PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY - California

Words and Pictures by Cary Cotterman

Perris Auto Speedway, a separate venue from Perris Raceway, is located next to Lake Perris, southeast of Los Angeles. The track was purpose-built for stock car racing, but hosts an occassional speedway meeting advertised as 'long track', although the oval is not much more than 400 metres around. The pits are in the centre, which is set off from the track by concrete barriers. There is no safety fence for the riders, but spectators are separated from the action by a high wire fence.

What the track lacks in refinement, the spectacular public address system makes up for in high-fidelity sound -- for the first time I was able to hear rider interviews clearly, as well as the lyrics of Bob Dylan songs played during the interval.

This article was first published on 19th November 2009