New section dedicated to history of Hanford race track

Mario Andretti driving a Ford at the USAC Champ Car race at Hanford Motor Speedway in 1967.Today I launched a new section that's dedicated to Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway.

As I noted in a previous blog post and a story tracing the history of the track, Marchbanks remains a mystery to many race fans and Central Californians despite being one of the first big oval tracks on the West Coast and host to some of the greatest names and cars in the history of racing.

This is an unfinished history, and I welcome ideas, feedback, critiques, etc., in updating and expanding the story. I'm particularly interested in filling some of the gaps in the mid-to-late 1950s and any ownership change(s) in the early 1960s. I'll also be adding more to the topic as time permits, either through more research or interviews with the people who worked, crewed and raced there.

(In the future, you can find the section in the pulldown menu under the "Research/Books" link at the top of any page).

Now this is ballsy racing

Motorcycle racing -- the street bike kind -- has become a favorite of mine. The racing is close, the technology is over-the-top incredible and the danger is real.

Proof of that danger can be seen every year on the Isle of Man in Great Britain, home of the so-called Tourist Trophy race. Since the race started in 1907, 228 people -- yep, that's no typo -- have died at the race.

The course is long, with each lap a shade under 38 miles long, with 200 "bends" and an elevation change from sea level to 1,300 feet. And this is no closed course; the racing runs through neighborhoods, towns and on public roads.

If that weren't amazing enough, get this: The AVERAGE speed for the Super Bike record holder over the course of that 38 miles is 130 mph!

These videos are long but worth at least one viewing just to see how some folks live on the wild side.

Researching Marchbanks Speedway

One of my loves is auto racing, and more specifically what is called open-wheel racing.

I've spent most of my life in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California, and have visited a variety of dirt and paved tracks in the area, half of which no longer exist. 

Sadly, one I never saw was Marchbanks Speedway near Hanford, Calif. Even more sad is that little is known of what was once among California's pre-eminent tracks, hosting Champ Cars (think Indy) and the equivalent of NASCAR's Sprint Cup series.

The main track was a 1.3-1.4-mile oval, with two smaller ovals of varying sizes inside. The banking was as steep as 30 degrees in spots, which is nearly impossible to walk up. Racing was frequent in the 1950s and 1960s, but apparently died out in the early 1970s.

There are a few mentions on websites, including a short blip mentioning the NASCAR tie, and an informative community thread on Track Forum. There's a simple but interesting track diagram at The Racing Line and an entry documenting the death of James Stainton.

Wikipedia even has a bare-bones entry.

Mario Andretti in a Ford at "Hanford Motor Speedway" in 1967The only photo I've seen is one of Mario Andretti racing at "Hanford Motor Speedway" in 1967. Several sites list different locations for the track, but from what I can tell from satellite photos, evidence of the track is long gone.

But I'd love to see other photos, particularly shots of the track itself, as well as track down more detail. If you have any knowledge of the track, please feel free to share here or contact me through the Email Me link. I'll get back to you asap.

I'll start my own research and share it as I collect it.