CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post - If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track?

Casey Miles · 02-02-2011, 04:46 PM

OK Bret, what track was built for dragracing that wasn't a converted airport before West Hampton Dragway? West Hamton, I believe was built somewhere around 1953.

"Originally opened as Westhampton Raceway in 1953 as a dirt drag strip, Long Island Motorsports Park is the longest, continuously operating, purpose-built drag strip in the United States. At the time, all other drag strips were abandoned air fields or little used back or farm roads. In 1955, the track was paved with asphalt with a dirt shutdown area. A paved shutdown area was completed in the middle to late 1950's. The track remained relatively unchanged through the 1960's and 1970's, other than the addition of the Christmas Tree and Chrondek timing system and a temporary name change to Suffolk County Raceway for a few years around 1971 or 1972. In the early 1980's, it was known as Hampton Raceway. In 1991, the track changed hands. New were four buildings (timing tower, 2 concession stands and rest rooms). New grandstands were added on the spectator side. Also, the soundwalls were built, new signage, fencing and entrance signs were added. It was called Long Island Dragway. The racing surface was repaved in 1993. In 1996, it was renamed again to Long Island Motorsports Park, as it remains until today."

Casey Miles
248H Stock?

02-02-2011, 04:46 PM	#5
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 704 Likes: 128 Liked 499 Times in 91 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? OK Bret, what track was built for dragracing that wasn't a converted airport before West Hampton Dragway? West Hamton, I believe was built somewhere around 1953. "Originally opened as Westhampton Raceway in 1953 as a dirt drag strip, Long Island Motorsports Park is the longest, continuously operating, purpose-built drag strip in the United States. At the time, all other drag strips were abandoned air fields or little used back or farm roads. In 1955, the track was paved with asphalt with a dirt shutdown area. A paved shutdown area was completed in the middle to late 1950's. The track remained relatively unchanged through the 1960's and 1970's, other than the addition of the Christmas Tree and Chrondek timing system and a temporary name change to Suffolk County Raceway for a few years around 1971 or 1972. In the early 1980's, it was known as Hampton Raceway. In 1991, the track changed hands. New were four buildings (timing tower, 2 concession stands and rest rooms). New grandstands were added on the spectator side. Also, the soundwalls were built, new signage, fencing and entrance signs were added. It was called Long Island Dragway. The racing surface was repaved in 1993. In 1996, it was renamed again to Long Island Motorsports Park, as it remains until today." Casey Miles 248H Stock?