If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track?

[Paul Precht]

Originally Posted by Casey Miles

A little bit of trivia, West Hampton raceway was the first purposely built dragstrip in the country. It wasn't an old airport converted to a dragstrip, it was just a racing facility. It's a shame for the people of Long Island that that track got closed because of political pressure and an a$$hole who ended up putting it under.

Casey Miles
248H Stock?

Hampton Raceway was the place for me. I wish we had youtube's of some of the characters that raced and worked there. National would have been great if it wasn't for Ed A&&H#@$ Eaton

[Bob Pagano]

Amarillo Dragway, now an IHRA track but back in 73 I got the invitation and free entry paperwork for the World Finials. Black death cost me as the final div 1 points meet was the week before at Atco, with not enough time to fix and travel I did not go and I have always regretted it.

[justme]

westhamption! [LID] 47miles door to door! no tolls no staten island to deal with!

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Paul Precht

Hampton Raceway was the place for me. I wish we had youtube's of some of the characters that raced and worked there. National would have been great if it wasn't for Ed A&&H#@$ Eaton

Paul,do you remember the stories about the evil "Red light button"?

[Casey Miles]

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?

[Dwight Southerland]

How about this bit of history :http://www.lakelandraceway.com/

Vaca Valley Raceway, Vaca Ville Ca. I have some really good memories of that place. Jim McCombe was with Bill Taggert Sr. RIP Bill.

[Bret Kepner]

Originally Posted by Casey Miles

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

At last count, almost two dozen of 'em beginning in '51.

[Casey Miles]

Bret: I wasn't saying that it was the first dragstrip in the country, but the first "purpose" built dragstrip, not a converted airport or roadway.
Casey Miles
248H Stock?

[Carl Juliano]

I really wish I could have raced at N.Y. National Speedway. It closed when I was 13. I spent my childhood at that track watching dad race. I started driving at Westhampton Dragway. The two tracks were like 15-20min apart, and if you lost 1st rnd at National, you could hook up and go to Westhampton and get in to make 1st rnd over there!. I miss those days.