[citation needed] In 1994 the East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) began land speed racing at what became known as the "Maxton Mile".

The ECTA was formed by two Bonneville racers, Tom Sarda and John Beckett, with the idea of providing its members with a place to run speed trials in the eastern half of the United States.

It had a mostly concrete surface with greater traction than the slick salt of Bonneville, and it produced similar speeds to the SCTA sanctioned El Mirage.

The ECTA held its first time trials at Maxton in 1994 and for 14 years constantly improved the runway, eventually repaving almost 40% of the mile.

The airport authority had leased half of the runway to the Gryphon Group, a para-military anti-terrorist training center.