I raced the SCCA National at Greenwood in an HP Sprite in '65 or '66. It was one of my most memorable races ever, even though I only finished 3rd. The first place car was off and gone and I was racing Tom Varner for 2nd the whole race. We spent most of the race side by side and by the end we both had black tire swirls down the sides of our Bugeyes. It was a fantastic track; the very fast banked turn one, the downhill into the woods and the hard right at the bottom of the hill, then the climb to the hairpin where all you could see was sky and the tops of trees beyond the Armco, the fast esses, then down into the bowl before the climb back to S/F. Nearly 60 years on and I can still remember every turn. Thanks for the video and your preservation efforts.
Thank you. I grew up in Indianola. Fondly remember one particular Sunday afternoon race which included the Carroll Shelby's Cobras, Jim Hall's Chaparal's, the Corvette Grand Sport & other legendary race cars. Was fortunate to be in the pits and stand close with Carroll Shelby & Jim Hall having a friendly discussion before the race. I think 1965 July race. I was 15 at the time.
I just watched your episode on Greenwood. I am just an old man who has always loved racing. I am in Northern California and grew up with a racecar in my driveway. With the arrival of my 3rd little brother signaled the end of our racing. Our local track is still runs events through the majority of the summer. We did go through a period where the track was shutdown and up for sale. At one point it was rumored the it would turn down and a housing development would be built. I said that would not happen. An environmental impact study showed that the land was not viable for housing. So we still have our tiny 1/4 mile track. I live close enough to hear the races and think that life is good. It is nice to see the passion for a racetrack live on. I hope that I will get to run on it again. It is to bad that the union has not allowed its continued use, it looks like a fun drive at speed.
I grew up in the 60's in Fairmont MN. In July of 65, I drove down to Greenwood with my girlfriend and watched those fantastic cars of the 60's, I never made another race as Vietnam got me. What a great day I had, my girlfriend not so much.
I grew up in Indianola, a 10 minute drive from Greenwood Raceway and remember seeing the cars on the track on the way to Lacona, a small town just East of the track. Just drove by it last week!
I attended SCCA events at Watkins Glen during the late 1960's and early 1970's, when stationed in upstate NY in the Army. It was always a great time. I enjoyed your presentation on Greenwood. Too bad it did not get completed as designed or come back together. Nice presentation!
I grew up just south of Indianola in the 80s My brother and I loved seeing this track, it was awesome. Thank you very much for this video. It brought back alot of great memories.
I don't know how I never learned of this place in my time there but this was a fascinating watch. Sad to learn that, like many great old places, access and use remains impossible. Glad you've curated so much history on the place and are willing to share!
Hi Steve . Your passion is obvious ! As a Brit l'm ignorant of it's provenance but it's importance to you and your fellow members is palpable . Thanks Steve.
Man, i wish some rich gearhead would buy it and resurface it. Such a shame such an amazing track is sitting in disrepair. No track should ever meet that fate. Especially not one with such a great layout so close to my home!
Interesting history, enjoyable watch. Steve's channel by far and away the best motoring/car channel on YT. If I lived anywhere near his shop I'd volunteer to work there - even sweeping the floors - for free.
Steve, great job on this Greenwood series!! I was lucky enough to have a chance to drive it a few times back to when we could (including in the Mustang) and it always made me think about how nice of a track that it had been and could be. Pretty sure that those days are gone but at least it is still there. See you at Road America (I have your and your dad's awards from the car show). Kim Barron
I knew Eric Wieland from our time in the National Guard, and I never knew he was such a car enthusiast. It's too bad his project never got off the ground. I would love to see some racing there.
What could have been... At least you've been able to assemble a wonderful history, perhaps something might change in the future, but... Without a dream, nothing will grow. Thanx !
I was thereat the 2013 event with my tan 66 mustang. My dad was there w his 67 trilingual mustang. We drove the track and received the decals for the event. I still have mine on my car. The track was awesome. It's only 50 miles away from home. I hope to drive it again.
Very interesting story. Thanks for sharing. The cover art of the brochure looks more like a 1958 Ferrari 250 TR "pontoon fender" than a Cobra to me though.
Steve, this was great stuff! Never heard of this location, it's really great that you are promoting the history and securing it for the future. I bet if you reprinted those awesome shirts once again you'd get some takers! Love that artwork very much. 🙂
Wasn’t VIR resurrected from a similar condition? Hopefully Greenwood will see the realization of these dreams. I’ll drive up to enjoy some good road racing!
VIR was closed for only 26 years a far cry from Greenwood's 57 years but it would take little effort to first turn it into a private track and later add enough infrastructure to host races.
I raced 100cc ( two stroke ) direct drive karts in the 1990s senior class ( weekend warriors 😉) they are the best bang for your buck. The acceleration and grip is phenomenal. The engines wear very fast due to high revs but are simple motors.
Worthy effort, too bad it fell flat, but I'm sure at this point, it would be cheaper/easier to just build on virgin soil down the street and call it something new. Tracks are few and far between, the loss of each one is hard to swallow.
