Thunder Hills Raceway

Welcome to Thunder Hills

The legend of Thunder Hills

Nestled at the threshold of the lush forests that blanket the mountain region of Northern California lies one of Mother Nature's great mysteries, and works of beauty. World renowned for two unique characteristics - her mysterious natural acoustical properties, and her inhabitant's and visitor's love of, and obsession with sports motor racing. Named by indigenous Indian tribes of long ago for the profound rumble that permeated the Valley region during a thunderstorm - the combination of the hilly terrain and the nearby lake create a unique roar - not unpleasant, but strong, rich, and unique in all North America. The Indians spoke of the roar like an angry bear, but later, when the first European settlers came to the region, they thought it to be more of a Lion's roar. Then, when the age of the automobile began, Residents and visitors were surprised to learn that when loud motorized vehicles traversed the heart of the region, the same authoritative lion's roar-like sound permeated the air. Hence, since the early years of Sports motoring, enthusiasts from all over the country, and later, by the 1950's, the world- have come to know the Thunder Hills region for her unique sound of the roaring racer.

Thanks to land developer Ellington J. Moore, the town has embraced it's unique characteristic, and the sport that shows it off so well. Since the early settlers and forefathers of the residents of Thunder Hills had come to appreciate their gift, the modern day residents embrace the racing community for its effect on the continuation of the legend. Moore's genius was in allowing racing to become part of the town, at the same time making sure that the town was allowed to develop normally in other respects. Today, Thunder Hills, and her nearby lake - named Lake Thunder Hills- combine into one of the most beautiful scenic towns in Northern California, with a proud and prosperous population. In the mid-summer afternoons when the oppressive heat is met by the cooler air mass and a storm ensues, the magical Lion's roar can be heard - some say from as far away as 300 miles if the wind is right. If there is no storm, and the Lion is heard roaring, it has become know that there is another race day in Thunder Hills.

Sports racing enthusiasts have flocked to Thunder Hills beginning in the early 1930's

When local residents competed with relatively crude, yet lovingly constructed racers - for the fun and sportsmanship, and to exploit the region's beautifully unique ability to make a racing engine roar with the majesty of the great African Cat. It wasn't long before word got around that Thunder Hills California was a beautiful place, where Sports Motor racing was a way of life, and somehow racecars sounded more powerful, more elegant, like the kings of the great African plains. Timothy Blackheels, descendant of the local Chamuggie Indian tribe was quoted as saying "If my ancestors could hear these fine race cars, these bear -like man made creatures, they would say that it is the Thunder from a thousand years ago, that comes from the hearts of these machine creatures".

Amateur racers continued to flock to Thunder Hills

Through the 1930's, and as the post-war expansion to the west brought more people to the area, the legend of Thunder Hills became widely known. By the mid 1950's, as the great sports car racing boom was underway, The Moore family, sons of Ellington J. Moore, founded the Moore Sports car club, which hosted local sports car competitions, and soon, had other clubs from around the U.S. coming to race. Then, by 1957, as many of the great road courses such as Limerock and Bridgehampton were opened, The Moore club held the first International Thunder Hills Race Competition. The great ones of the time were there, Carrol Shelby, Sterling Moss, Fangio, Phil Hill, Fon Deportago, the Rodriguez brothers, and a young kid who showed potential - A.J. Foyt. It was a huge success, and started a tradition that went on for many years.

As with many things, they have a "heyday" and then activities quell to a lower level. This happened in Thunder Hills. As the great road-racing craze of the 50's and 60's took on a more commercial nature, racing became more of a sport for the big race Parks, with the multimillion-dollar national and international sponsorship driving the sport/business. As it turns out, the business aspect of the sport became more important, and this quieted the local road racing activities.

Today, there is a renewed interest in the Road Racing of yesteryear.

The Moore Road Racing club has evolved into Moore Road Racing, Ltd., and has formed a competitive alliance with the great Wilster Racing Enterprises. Wilster Racing enterprises, with it's roots in Short track oval modified racing, has formed the Wilster Road Race Division, which has joined forces with Moore to bring back the fabulous days of vintage road racing to Thunder Hills. Older residents of the town say they get a lump in their throats' when they hear the sound the vintage cars make as they compete through the familiar course that has hosted so many great races over the years. These two companies, Moore and Wilster, have brought the racing back, and the Lion roars again!

New sections below check them out!

Take a Tour of Thunder Hills.

See large overhead pictures of Thunder Hills.

The Aurora Factory Visit a report on what we found.

The Lost movie classic from 1966 - Godzilla vs. the ThunderJet 500's.

Explore the Thunder Hills fantasy gallery.

Tribute to Two NASCAR modified Stock Car Legends.

NASCAR Modified Legends - the real Chargin Charlie J and Rapid Roman

View the HO static truck to T-jet conversion. An interesting project.

Riddle me this, Batmobiles.

Nostalgic 1960's 1:24 scale models - a tribute to Jeff.

 

The Thunder Hills Fans in the stands. Great shots of them, and more T-hills action!

 

Bellmore Speedway International - Thunder Hills' Sister Track now has a site!!

long Island Racing Memories - - Come take the tour of my Long Island Racing Memories.

 

The Champion BSI Racing Cheetah! - See the powerhouse racing Cheetah Bellmore Speedway International will be running this year.

 

 

  Thanks to the Ho-slotcars Mailing List for all the expert advice on running & racing slot HO cars! This link leads to many great HO slot Car sites - check it out!

We hope you've enjoyed your visit to the Thunder Hills Web Site. Your comments are welcome - please send to:

Dave Wilson (Wilster)

For questions or comments on the Thunder Hills track layout, ask the builder Doug Moore

 

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