Island Dragway is done
 

I just saw this on another site. From what I heard, some EPA issues and 1970s era buried oil drums started to leak into the stream. Can someone confirm this to be 100% true? That's the place that I did my first 1/4 mile trip back in the late 60s.

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...3&Main=7493185

Ken Kopecky
1454 E/SA

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Very sad, a neat place to race. A small piece of racing history.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Happy to say that I went there to a Div1 open, good time, hate to see any track close. Hope it gets reopened

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Unpaid Taxes......Septic issues......is what I have been told....and also that there are some people trying to find a solution ......BUT that might be just wishfull thinking.....

Never heard anything about buried anything......but that is certianly always a possible issue......

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Very sad news.
Lots of good memories from there!

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Real sorry to hear about Island closing. The only time I won Stock Eliminator was at Island, in June of 72. I was going to go by there back in October but ended up cancelling the whole trip.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

It has been removed from the Member track directory, but nothing on the D1 website itself:

http://nhradiv1.com/state.asp?TrackStateID=28&Div=1

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Made my very first pass down the 1/4 mile at the Patch in 1973. Very sad news...................and I thought California was the only state that had racetrack issues.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

My one & only visit there was in 1982. The Shelby American club convention was held at the Great Gorge resort - former Playboy Club we were told. They held an open t&t there for club members. Everyone thought it was cool that we drag raced a real Shelby GT500...great memories of that trip.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Jimmy Hoffa?

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

[QUOTE=Rich Biebel;360331]Unpaid Taxes......Septic issues......is what I have been told....and also that there are some people trying to find a solution ......BUT that might be just wishfull thinking...
Heard the same ,from a good source.The septic issue was a local problem they could have solved ,but the tax issue is supposedly Federal.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I am sure the federal government does not want to own a dragstrip and doubt that the place could be sold to anyone for just about anything other than possibly sod farms. The existing sod farms are already covering a huge swath of land and I seriously doubt that market is what it once was a few years ago....My understanding is that the present owner is willing to let it go into whatever process happens for unpaid back taxes......and I would guess this would include the home and barn building up on the hill......

Sure not a good way to end the families run of that property and I personally hope something is worked out.

Really sad to see a place I spent so much time at go down this route....and I sure hope someone can step in and turn it around....


Very doubtfull Jimmy Hoffa is buried there but there is definately parts and pieces from a lot of famous drag racers cars.....Don Garlits included.....as well as many others.....

I made my first run down that racetrack.....around 1965 or 1966.......and it was in my street driven '58 Pontiac......My legs were shaking I was so nervous and I remember it well....

Oh and Cousin Brucie......yes Bruce Morrow the DJ was there one day around that era and I was asked if I would let him drive my car so he could race Ed Kowalick.....the tracks owner... in a match race.......I said no.....I thought he would break it.....LOL They did race best 2 outta 3 and I think Ed won.....

I have zillions of stories from Island......

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

i too made my first pass there in 1974 in my brother chips 63 impala. we were there for the div. 1 car club meet.( remember those?) my bros. were racing joe delorenzos old 57 chevy in s/s.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Would love to see IHRA purchase Island...would make a great 1/8 mile track....Good Luck

joe mocci

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Yeah, then you don't have to worry about driving over the railroad track... Wait, the railroad's gone too.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Funny thing is I became an IHRA member back in 2000 based on the rumor that they were going IHRA and 1/8th mile. 12 years later...

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I would totally support a move like that.

They ran 1000' last year and it was fine.

I have run 1/8th mile there and if you drive a fairly fast dragster like I do....you feel a lot safer even at 1000'

They would really need to get rid of the "can opener guardrails".......I try not to look but if you get out of the groove a little and near one.....it's hard not to notice.....

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

It' a shame to loose Island .
With all its problems and quirks it was still a great place to go , at least while Mrs K was still alive.
Nothing like the smell of rotting cabbage and racing fuel!
I got my first Modified Production win there , and raced against future Pro Stock racers like Bob Benza ,when NHRA still had the D1 car club races there.
Saw Garlets and Ivo match race there with Ivo setting the metal fence and the entrance road on fire from a fire burnout !
The number of D1 Champions and standout racers who cut their teeth at Island is probably unequaled by any other track in the Division.
I havn't raced there in several years ,but it's sad to think we'll probably never get the chance to again.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I ran my first Points Race at Island------1967

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I started racing at Island in the '60's, untill 1985. Went back for a visit in 2006, and couldn't believe how many of the "old" cars and drivers were still there. Hank and Duke, also.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Wonder what it would take to buy the Track..?

D

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Obamamoney.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

OK....I 'll go there !!

What is wrong with Obamamoney if it saves a track??

Especially a Historical Track..!

D

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

This is a sad day. Island was a great little track and close to home.It's where I began bracket racing 15 years ago,and got my first win.We can only hope someone saves this place.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I live 23 miles from Island and really do not want to see anything happen to the track. I learned how to race there and have made thousands of runs down that track. Unfortunately, I have seen some things happen there over the years and the announcement of the closing does not surprise me.

Rumor has it (please remember I said this is a rumor) that the track is grandfathered in. A member of the Kowalick family would have to remain at least part owner of the facility for it to remain a drag strip. Chances of that working out well are slim.

Hopefully, something will happen that will save the track...

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

I knew that would get YOUR attention.That being said this poor facility has suffered more than one serious blow over the years,many self inflicted.We had a few opens there and all suffered from lack of participation due to apathy on the racers part and the fact that the management wasn't very racer friendly.
Personally I see the same thing coming for a well known NJ track that's lacked in the way of racer friendliness.But that's only my opinion,and you know what they say about opinions.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Interesting hmmm!

My experience..

Our ECIRS Series gets excellent attention and support from Island management.
We race there 4 times a year and two races each day.

Now we are lamenting the loss and trying to figure out what we are going to do next.
We are expanding out series allowing any year Impala and Plus Size GM body to race with us.
Later we have a huge Sper Heavy open races alllow CV/Merc and Dodges or any vehicle weighing 4000#.

The OTHER NJ Track.. that sounds like Etown...yeah we get an a feeling they are bit indifferent.

Heck one of the best racer tracks is Beaver Springs as Beaver Bob has a warm attitude with racers.

IMHO..along with Beaver Springs...Capitol Dragway, Mason Dixon have been very accomodating to the racers.

Just wish M/D and other tracks would fix up their rest rooms.
Too many have port-a-potty that are not serviced or restrooms that should be abandoned as hazzardous to your health.

The management of those tracks are definitely not thinking about women.
MIR has the best rest room facilities...looks like a sports facility.

My Wife refuses to go to the races because of the washroom facilities are miserable.

If drag racing wants to grow. ...the sport needs to have nice restroom facilities which will attract more female spectators and racers.

Dan



D

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

ed that other track at lest look like it making a turn for the better. and it is sad to see any track go. i know that we have it good hear in central nj in 2h i can be to 5 track and with in 4h you add 3 more.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

What's sad is that we don't have Vinny or Richard here anymore at the helm.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

It's probibly not worth the paper it's printed on would be my guess.

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Good enough to save the Banks and Detroit Iron...

D

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

That's SOME of the detroit iron, thank you very much.

Tax payer money that is too short to pay the bills you got now, and you would add a track to the list? Really?


Can't pay for groceries, but I'll order a new cell phone?

Wow....

Re: Island Dragway is done
 

Hey Guys...apart from the "how & why" of Island's closing...which really is irrevelent at this point...point being it's closed...truly sad time for my recollection of the "Cabbage Patch"...over all the years Ed & Kay Kowalik were awfully good to me/family...Hank Dinger longtime announcer as well..booked in there many times in the early funny car days...some great memories...believe it or not...even later years...Tony DeMarky & Kathy were a-ok to us...the track...facility...was/is...what it is...'eh...then...and now..."key" is...for tri-state drag racers...yet one more...a "memory"...we lived there for 58 plus years...it sure wasn't gettin' any easier to participate 5 years ago...(travel/expense wise)...in Carolina (Mooresville) we have 5-6 tracks within 5-45 minutes...they all race at least couple times a week (9-10months a year)...no curfew (s)...no tolls...U...get the idea...our heart will always be in tri-state for sure...and sadly do believe in forseeable "future"...yet another NJ track...going away for all previously mentioned "reasons"...Drake p.s. some truly "bad joses" (racers)...who went on to big success...raced there regularly in the "day"...old friend (super crew chief/many time NHRA World Champion) Tim Richards...then of Dunmore PA...who remembers his Hemi/Superbird Super Stock???!!!***....just one of many "top dawgs"....who made many "laps" there