What happened to the Mulholland "King of the Hill" RSR?

[Heel n Toe]

Wow... very cool track layout... somebody please invent a time machine.

Dave... take the Corolla out there and establish a baseline lap time... and shoot some pix?

Probably a good place to put the glider up, too.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Wow... very cool track layout... somebody please invent a time machine.

Dave... take the Corolla out there and establish a baseline lap time... and shoot some pix?

Probably a good place to put the glider up, too.

I was planning on going out this afternoon - to take pix.

Although I have never flown there, the ranch is used for R/C gliders and electrics from time to time.

[Heel n Toe]

Ran across this just now on a BBS... I guess it should go into the history file... it's worth the bandwidth for this photo alone...
______________________
Posted by corsaresearch

Harrison Evans, Paramount winner



Who is (or was) Harrison Evans, winner of the first Paramount Ranch sports car road race in Southern California?

I need this information for 'Weekend Heroes' - my new book-project on the sports car races in California from the early fifties to the inaugural Riverside meeting in September 1957. I'm doing some sort of drivers section in the back of the book using beautiful old color shots like this one. However, Evans appears to be a mystery man. I've asked my friend Jim Sitz for help, but he couldn't find much on him, although Sitz is a walking dictionary when it comes to 1950s racing on both sides of the Atlantic.

Harrison Evans raced a C-type Jag before he bought the ex-John von Neumann Ferrari Monza (0492M) in early 1956.

He raced the Monza throughout the 1956 season and kind of dissapeared afterwards.

______________________
Posted by Richie Jenkins

I've been searching through the old papers - the following is from the Van Nuys Valley News - Aug 21 1956.

HARRISON EVANS WINS PARAMOUNT SPORT CAR RACE
Driving a Ferrari Monza, 41 yr old Harrison Evans maintained an average of 71.8 mph during the hour long 36 lap big bore main event at the Paramount Ranch race track on Sunday to nose out second place Eric Hauser by two seconds.

http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php?postid=2456815


___
I also found out on a slot car blog that Paramount "....remains the only North American racetrack that was built with a crossover (bridge)...."

http://wmbrant.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!663A53C396FBBBDA!471.entry

[Steve_in_SB]

What a great detour thread....

Here is a link to the Paramount Ranch Race course. http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/ParamountRanchHome.html#Paramount%20Ranch%20Homepa ge Click on all the pics for great links. It appears that almost all of the track still exists, with the main straight being Paramount Ranch Road. Did they ever use the track for filming movies??

Had a reunion gathering in 2005


Thanks for bringing this up..

[slodave]

At the Paramount track now.

[Banning]

This book by Art Evans is an incredible resource if you are interested in The Paramount Ranch.





Lots of pages of photos, billboards, advertisments, and tons more. Plus all the movies and tv shows that were shot there.
There were over 130 movie/tv shows done at The Ranch.






An old shot from the air.





Here is the exact location, just to the left of the intersection of Cornell and Mulholland.

[Banning]

Originally Posted by Steve_in_SB

What a great detour thread....

Here is a link to the Paramount Ranch Race course. http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/ParamountRanchHome.html#Paramount%20Ranch%20Homepa ge Click on all the pics for great links. It appears that almost all of the track still exists, with the main straight being Paramount Ranch Road. Did they ever use the track for filming movies?

This is a Billboard to advertise one of the movies shot at Paramount Ranch called "The Devil's Hairpin". Sounds like Mulholland

[flatspot]

Cool,
The first time I went there was for a boy scout jamboree in the 70's. Back then more of the
track still existed, part of the center section was washed away in a big rain storm in '83.
In the early eighties you could still sneek in and have a run on large portions of the track.
They put a big gate across the main staight but people kept busting the lock. Had quite a
few fun runs though there in both the Pinto and the Z. Finally they installed metal posts.
Back in the 70's when i was there with the scouts there used to be a big artificial lake where
they shot the Tarzan tv show. This was in the middle of the mid '70s drought so the lake was
dry. it was a perfect concrete bowl with one steep almost vertical section at one end where
Tarzan used to swing on his vine. Well me and a bunch of the kids in my troop were skaters
and never went anywere without our boards. we skated the **** out of that bowl over the jamboree weekend and went back several times after that. Apparently the Z-boys had also
discovered this place because there was a big Dogtown cross spray painted on the vert part
of the bowl. The lake has since been filled in and it's now the big lawn area in the park.
Mulholland is so full of hidden history.
Peace, Kiley

[slodave]

That was a fun little outing. I think I will go back tomorrow, there is a little of the track that I did not photo, as the sun was behind the Santa Monica Mtns. Paramount Ranch is on National Park land, but parking is free. Apparently the movie studios cannot prohibit the public from wandering the old west town, but they will keep you out of the areas that they are using. About the only racing you can do, is drag race down the straight. A lot of asphalt road is still there, but the earth is reclaiming it.
Looking down the straight, pretty much at where the cars would be coming out of the last turn.

Straight at the bridge.

Looking back down the straight.

Not much room under the bridge anymore.

[slodave]

Looking at the first big sweeper after the straight.

Sweeper again, Cornell Rd. is behind the wood fence.

Looking back down the first sweeper.

Trying to give an idea of the bank and altitude gain.

[slodave]

I guess this would be the back straight.

Coming up behind the old west town.

This is from behind the old west town. A few tight turns...

[slodave]

Running out of light and time for the day....

Looks like they were prepared to deal accidents on site...


Too bad there were a number of Rangers and movie crew around.

[Banning]

In two days the entire house smells like a Goodyear tire factory from the Blue Streaks being in the family room downstairs.

Today after visiting Kevin, research was done to locate a tire mounting facility that takes good care of polished wheels.

[TooTall]

SloDave,

Paramount Ranch is a cool place. One of the "lost tracks". My late father-in-law raced back in the day and ran at Paramount Ranch, Torrey Pines, Palm Springs, Pebble Beach, even the very first race at Willow. He had a much modified MGTD with a Ford flathead V8-60 and later a Triumph TR2. The head ranger at Paramount is heavily into the history of the place and is a car guy. Some of you guys would probably be surprised where they used to have organized races in So. Cal. like Hansen Dam, Terminal Island, Glendale Airport, Santa Barbara Airport and March Field in Riverside.

Cheers,
Kurt O.

[slodave]

"Lost Track" is right. I have been to Paramount Ranch numerous times and never noticed. I drive Cornell Rd. quite frequently and I guess I have seen the first turn, but never really gave much thought as to what it was. Mom my is really into the Santa Monica Mtns. and deals with the different park services and she was surprised as well..

[Swiss Carrera]

Congratulations on a wonderful thread!

I have been following it since it started, but only today did i register in order to post my reply.

A bit about me.

I was born and spent the first 30 years of my life in rural England, just outside London and i dont think you guys stateside can imagine the impact of the SoCal car scene had on me whilst i was in my (car) forming years.

I started to get "into" cars when i was about 15 and stumbled accross an article about Cal-Look Vw's in a British custom car magazine and i instantly knew i had to have one of these brightly coloured, lowered, Porsche inspired machines.

So whilst all my friends were driving and styling thier rally style Ford Escorts, Capris and Fiestas i was driving my 70 Bug completed with baby blue paintjob, Fuchs rims and warm motor.

Lets just say they didnt "get it" and i got lots of stick about my choice of ride.

About the same time i was always dreaming of cruising in my bug down to Huntingdon beach or hitting the desert highway to Death Valley, but then i would realise that i lived in the British countryside, complete with narrow lanes and houses with straw for roofs and the dream would be hard to continue.

However aged 21 a friend and myself booked two tickets to LA and spent 2 weeks driving a brand new Cadillac rental around taking in all the places up till then we had only seen via TJ Hooker, CHiPs and all those other iconic US TV shows. It was the start of many trips i have taken to LA and the surrounding area.

Fast forward to 2000 and i now find myself living in Zurich, Switzerland with my Swiss / Italian wife. things are going well so i buy my first 911, a 1984 3.2 Carrera and begin to explore the Swiss mountain passes.

Wow! these roads are made for a nimble, powerful sports car and soon i upgrade my 3.2 for a 1994 993 C2, which i stil have to this day.

However the SoCal dream still lives inside me and when i came accross this thread, about naughty night time racing through the LA hills, in a custom made 911, it brought home to me that here were a bunch of guys that had lived MY dream.

To say i have become addicted to this thread is an understatement, i check it every day to see the latest news and get a real kick out of seeing how it has developed.

I particulary enjoyed the posts about the time you guys spent looking for all the cars (and pieces of them) that had gone over the edge and was loved seeing the pictures of the stuff you had found.

A message to Mr Banning - i love your car, am deeply envious of your house and its perfect location for you and i wish you well in your attempts to get this fine machine back on the road. If i ever find myself back in LA i would love to join you and the crew on one of your meets to see your cars.

A message to all you other legends of Mulholland - thanks for sharing all your memories and please keep this thread going.

[Banning]

Originally Posted by Swiss Carrera

Congratulations on a wonderful thread!

I have been following it since it started, but only today did i register in order to post my reply.

A bit about me.

I was born and spent the first 30 years of my life in rural England, just outside London and i dont think you guys stateside can imagine the impact of the SoCal car scene had on me whilst i was in my (car) forming years.

I started to get "into" cars when i was about 15 and stumbled accross an article about Cal-Look Vw's in a British custom car magazine and i instantly knew i had to have one of these brightly coloured, lowered, Porsche inspired machines.

So whilst all my friends were driving and styling thier rally style Ford Escorts, Capris and Fiestas i was driving my 70 Bug completed with baby blue paintjob, Fuchs rims and warm motor.

Lets just say they didnt "get it" and i got lots of stick about my choice of ride.

About the same time i was always dreaming of cruising in my bug down to Huntingdon beach or hitting the desert highway to Death Valley, but then i would realise that i lived in the British countryside, complete with narrow lanes and houses with straw for roofs and the dream would be hard to continue.

However aged 21 a friend and myself booked two tickets to LA and spent 2 weeks driving a brand new Cadillac rental around taking in all the places up till then we had only seen via TJ Hooker, CHiPs and all those other iconic US TV shows. It was the start of many trips i have taken to LA and the surrounding area.

Fast forward to 2000 and i now find myself living in Zurich, Switzerland with my Swiss / Italian wife. things are going well so i buy my first 911, a 1984 3.2 Carrera and begin to explore the Swiss mountain passes.

Wow! these roads are made for a nimble, powerful sports car and soon i upgrade my 3.2 for a 1994 993 C2, which i stil have to this day.

However the SoCal dream still lives inside me and when i came accross this thread, about naughty night time racing through the LA hills, in a custom made 911, it brought home to me that here were a bunch of guys that had lived MY dream.

To say i have become addicted to this thread is an understatement, i check it every day to see the latest news and get a real kick out of seeing how it has developed.

I particulary enjoyed the posts about the time you guys spent looking for all the cars (and pieces of them) that had gone over the edge and was loved seeing the pictures of the stuff you had found.

A message to Mr Banning - i love your car, am deeply envious of your house and its perfect location for you and i wish you well in your attempts to get this fine machine back on the road. If i ever find myself back in LA i would love to join you and the crew on one of your meets to see your cars.

A message to all you other legends of Mulholland - thanks for sharing all your memories and please keep this thread going.

I'm sure that Derek and everyone that has contributed to the making of this thread (including myself) says thank you. Any great car story or stories needs to be told for the entertainment and inspiration of others. This car life is in a way, a brotherhood.

Your personal story was fun to read about. It's good to get a perspective from someone living in a different environment and far away. London is an incredible place but someday I'd like to see the rolling green hills of England. Photos of the English countryside always look so welcoming and beautiful.

Per your personal message: Thank you very much for your sentiments and you are welcome to join us any time you are in town and we are meeting.
I have a "gut feeling" that we will be meeting more this year than last.
Best regards, Chris Banning

[KevinP73]

Hey Derek, Did you have any idea what you were starting when you asked "What happened to the Mulholland "King of the Hill" RSR? "?
I mean seriously Think about it. Legends have been awakened, cars have been brought back to life, and the story of this thread has spread literaly around the world.
My question to you is, What made you think of the RSR and think to ask of it's whereabouts?

[vntgspd]

Slodave -

Great pictures that really give a sense of the track. This place looks like FUN! You could still race it, you just need the right car!!

[Heel n Toe]

Thanks for the photos, Dave. Man, what a beautiful location for a track.

I'm assuming those bridge supports were not there when the track was in use, but were added later when it began to sag. But you were there and know the scale of it... would it seem about right for the edges of the track to be about where I have drawn them here?