My name is Rick David, my grandfather was WH David.  He opened and ran drag strips at Pel State, Hammond, Lake Charles, Houma, Estherwood and State Capitol through out the '50s and '60s.  I am collecting pictures, videos and memorabilia from the Louisiana tracks from the '50s and '60s.  I plan on setting up a website dedicated to the history of drag racing in Louisiana and would like to start a museum some time in the future.  I already have the original christmas tree, the 1950s NHRA banner from Pel State, pit passes, pictures, videos, 8mm videos, newspaper articles, etc.  All items donated are guaranteed to be preserved indefinitely

My grandmother, Jayne David, was the writer and editor Tire Marks published in the '50s and '60s.  I am collecting all issues and will have a link to them on the website.

In the early '80s there was a Louisiana drag racing hall of fame located at a track in Eunice, LA.  The track is now closed.  I am trying to get any information on the plaques and memorabilia removed at closing.  

Also, I am trying to locate the announcers stand (blue panel truck) from Pel State.  It was restored in the '80s by a Louisiana racing club, picture attached.  I have been told in may in North Louisiana.  If you have any information, please let me know.

Any pictures or video that have already been scanned can be emailed directly to me.  Any other memorabilia can be mailed to the address below.  Please label anything sent with dates, locations, names, etc. if possible.  Credit for any donations will be recorded and noted.

Thanks,
Rick David
rdavid88@cox.net
225-413-2191  

9514 Cabernet Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA  70817

Hi Rick, my name is Max Williamson.  I was very active in Louisiana Drag Racing from about 1955 though 1962.  There were no purpose built drag strips at the time so all of the racing was done on airfields.  Places such as Hammond, Houma, Lake Charles, Opelusas, Alexandria, and Mansfield.  There may be a couple more but that's all I can think of at the moment.  I remember your Grandmother and Grandfather very well, they were among my favorite people.  In fact did you catch their picture in a recent Hot Rod magizine.  In fact I'm not totally positive but I think one of the fellows standing next to the "tower" is me.  The real skinny one.

I left the state in Feb 63 to join the Air Force and did not return until Jan 2000.  I'm happy to see that there is some effort to find and retain some of the early Louisiana Racing history.  My family was not big into pictures so I don't have a trove hidden away.  However I do have a bunch of the early Tire Marks stored away with my magazine collection.  Soon I will dig them out and make scans available to whoever needs them.  I also have some of the NHRA early "Tie Rods" which was the early precusor to the National Dragster.  

I'm anxious to review old names many of which I have forgotten.  "Q Ball" Wales was one of my favorites driving the baddest dragster in Louisiana at the time.  Knott Farrington was another who was known for his drag racing in Louisiana but also known for his Bonneville records in his blown streamlined 55 T-Bird.  Friends like Bud Bailey, Jerry & Harry Chaudior and many others.

An interesting note.  When I left Louisiana I lost track of most of the racers of the time.  I did know that Wales and Candies went together and built a new dragster but then I lost track of "Q Ball" and Candies joined up with Hughes for the Hughes and Candies funny car.  Well in doing some research a few weeks ago I found out that "Q Ball" was killed in a racing accident at the then new Monroe Twin City Dragway.  Apparently his chute didn't open and on that short track he ran off the end and was killed.

Anyway that's enough for now, I will keep watching this site for more info.

Max Williamson
mmaxdw@aol.com