Orange Co Int Raceway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 Conv Pace Car Beach City Chevy 1969

[SMKZ28]

A 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible was used in some official capacity at Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) in East Irvine, California sometime in July of 1969.  In this photo you can see the Camaro on the dragstrip with a couple of women sitting on the back.  It was probably taken prior to an event during the pre-race ceremonies.  This photograph has the date stamp of July 1969 indicating that it was developed sometime in July of 1969. 

I found it somewhere on Facebook a while back but I can not find it again so I'm not actually sure which Facebook group I found it on.  Nor am I sure what event it was taken at.  UPDATE: I found my notes on where I obtained the photo.  It came from the Memories of OCIR Facebook page.  Since I found it about a year ago the site has gone private.  That is why I couldn't find it again.  My notes also state that the person who posted the photo wrote that the event took place on July 20, 1969 and that it was sponsored by the Professional Dragster Association. 

[SMKZ28]

Here is another photo that was also posted with the above image somewhere on Facebook.  It is also date stamped July 1969.  Note that "3rd Annual All Pro Dragster Championships” and “Beach City Chevrolet Hi-Performance Div” are displayed in orange on the front and rear sides respectively.  Also notice that they have removed the bottom portion of the original door sticker.   It looks like it is an RS/SS 350 and that it is wearing Uniroyal tires.

Memories of OCIR Facebook page

[SMKZ28]

Beach City Chevrolet was located in Long Beach, California which was approximately 35 miles away from OCIR.  I could find very little information on the dealership.

License plate surround: worthpoint.com
Ad in Long Beach telephone directory: https://www.longbeach.gov/library/digital-library/

[SMKZ28]

Beach City Chevrolet did sponsor a couple of dragsters in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  One was this C3 Corvette.

Notice in the copy of this hero card that it says, "...if your interested, ask about the 'Beach City 454 Camaro'."  Has anyone heard of this vehicle?  Were any produced?  Since the 1969 Camaro had a prolonged model year could they have installed this engine in a 1969 model year Camaro or was it in a 2nd generation car?  I could not find any information on a Beach City 454 Camaro.

worthpoint.com
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/152009-amts-speed-custom-division/

[SMKZ28]

I do know that the C3 Corvette dragster was destroyed by a fire at OCIR in 1970.

public.photki.com

[SMKZ28]

The C3 Corvette was replaced by a second generation Camaro dragster.

public.fotki.com

[SMKZ28]

Here is a photo of a 1969 Camaro Z28 loaded down with passengers with a decal on the door that states, "Beach City Chevrolet."  It was taken at Lions Dragway in Los Angeles, California not OCIR.  Not sure what the item is on the passenger door.  Does anyone know that it is?  It also looks like the trunk lid is open.

worthpoint.com

[SMKZ28]

Here are a couple of the souvenir event programs for July 1969 events held at OCIR but neither of them specifically say anything about "3rd Annual All Pro Dragster Championships."  Perhaps it happened on a different weekend??

1) July 5th 1969 event
2) July 26th 1969 event

worthpoint.com