Riverside Raceway, what's left of it, from space

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

If memory serves, this would be the area where the old RIverside Raceway was. I was looking through this Keyhole program- pretty amazing stuff, just type in an address and you can see it from space down to pretty good resolution- here's the photo.
Am I right?

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

See if this one is any easier to read....

motion · 03-12-2004, 04:22 PM

Yep, looks like the spot... 215 and 60.

Where does one get this Keyhole program?

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Richard, use this link:
http://www.keyhole.com/

On this page, go to Customer Clients, Keyhole LT
and download the 7 day trial. It's really incredible what you
can do with it. I doubt I'll step up for the full year subscription
but I'm having a blast looking up places I used to live etc.
Try it.

Zeke · 03-12-2004, 05:28 PM

I'm told that turn 9 is still there in the weeds. The other end is under Mervyns Dept Store or something.

singpilot · 03-13-2004, 12:26 AM

There is a mega shopping center built on the site. I have pictures of me there in the 60's sitting on the hood of a '64 Bonnevile, watching my Dad prep his GT350. The hills to the north look exactly the same as I remember them.... undeveloped. I got lots of hot (really hot) laps there in the Ford. Couldn't see too much over the hood, but the sights, sounds and smells are forever imprinted. I never worried about driving with my Dad on the (then) relatively free SoCal Freeways after riding with him thru turn 9.

expat · 03-13-2004, 02:46 AM

Nice link Bruce. Thanks!

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

I used to time trial at Riverside and the Turn 9 comments brought back a memory. Driving a 911 with a modified or no exhaust was quite a thrill going through 9. You were quite close to the wall and the exhaust sound was bouncing off of the concrete. The wall ended about the exit of 9 and the sound went quiet all of the sudden. It was a strange feeling. I don't know why I remember that but it always felt odd going through that point in 9 and beginning the front straight by the pits.

singpilot · 03-13-2004, 08:38 AM

I remember the 'curbs' in the esses just after the pits, and going light in 6. The bridge flashing by on the straight. How hot it was, but felt better going fast. The howl of the hot tires. Willow in the summer is about the only place that gets those feels again.

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Here's Willow Springs from space.

dd74 · 03-14-2004, 07:09 AM

Riverside is nice. Many old Victorian houses, and of course The Mission Inn hotel, which is like a mini Hearst Castle, is worth a trip to Riverside alone.

The raceway...well...it was great when it was there. But hey, malls are important too.

dd74 · 03-14-2004, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GIBSON

Here's Willow Springs from space.

If you look hard enough, you can see Scruffy at turn 9.

GIBSON · GIBSON's Garage

Seems like I should be able to post this image as a larger file, I see some files here that are really large and still can be uploaded.
I create files that are within the size restrictions but are so small they can barely be seen. That image of Willow is really impressive a bit larger, what am I doing wrong?