A number of people were part-owners in the property and the Holly Ridge Drag Strip from the late 1950s into the early 1980s.
Part-owners included members of the Ottoway family — Darrell and Clyde Ottoway — and the Sholar family — Winfred, Alpha Ray and Maxton Sholar.
Felix Ottaway, the son of Darrell Ottaway, said a 20th anniversary race was held in 1978 and reportedly more than 2,000 fans attended the event. which featured a 192-car field.
He said the final race held at the Holly Ridge Drag Strip was a motorcycle event in the early 1980s, featuring the Port City Wheelers.
Ottaway also said that before the development of the actual strip, races were held on the mile-long air strip, which was part of the old Camp Davis Army Base.
Date posted: October 12, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Stanley Outlaw
I have been trying to contact someone at Holly Ridge to see if they have information they can share from the races back in the 50’s. My uncle ,Ed Gurganious, won many races there and I was hoping they might have racing records and winner photos. My aunt recently gave me all of his trophies and I am cleaning, photographing, dismanteling and then shadow boxing them. It would be nice to have additional items to put in the boxes. Can you help me find someone who could help? Thank you…pam