This home movie captures a series of drag races at an air strip in Abilene. Gathered spectators watch races between dragsters and stock cars. According to the item’s label information, the dragster that experiences an engine fire was being driven by champion drag racer Eddie Hill.

Drag racer Eddie Hill was born in Longivew, Texas, on March 6, 1936. He later moved to Texas, attending Longview High School and Texas A&M University. Hill started competing in drag races in 1955, building his own hot rods and dragsters. He won the state championship in 1959. In 1966, Hill retired from racing and opened a motorcycle dealership in Wichita Falls. He soon returned to racing, however, leading successful careers in motorcycle racing and later boat drag racing. In 1985, Hill came back into drag racing. Three years later, he became the first driver to cover a quarter mile in less than five seconds (4.990), earning him the nickname “Four Father of Drag Racing.” Hill won his twelfth national championship title the same year. Hill was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2002 and the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He currently lives in Wichita Falls, where he operates a dealership. 

Taylor County Abilene

TFC 1960s 1960’s home movie Abilene Taylor County drag race racing race car race

airfield dragster race car automobile sport car engine drag strip stock car finish line

spectator runway hot rod explosion fire accident blow up Eddie Hill Hill, Eddie drag racer

race car driver motorsports