Ascot Park - "Kings of Speed"
August 27 – October 13, 2018
California State University, Northridge Art Galleries presents Kings of Speed: Ascot Raceway 1957-1990 August 27 – October 13, 2018.
By Harold Osmer
Wed, Aug 1, 2018 02:57 PM PST
Located in Gardena California, Ascot Park Raceway ranked behind only the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Daytona International Speedway as the best-known racing facility in the country. For thirty-three years, Ascot was the busiest racing venue in the world, hosting an endless array of weekly races.
J.C. Agajanian, one of auto racing’s greatest car owners and promoters, hosted midget, sprint car, flat track, and motorcycle races, among others, at Ascot. Racecar drivers Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, and Al Unser, and motorcycle racers Kenny Roberts, David Aldan, Skip Van Leeuwin, and Wayne Rainey, among many others, plied their trade at Ascot over the years. Motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel performed his first nationally televised jump at Ascot.
The exhibition will showcase a selection of vehicles, including sprint cars, midgets, and motorcycles, all integral to the legacy of Ascot Park. Historic objects, including posters, helmets, leathers, trophies, and other memorabilia generously loaned by the Agajanian family will be on display.
Gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday. More information and press images are available upon request; call the Art Galleries at (818) 677-2156 or visit www.csun.edu/artgalleries.
Exhibition Dates:
August 27 – October 13, 2018
Reception: Saturday, September 8 / 2 – 8pm
Curator’s Talk: Monday, September 10 / 10am
About The Author
Harold Osmer works as a writer as well as a publisher in whatever spare time he can find. He’s authored award-winning books about auto racing in Los Angeles, has a Masters degree in geography, and holds a black belt in karate. He’s a regular at local car shows and race venues where he’s often seen setting up a table and selling books. His show ride is a 1951 Chevy pickup, dressed to emulate a Spec truck, complete with graphics, numbers, and sponsor decals.
