Atco is done - Page 3

427FE · 07-19-2023, 07:07 AM

Im sure the owner had a fire under his *** to sell after being shot down a few years ago to have IAA (the same company who is leasing ETown) move in. RIP Atco

dragracerray · 07-19-2023, 07:26 AM

Maybe I am naive. Chances are that who ever sold (assuming it was not an investment company) made a good profit on the sale. If there is racing in your blood and you just sold why not look for more property in the country (ie low cost per acre) and start over? I realize that might be impossible in NJ but it is not impossible in other states. When all these tracks were built in the 50's and 60's they were built out in the country and did not bother anyone and now one was looking to buy the property to develop it.
I loved Englishtown and I really enjoyed Atco. NJ is a great place to race. NJ has some of the best air in the world. I will miss Atco Ray

Eric Merryfield · 07-19-2023, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

More like an influx of communism over the last 3 years that created high costs and killed local businesses.

Maybe, but this does expose a glaring weakness in the NHRA track contract agreements, the NHRA should have a clause in there to protect the racers and employees at the track from a sale and immediate close......ie its ok to sell the business, but you MUST complete the season or you will get SUED by the NHRA, who would ask for an immediate injunction to stop the closing.

Perhaps the NHRA has such a clause and their legal team of pit bulls is allready straining at the leash.........Bobby, maybe you could inquire this question to them as part of your podcast........

Eric

Eric Merryfield · 07-19-2023, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDA Hemi

What happens with the divisional in 3 weeks?

Maybe the NHRA can save the day.......If they can it would be a track wake, and I think racers knowing it was the last divisional for the track would flood the place, I'd certainly have to bring the Gremlin, as the late Ed Fernadez won that race, it would only be fitting be have it go down the track one last time.

Eric

Signman · 07-19-2023, 08:53 AM

Here's the opportunity for NJ Motorsports park to expand to drag racing. There was talk about this the last go round with closing ATCO so here ya go. Also US13 to come back to NHRA and 1/4 mile drag racing. Hoe about those tracks in Maryland??? Believe Capitol is open as test and tune and grudge events.....

1347 · 07-19-2023, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGSST109E

We did have a double at VMP one year

Doubles only work when there is no rain. They sound great when they schedule them, but we get rain almost every race here in D1.

I see Cecil only has a test and tune the weekend of the Atco Divisional. Maybe D1 will reach out to the Halsey family and see if that could work.

1347 · 07-19-2023, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Merryfield

Maybe the NHRA can save the day.......If they can it would be a track wake, and I think racers knowing it was the last divisional for the track would flood the place, I'd certainly have to bring the Gremlin, as the late Ed Fernadez won that race, it would only be fitting be have it go down the track one last time.

Eric

Fazio metals already have the grandstands on their website and it says they must be removed immediately

B Parker · 07-19-2023, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1347

Doubles only work when there is no rain. They sound great when they schedule them, but we get rain almost every race here in D1.

I see Cecil only has a test and tune the weekend of the Atco Divisional. Maybe D1 will reach out to the Halsey family and see if that could work.

Duane Racing only works if there is no rain. I'm still in at Epping Nationals Only one race with rain.
Numedia Divisional would have been run the same way on Saturday because of the expected rain on Sunday even if it was only one race.

At least with a double you get the chance of getting one of the races in with a bad forecast for a day. Rain has been tough to deal with but so is $4.00 plus diesel cost and tolls.

Take a look at Lebanon Valley's attempt several times to run an open. One race even with good weather it's been a bust and a money loser for the track. How do you think it would have done if the Open was on Thursday and Friday and the Divisional was on Saturday and Sunday. Don't get how this was not the way it was run but now no more Opens at the Valley. I bet they would have had some of the best car counts at that track'

One tow with a chance of getting 2 races in is better than one tow and you know it's only 1 race and rain can play just as much of a part of not getting it in as with 2.

Dave Gantz · 07-19-2023, 10:28 AM

I always figured this place:https://njmp.com/?utm_source=google&...saAnzgEALw_wcB didn't build a dragstrip because of the other's in the area (Atco was the closest), but maybe, just maybe...

B Parker · 07-19-2023, 10:40 AM

Virginia is a long tow if your coming from the New England area. It would make a lot more sense to make that the double. I know a of lot you guys from the Jersy, Pa area like the races in your backyard and don't want to travel hours to a race. Welcome to the of world of the racers that live in New England. BP

Flame away but first take a look at the participation at the Epping Nationals and Divisionals for the last several years.

07-19-2023, 07:07 AM	#21
427FE Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Monroe Twsp, NJ Posts: 192 Likes: 260 Liked 348 Times in 79 Posts	Re: Atco is done Im sure the owner had a fire under his *** to sell after being shot down a few years ago to have IAA (the same company who is leasing ETown) move in. RIP Atco __________________ Pat Clemente #1427 B/S

07-19-2023, 07:26 AM	#22
dragracerray Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Webster, New York Posts: 218 Likes: 470 Liked 208 Times in 89 Posts	Re: Atco is done Maybe I am naive. Chances are that who ever sold (assuming it was not an investment company) made a good profit on the sale. If there is racing in your blood and you just sold why not look for more property in the country (ie low cost per acre) and start over? I realize that might be impossible in NJ but it is not impossible in other states. When all these tracks were built in the 50's and 60's they were built out in the country and did not bother anyone and now one was looking to buy the property to develop it. I loved Englishtown and I really enjoyed Atco. NJ is a great place to race. NJ has some of the best air in the world. I will miss Atco Ray __________________ Ray Bassett I/SA 1687, SS/DA 1687 "SuperPro is both", unknown

07-19-2023, 08:53 AM	#25
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Atco is done Here's the opportunity for NJ Motorsports park to expand to drag racing. There was talk about this the last go round with closing ATCO so here ya go. Also US13 to come back to NHRA and 1/4 mile drag racing. Hoe about those tracks in Maryland??? Believe Capitol is open as test and tune and grudge events..... __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"

07-19-2023, 10:28 AM	#29
Dave Gantz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Verrry South Jersey Posts: 537 Likes: 134 Liked 251 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Atco is done I always figured this place:https://njmp.com/?utm_source=google&...saAnzgEALw_wcB didn't build a dragstrip because of the other's in the area (Atco was the closest), but maybe, just maybe...

07-19-2023, 10:40 AM	#30
B Parker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 849 Likes: 980 Liked 2,336 Times in 464 Posts	Re: Atco is done Virginia is a long tow if your coming from the New England area. It would make a lot more sense to make that the double. I know a of lot you guys from the Jersy, Pa area like the races in your backyard and don't want to travel hours to a race. Welcome to the of world of the racers that live in New England. BP Flame away but first take a look at the participation at the Epping Nationals and Divisionals for the last several years. Last edited by B Parker; 07-19-2023 at 05:56 PM.