If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track?

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?

Dwight Southerland · 02-02-2011, 07:21 PM

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

02-02-2011, 09:36 PM

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 · 02-03-2011, 02:44 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-03-2011, 08:28 AM

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 · 02-03-2011, 11:49 AM

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.

Casey Miles · 02-03-2011, 12:08 PM

Carl: Everyone I know who raced on Long Island is missing West Hampton, grudge races where the best there with more money changing hands then at a NHRA national event. You could always count on having someone wanting to race anyone for the right amount of money or just go up to the stands and bet with the crowd. I personally wasn't a big fan of National Speedway, but I still miss it just the same.
Casey Miles
248H Stock?

Bret Kepner · 02-03-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I understand, Casey. There were plenty of 'em prior to Westhampton, though. As some folks know, I've spent decades researching and verifying this stuff and I meant no personal affront. Most of the facts have become myth by lack of verification; there are about eight tracks which claim to be the first purpose-built facility and all of 'em are incorrect. You'd be stunned how many tracks, specific and airfield on either side of the Mississippi, were in operation between '50 and '53.

Casey Miles · 02-03-2011, 04:17 PM

Bret: I understand what you are saying, I'm sure there are other dragstrips built around that time and there was no internet at that time to say who built the first one. But here is my beef with the owners of West Hampton raceway, they could have declared it a historic site before allowing the politicians to close it up. It closed do to noise ordinance laws that a lawn mower couldn't pass. The time frame that they had to race in was 10 am to 6pm, after 6 pm they got ticketed for noise. I'm sure that that is one of the reasons that the track closed because it couldn't make enough revenue in that short amount of time. Long Islander's didn't know what they lost until it was gone.

PS. How is your blood work?
Casey Miles
248H Stock?

02-02-2011, 04:46 PM	#2
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 706 Likes: 128 Liked 508 Times in 92 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?

02-02-2011, 07:21 PM	#3
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,002 Likes: 64 Liked 783 Times in 195 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? How about this bit of history :http://www.lakelandraceway.com/

02-02-2011, 09:36 PM	#4
Barry Polley Guest Posts: n/a	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? Vaca Valley Raceway, Vaca Ville Ca. I have some really good memories of that place. Jim McCombe was with Bill Taggert Sr. RIP Bill.

02-03-2011, 08:28 AM	#6
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 706 Likes: 128 Liked 508 Times in 92 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? 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?

02-03-2011, 11:49 AM	#7
Carl Juliano Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 296 Likes: 242 Liked 67 Times in 26 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? 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. __________________ Carl Juliano TS 1275 John Juliano SG 151 Carl Sr.

02-03-2011, 12:08 PM	#8
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 706 Likes: 128 Liked 508 Times in 92 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? Carl: Everyone I know who raced on Long Island is missing West Hampton, grudge races where the best there with more money changing hands then at a NHRA national event. You could always count on having someone wanting to race anyone for the right amount of money or just go up to the stands and bet with the crowd. I personally wasn't a big fan of National Speedway, but I still miss it just the same. Casey Miles 248H Stock?

02-03-2011, 04:17 PM	#10
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 706 Likes: 128 Liked 508 Times in 92 Posts	Re: If You Could Race At 1 Historic Closed Track? Bret: I understand what you are saying, I'm sure there are other dragstrips built around that time and there was no internet at that time to say who built the first one. But here is my beef with the owners of West Hampton raceway, they could have declared it a historic site before allowing the politicians to close it up. It closed do to noise ordinance laws that a lawn mower couldn't pass. The time frame that they had to race in was 10 am to 6pm, after 6 pm they got ticketed for noise. I'm sure that that is one of the reasons that the track closed because it couldn't make enough revenue in that short amount of time. Long Islander's didn't know what they lost until it was gone. PS. How is your blood work? Casey Miles 248H Stock?