New England Dragway in Jeopardy

SSDA Hemi · 11-22-2021, 09:29 PM

Bob Don · 11-22-2021, 10:38 PM

I heard this through the grapevine today. What a huge blow it would be to the racing community in the New England area if the track were to cease to exist. We can only hope...

I linked one of the petitions here:

https://www.change.org/p/the-racers-...FiM2RmYQ%3D%3D

SSDA Hemi · 11-23-2021, 08:14 AM

Yes, I saw petitions circulating that were asking for a signature. Based off the info I posted above, the decision comes down to the board holders and the selling price.

Sadly the problem is the racetracks no longer need NHRA with the value and location of the properties. NHRA does need the racetracks....

Ray Gottry · 11-23-2021, 08:48 AM

I have won 2 races since I started bracket racing in 1979. The first came while in the Navy and stationed in Jacksonville Florida at Jax Raceways (Pecan Park) in April of 1982. The second win came after being stationed in Brunswick, Maine and towing to New England Dragway in May of 1982. I was stationed in Maine from '82 to '86 and then again in '90 to '93. I raced NED a lot and had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends while stationed in the Northeast. Hope the track stays around for a long time, but money talks sometimes.

jmcarter · 11-23-2021, 10:06 AM

Makes you wonder about the viability of other tracks being sold for other uses. With Englishtown, Moroso, Atlanta etc. already lost and others narrowly dodging a bullet it should provide even more motivation to support our tracks in every way possible. I can think of several other tracks that may be at risk and fully intend to support them if possible, even if only in a street car in the Sportsman brackets.

Frank Castros · 11-23-2021, 11:07 AM

Ray,
Money talks all the time.

Bandit 1 · 11-23-2021, 12:36 PM

A couple thoughts on this subject come to mind....

1. Supporting our local tracks is even more important than ever. Need to take the good with the bad no matter the case. I am sure we all have had the bad experiences which overshadow the good so it seems. Even the outlaw unsanctioned tracks need support. Motorsports in general needs to look out for one another. You might not like the No Prep and N/T crowd, but they are just like all of us in some way. Point is this problem of tracks going away will continue. We as the customers can slow the process by realizing this could all be gone at some point.

2. Think about it this way... they are not making anymore land these days. So the land these tracks are on are more valuable by the day. Couple that with the next generation of business taking shape. That certainly spells the end for some tracks.

Total random thoughts, but I am sure we all have thought these points.

Rant over....

Thanks,

rboyle · 11-23-2021, 01:23 PM

Unfortunately most of us really do not support our tracks to the extent we think we do. Sure we go to the divisional or national event and pay our entry or crew entry. That is where most of us stop. Test n Tune at divisionals is a good money maker for the track. Concession stands and souvenir stands usually are pretty much without lines. We eat put, bring our own and bbq or eat what we brought. My point is, buy a tshirt or 2 buy some concession stand food, race the tnt. Every little bit helps.
Hope we don't lose NED it's one of my favorite races and tracks.

dean ribeiro · 11-23-2021, 07:48 PM

While most young kids were attending church on Sunday, I was playing with Corgi Cars in the dirt at NED (blame my dad for all of my vices)

Fast forward, I began racing there (before I had street car) and have never looked back! I have always considered it my home track and one of the best in the country. The last 25 years, I have lived 16 miles from New England Dragway and can, often, be found at the track rental on Wednesdays. The track/facility and staff have always been helpful and supportive. Many of my closest friendships have been carved out while at this facility. Like many, I pray that this legendary track does not become just a memory!

Don Eckel 111 · 11-23-2021, 09:51 PM

Supporting the tracks is obviously one of the things that will contribute to their success. But I think that we need to take a long hard look at a problem that seems to be passed over. There are many places that are sought for warehouse space and if the rumors are true, NED is one of them. It is our penchant for cheap Chinese goods going to Amazon, Walmart, Harbor Freight, and a host of other resellers has these warehouses being built on what seems like every open plot of land here in the Northeast. There have been 5 built in my town alone in the last 5 years. In my opinion, until the public and our politicians make a concerted effort to reduce this, nothing will change. We will continue to lose not only tracks but other places of recreation. If you don't believe the massive amounts of imports to be part of the problem, ask yourself why a warehouse developer would pay 3-4 times more than the property is valued at.

11-22-2021, 09:29 PM	#1
SSDA Hemi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 503 Likes: 130 Liked 451 Times in 77 Posts	New England Dragway in Jeopardy

11-22-2021, 10:38 PM	#2
Bob Don VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 1,496 Likes: 1,131 Liked 902 Times in 192 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy I heard this through the grapevine today. What a huge blow it would be to the racing community in the New England area if the track were to cease to exist. We can only hope... I linked one of the petitions here: https://www.change.org/p/the-racers-...FiM2RmYQ%3D%3D __________________ Bob Don 128 SS Last edited by Bob Don; 11-23-2021 at 08:29 AM.

11-23-2021, 08:14 AM	#3
SSDA Hemi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 503 Likes: 130 Liked 451 Times in 77 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy Yes, I saw petitions circulating that were asking for a signature. Based off the info I posted above, the decision comes down to the board holders and the selling price. Sadly the problem is the racetracks no longer need NHRA with the value and location of the properties. NHRA does need the racetracks....

11-23-2021, 08:48 AM	#4
Ray Gottry Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Lake City, Fl. Posts: 61 Likes: 104 Liked 68 Times in 24 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy I have won 2 races since I started bracket racing in 1979. The first came while in the Navy and stationed in Jacksonville Florida at Jax Raceways (Pecan Park) in April of 1982. The second win came after being stationed in Brunswick, Maine and towing to New England Dragway in May of 1982. I was stationed in Maine from '82 to '86 and then again in '90 to '93. I raced NED a lot and had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends while stationed in the Northeast. Hope the track stays around for a long time, but money talks sometimes.

11-23-2021, 10:06 AM	#5
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,297 Likes: 2,383 Liked 3,184 Times in 973 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy Makes you wonder about the viability of other tracks being sold for other uses. With Englishtown, Moroso, Atlanta etc. already lost and others narrowly dodging a bullet it should provide even more motivation to support our tracks in every way possible. I can think of several other tracks that may be at risk and fully intend to support them if possible, even if only in a street car in the Sportsman brackets. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

11-23-2021, 11:07 AM	#6
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,975 Likes: 2,599 Liked 2,727 Times in 961 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy Ray, Money talks all the time.

11-23-2021, 12:36 PM	#7
Bandit 1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 34 Likes: 1 Liked 24 Times in 16 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy A couple thoughts on this subject come to mind.... 1. Supporting our local tracks is even more important than ever. Need to take the good with the bad no matter the case. I am sure we all have had the bad experiences which overshadow the good so it seems. Even the outlaw unsanctioned tracks need support. Motorsports in general needs to look out for one another. You might not like the No Prep and N/T crowd, but they are just like all of us in some way. Point is this problem of tracks going away will continue. We as the customers can slow the process by realizing this could all be gone at some point. 2. Think about it this way... they are not making anymore land these days. So the land these tracks are on are more valuable by the day. Couple that with the next generation of business taking shape. That certainly spells the end for some tracks. Total random thoughts, but I am sure we all have thought these points. Rant over.... Thanks,

11-23-2021, 01:23 PM	#8
rboyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 604 Likes: 1,454 Liked 586 Times in 162 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy Unfortunately most of us really do not support our tracks to the extent we think we do. Sure we go to the divisional or national event and pay our entry or crew entry. That is where most of us stop. Test n Tune at divisionals is a good money maker for the track. Concession stands and souvenir stands usually are pretty much without lines. We eat put, bring our own and bbq or eat what we brought. My point is, buy a tshirt or 2 buy some concession stand food, race the tnt. Every little bit helps. Hope we don't lose NED it's one of my favorite races and tracks.

11-23-2021, 07:48 PM	#9
dean ribeiro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: candia, nh Posts: 519 Likes: 58 Liked 237 Times in 77 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy While most young kids were attending church on Sunday, I was playing with Corgi Cars in the dirt at NED (blame my dad for all of my vices) Fast forward, I began racing there (before I had street car) and have never looked back! I have always considered it my home track and one of the best in the country. The last 25 years, I have lived 16 miles from New England Dragway and can, often, be found at the track rental on Wednesdays. The track/facility and staff have always been helpful and supportive. Many of my closest friendships have been carved out while at this facility. Like many, I pray that this legendary track does not become just a memory!

11-23-2021, 09:51 PM	#10
Don Eckel 111 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 78 Likes: 10 Liked 91 Times in 15 Posts	Re: New England Dragway in Jeopardy Supporting the tracks is obviously one of the things that will contribute to their success. But I think that we need to take a long hard look at a problem that seems to be passed over. There are many places that are sought for warehouse space and if the rumors are true, NED is one of them. It is our penchant for cheap Chinese goods going to Amazon, Walmart, Harbor Freight, and a host of other resellers has these warehouses being built on what seems like every open plot of land here in the Northeast. There have been 5 built in my town alone in the last 5 years. In my opinion, until the public and our politicians make a concerted effort to reduce this, nothing will change. We will continue to lose not only tracks but other places of recreation. If you don't believe the massive amounts of imports to be part of the problem, ask yourself why a warehouse developer would pay 3-4 times more than the property is valued at. __________________ Don Eckel 1985 COMP