The initial hope of VIR's founders was to have an SCCA regional race in October, 1956. It didn't happen. Then the plan was to have the big National event in May 1957. But weather delayed paving and the Inaugural race finally took place in August, 1957.
Magazine article and photos - "Vibrant Virginia" from Sports Car magazine March-April 1957
The Strickland Brothers (Mt. Airy NC) graded the course as laid out by Hooper Johnson, Ed Welch, Ed Alexander, and Ed Kemm. They hauled gravel/sand from the nearby Dan River to use as a base.
Original construction photos - courtesy of Ed & Brenda Welch
 1 - Ed Kemm |
 2- Ed Welch |
 3- Plane that Ed Welch flew to commute from Winston-Salem |
 4- Plane that Ed Welch flew to commute from Winston-Salem |
 5- ? |
 6- Strickland brothers |
 7- Strickland Brothers |
 8- |
 9- Johnny Foote |
 10 - Ed Welch & Strickland |
 11- uphill esses? |
 12- entry to Oak Tree (looking counter-race) |
 13- back straight |
Original construction photos courtesy of George Arnold
 1- front straight |
 2- entry to Oak Tree? |
 3- uphill esses (counter-race) |
 4- uphill esses |
 5- near the "Coke bridge" |
 6- spectator hill |
Photos from Virginia Motor Sports Club Scrapbook - early 1957 - before paving:
Oak Tree |
Front Straight & Pagoda |
Downhill Esses |
Cars & Cows |
Bulldozers |
Uphill Esses
(viewed counter-race from Oak Tree turn) |
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