Tidelands Circuit (San Carlos)

In July 1952 the San Francisco Junior Chamber of Commerce started drag racing at a new paved asphalt road course at Holly and Bayshore Highway in San Carlos, south of Belmont and near the San Carlos Airport. Newspapers called it Tidelands Circuit, but according to Don Jensen the drag racers all called it Belmont, and one old-timer he interviewed called it San Carlos Raceway. The Peninsula Timing Association helped build and finance the course. Drag races used a fifth-mile section of the 2,000-foot straightaway. The first, on July 20, drew 96 racers and 600 spectators, and Hot Rod Magazine ran photos in October 1952 (pages 36-37). The Redwood Timing Association ran the races, held almost every Sunday that first year except when the course was booked for road racing, until the winter break in September. There was an electronic timer and trophies for class winners. In 1953 Kingdon Drag Strip began racing on alternate Sundays to avoid clashing with Belmont.