Drag racing in Orange
Photos from drag racing events at the Orange Municipal Airport: top left, Bill Thorp in his drag racer waits for the green flag; bottom left, after the start flag; top right, the race begins; bottom right, Thorp s car in the Pits; bottom center, a dash plaque racers received when they raced. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/DONNA THORP
Modified: 12/11/2020 4:02:30 PM
The sounds of planes landing and taking off can often be heard at the Orange Airport. However, in the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s, there was also a different sound at the airport: the sound of drag racing.
According to Bill Thorp, a resident of Athol and a former Orange drag racer, the racing began at the airport in 1954. The races were held once a month, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, and were sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association.