“I live my life a quarter mile at a time” is the often-quoted line from the first Fast & Furious movie.
The backdrop for that movie was the drag racing scene in Los Angeles. Though at its core, this was a high stakes, action-packed film about family.
That same “racing family” sentiment echoes through the grounds at Paradise Drag Strip in Calhoun, Ga. Yes, there’s competition, and a hunger to be the quickest down the well-prepped 1/8th of a mile track.
But at the end of the day, a genuine love for the sport joins competitors and fans alike. Nowhere is that more apparent than during the unique “Thrills On The Hill” event held every three months or so at Paradise.
As you would suspect, this combined drag race, car show, and swap meet is a big attendance draw.
While taking in the action, we had the good fortune to meet Aaron Almaguer, a talented part-time photographer who graciously supplied us with many photos you see in this piece.
Our good fortune continued because we also ran into Susan Fletcher, whose family owns Paradise Drag Strip. Susan was a treasure trove of knowledge and eager to share.
Built In 1961
Rod Worley – Editor – Thank you for keeping Paradise going when so many drag strips in the area have closed. When did you build the track?
Susan Fletcher – Paradise Drag Strip – My dad built the track in 1961. Originally, it was a quarter-mile in length, but we shortened it when everyone started going to an eighth of a mile.
Dad passed away 12 years ago. My mom still owns the track, but my husband and I and our four kids run it.
We have the track open every Sunday for our bracket race program. Gates open at 10 a.m., with the track going hot as soon as church is over across the street.
Depending on the crowd that weekend, we’ll race from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 or 5:30 p.m.
Thrills On The Hill
Rod Worley – Editor – Can you tell us more about your “Thrills On The Hill” event?
Susan Fletcher – Paradise Drag Strip – We’ve been putting on the “Thrills On The Hill” event every three months for about ten years. It’s a combination of a car show, swap meet, and race event.
Our last “Thrills On The Hill” turnout was standing room only. There were 50 or 60 vendors here for the swap meet, and about 60 cars signed up for the car shows.
That day, we had about 40 cars racing, and even some Corvettes. Our December “Thrills” weekend also includes a Toys For Tots drive for local children.
The turnout for the December event is always big because of the toy drive. So many people show up with trash bags full of new toys for needy children.
Faster With Finnegan
Rod Worley – Editor – I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of celebrities visit the track over the years. Are there any that stand out?
Susan Fletcher – Paradise Drag Strip – Numerous celebrities have visited us at Paradise through the years.
In the late 60s, Richard Petty was up here during that brief time he couldn’t race with NASCAR. Petty did a circuit where he went drag racing for a while.
Of course, Mike Finnegan drops in from time to time. His “Faster with Finnegan” show has been on MotorTrend TV for several seasons.
He actually lives in Acworth and comes over to help promote our Toys for Tots toy drive in December. Warren Johnson, the “Professor of ProStock” from NHRA, has been here.
There have also been several big-name rappers and other people who have come up to film their videos over the years.
Passion For Teaching & Photography
Rod Worley – Editor – Aaron, we’ve only just met, but it’s clear you’ve got a real passion for teaching and automotive photography. Can you tell us more about where you’re teaching now?
Aaron Almaguer – Thanks, Rod. I’m a part-time freelance automotive photographer and a new instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College at the Bartow Career Academy location.
I really like spreading the automotive gospel, whether it’s through photography or teaching. What drives my automotive passion is that eureka moment in a student’s eyes whenever they learn something new and understand why it works the way it does.
It’s incredibly gratifying to know I’m helping to teach the next generation of automotive techs. We’re giving them the knowledge and experience to understand automotive technology.
You might be surprised to know that Chattahoochee Technical College is the largest technical college in Georgia, with an enrollment typically exceeding 10,000 students each academic year.
The college provides a high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of the other area colleges and universities. Our eight campus locations serve Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding, and Pickens counties.
Something else you may not have known is that Chattahoochee Technical College grants awards certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in more than 50 programs of study.
Only A Handful Left
Drag racing has come a long way from being an underground pastime to today’s organized events. It’s believed the first organized event happened in 1949 at the Goleta Air Base in California.
Back then, people would use abandoned military runways and turn them into drag racing strips, which made sense. Sadly, today, local drag strips are shutting down in record numbers.
Often, as might have been the case with Atlanta Dragway, the land underneath the track becomes astronomically more valuable than the track’s revenue.
Sometimes, new neighbors complain until a municipality decides the neighbor’s tax revenue is more valuable than the drag strips and levies stringent noise enforcement.
Tsunami-sized insurance bills and lawsuit liability are also determining factors for many. It comes down to this: if you enjoy drag racing, you must support your local tracks.
In the case of Georgia, there are only a few left. We’re thankful we had a chance to experience the exciting “Thrills On The Hill” event at Paradise Drag Strip in Calhoun.
You need to get out and enjoy it as well…soon!
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