05.02.03_ALC_AIR_CLU_0050_1.jpg (89560 bytes)

Photo ID # 05.02.03_ALC_AIR_CLU_0050M_1
Car #: #NA
Driver (s) : NA
Location: Alcyon Speedway, Pitman, NJ
Date: 1950's
Photographer: Joe Clune
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Comments provided by Russ: 

This is an aerial photo of Alcyon Speedway taken by Joe Clune, who is the son-in-law of car owner Tom Raymer. In the foreground is Alcyon Lake. Between the lake and the speedway was located Alcyon Park which was an active amusement park up until WW II. The lake shores in the early 1900's featured a boardwalk, skating rink, bowling alley and other arcade type attractions. Note the D shape of the famous 5/8's mile speedway. Alcyon is located on Holly Ave. near Lambs Road in Pitman, N.J. Holly Ave. is located on the right side of the photo. Today the speedway has been replace with a modern park. Thanks to the efforts of Ralph Richards Jr., race photographer and Pitman historian, a monument stands paying tribute to the famous speedway. Thanks, Russ Dodge

The original track at Alcyon Park was constructed as a 1/3 mile bicycle facility in 1895. In 1910, the track was expanded to allow horses to 1/2 mile to allow horses to race on the track. To gain this additional distance, the track was "bulged out" to a D-shape form giving the new speedway its famed dog-leg and five turns. While various forms of motor sport events were held at the track in early years, The Vault will solicit pictures from the post WW II era up until the track closed in 1960. Alcyon Speedway in the 50's was the place to race. A win there was prestigious, such as a win at Reading or Flemington in later years. The top drivers from Maryland to New York would tow to Alcyon to compete in the Friday night shows. The pictures that will appear in the Vault, as time goes by, will validate the premium field of cars and drivers that race the famous speedway. To name any at this time would only slight hundreds of others that should be sighted. Notes: The track measured 50' wide for most of the way around. There was a baseball field in the infield, with a modern lighting system, used up until the late 40's The track ran on Friday nights and Holiday afternoons.

It featured a covered grandstand and bleachers along the front straight away, If you went off the track any where from the first turn to the fourth turn you went down a heck of drop and landed in trees. The track actually measured 5/8 on the outside guardrail. The Friday night show started at 8:30 to allow local ball games, wedding rehearsals and such to be over so people could get to Alcyon!

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Comment:

08.05.13 John Austin

My father, Jack Austin, would help park cars there for the VFW.  One of my best childhood memories was to listen to the cars at night from my bedroom window, all the way from Esplanade Avenue.

     
     

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