. This is because California was once a Spanish possession.
I do recall that England was once invited to become part of that empire, back in 1588, but that did not work out as planned.
So what up with that name?
Tom
#3
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Thank you QuartzSTypeR,
In my youth the Los Angeles area had many drag strips. Lions, Saugus, San Fernando, Carlsbad, Oxnard, and of course, Santa Ana which ended up called Orange County Raceway. All gone due to massive population growth. Folks buy new houses next to Drag strips, airports, and dairies....then start complaining about noise and smells. Cars, cows, and airplanes can't vote, so out they go.
Until last month the nearest 1/4 mile strip to Orange County was near Bakersfield, 100 miles from here. Now they have opened one at AAA Fontana Raceway, near San Bernardino. That is only about 35 miles away.
BTW, I read that Santa Pod has the old concrete runway under the asphalt surface. Wonder if that effects speed.
Tnx,
Tom
In my youth the Los Angeles area had many drag strips. Lions, Saugus, San Fernando, Carlsbad, Oxnard, and of course, Santa Ana which ended up called Orange County Raceway. All gone due to massive population growth. Folks buy new houses next to Drag strips, airports, and dairies....then start complaining about noise and smells. Cars, cows, and airplanes can't vote, so out they go.
Until last month the nearest 1/4 mile strip to Orange County was near Bakersfield, 100 miles from here. Now they have opened one at AAA Fontana Raceway, near San Bernardino. That is only about 35 miles away.
BTW, I read that Santa Pod has the old concrete runway under the asphalt surface. Wonder if that effects speed.
Tnx,
Tom
#4
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
When I read that a few UK folks had been racing their cars on this dragstrip I was intrigued by the unusual name. I also enjoyed learning about the drag racing interest by Jag owners.
I have learned that the "Pod" part of the name came from the fact that the drag strip was once part of a runway on a WW2 bomber base called RAF Podington. So where did the "Santa" part come from?
Where I live there are lots of "Santa" names. Santa Barbara, Santa Ana and so on. This is because California was once a Spanish possession.
I do recall that England was once invited to become part of that empire, back in 1588, but that did not work out as planned.
So what up with that name?
Tom
I have learned that the "Pod" part of the name came from the fact that the drag strip was once part of a runway on a WW2 bomber base called RAF Podington. So where did the "Santa" part come from?
Where I live there are lots of "Santa" names. Santa Barbara, Santa Ana and so on. This is because California was once a Spanish possession.
I do recall that England was once invited to become part of that empire, back in 1588, but that did not work out as planned.
So what up with that name?
Tom
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