If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? - Page 7

bigshow2966 · 02-02-2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegrassx

US30, only because I remember the great old radio ads and wished I lived close to see al the great events there.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSmokin' US 30 Dragstrip! Where the great ones RUN! RUN! RUN!

First track I ever went down.

Paul Precht · 02-02-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-02-2011, 12:28 PM

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 · 02-02-2011, 12:39 PM

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

Bret Kepner · 02-02-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey Miles

A little bit of trivia, West Hampton raceway was the first purposely built dragstrip in the country.

Not even close. Sorry.

Paul Precht · 02-02-2011, 01:37 PM

The best part of racing at Hampton was stopping at this place down the road for dinner and drinks http://www.thebarandpubweb.com/trianglepub.html

Isaac Zane · 02-02-2011, 01:46 PM

I was fortunate enough to attend a race with my uncle at York US 30!! Got to race the Opel at Strato Rods.. My vote will go to Vineland Speedway, 15 minutes from the house. When I went to Cumberland Co. College, a number of years ago, I'd take my lunch break (off classes) at the speedway. Riding around imagining.....
The track is still visable via google sat. maps of Orchard and Delsea Dr. Vineland.

See if this works. http://tinyurl.com/4jou5e8

Rich Biebel · 02-02-2011, 02:10 PM

York.......far and away my favorite track from my YUTE...
Raced there a few times and saw some wild cars "back in the day"
some of them...
Turbonique powered Mustang.....jet? engine in the trunk
First flip top funny car......Ed Schartman....Injected on Nitro....no blowers yet..
Early attempts at wheelstanders...now that was pretty crazy..
Match racing Pro Stockers before there was a Pro Stock class...

Airplanes landing when the little red light starts flashing......

A huge facility and in the most beautiful countryside you could imagine.....out there in Pa......

Stayed in Gettysburg for the first Summernationals and still recall seeing the grave markers for as far as the eye could see.....and the battlefields....

Ed Fernandez · 02-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

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 · 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, 12:28 PM	#63
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 238 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? 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. __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

02-02-2011, 12:39 PM	#64
justme Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? westhamption! [LID] 47miles door to door! no tolls no staten island to deal with!

02-02-2011, 01:37 PM	#66
Paul Precht Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Elysburg, Pa Posts: 730 Likes: 353 Liked 309 Times in 118 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? The best part of racing at Hampton was stopping at this place down the road for dinner and drinks http://www.thebarandpubweb.com/trianglepub.html

02-02-2011, 01:46 PM	#67
Isaac Zane Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 361 Likes: 391 Liked 50 Times in 14 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? I was fortunate enough to attend a race with my uncle at York US 30!! Got to race the Opel at Strato Rods.. My vote will go to Vineland Speedway, 15 minutes from the house. When I went to Cumberland Co. College, a number of years ago, I'd take my lunch break (off classes) at the speedway. Riding around imagining..... The track is still visable via google sat. maps of Orchard and Delsea Dr. Vineland. See if this works. http://tinyurl.com/4jou5e8 __________________ Isaac Zane STK 1237 J/SA Buick Apollo Patriot Guard Rider DOOF 43

02-02-2011, 02:10 PM	#68
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? York.......far and away my favorite track from my YUTE... Raced there a few times and saw some wild cars "back in the day" some of them... Turbonique powered Mustang.....jet? engine in the trunk First flip top funny car......Ed Schartman....Injected on Nitro....no blowers yet.. Early attempts at wheelstanders...now that was pretty crazy.. Match racing Pro Stockers before there was a Pro Stock class... Airplanes landing when the little red light starts flashing...... A huge facility and in the most beautiful countryside you could imagine.....out there in Pa...... Stayed in Gettysburg for the first Summernationals and still recall seeing the grave markers for as far as the eye could see.....and the battlefields.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

02-02-2011, 04:46 PM	#70
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 703 Likes: 127 Liked 488 Times in 90 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?