MEMORIES

Waterville  - Oakland Raceway

 

 

 

 

The Waterville-Oakland Raceway officially opened on Sunday afternoon, September 17, 1950. Leon Baker won the opening day feature race. A one-third mile dirt oval, many of the top drivers who raced in the central Maine area competed at Waterville-Oakland, including Russ Longley, Dick Burgess, George Silva and others. Located in Oakland, the track had much promise but the raceway closed forever after one full season in 1951. The track's future may have been doomed from the start - a half-hour before its official opening, the grandstands collapsed injuring two spectators.  A marine and RV sales business now sits on the site of the track.

 

Willy Pelotte (#44) with Russ Longley (coupe #7 5/8) right behind in a qualifying race on the opening day of the new Waterville-Oakland Raceway in 1951.

 

The lineup for the inaugural race at the Waterville-Oakland Raceway in 1951. On the pole is Phil Vigue (#720). Russ Longley, who won the inaugural feature race, is third on the inside row. Right behind Longley is Dick Burgess (#34).

 

The dust is flying in the inaugural race at Waterville-Oakland Raceway. From left to right - Larry LaCroix (#4) on the outside with Willy Pelotte (#44) on the inside. Russ Longley is in the coupe and Dick Burgess (#34) on the inside.