Re: Proving Grounds - Mortgage Burning

Posted by BH On 2012/7/31 8:26:20

IIRC, only about 1/4-mile of the banked concrete oval test track could be saved - and only a straight-away section at that.

As for "testing areas", it's doubtful that any of the outdoor off-track areas were saved. Even an airplane hanger and the timing tower had to be relocated to the remaining parcel.

Indoor engineering labs were housed in a garage building, separate from the lodge, but believe it was also saved. Have heard that quite a bit of original equipment was left intact, there.

Rather lucky that even that much survived so many years after the facility was closed.

If you wanna see the place in action, inside and out, get a copy of the factory promo film, "The Watchdogs" (1954, color) - available on DVD. "The Way Ahead" (1940, B&W) and "The Safe Road Ahead" (1956, color) also show cars in action, there.