Event Coverage 75+80 Dragway set to reopen!

[rc.grimes]

I don't know how many have already heard the details on this but I have been working there(80 hours of welding and counting) during spare time and this has been my first chance to post details. As many locals remember that track was a part of hot rodding history for the area. My mom taught me to race there. I taught her how to "not" blow the clutch in my car there. I am thrilled to know that my kids will now be able to have fun there as well.
I pasted a link from the local newspaper.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/02162...57_32475.shtml

[NRchopshop]

Today before the roundy round race, Pops and I rode out to the track while i was down that way.

Its happening. Theres a lot of work to be done to make the Apr 3rd opening date


Photos from this afternoon

[41hemi]

That's good news! I hope it is true. I drag raced my 41 Chevy there back in the early seventies when I had a 283/4speed in it. The last time I raced there was the last Friday test/tune they had in 2005. Raced my wife's new Dodge Magnum Hemi that night . I would consider it my "home" track.

[rc.grimes]

The crew that will be managing the track are as excited as hormone driven teenagers on prom night. The big difference is the town is rallying behind opening the track. Alot of people have donated time(myself included) to help meet the April start date.

[Troublemaker427]

I went by there today. Things are looking good!! I can't wait....

[46mopar]

Man this is going to be great. I was bumed not to be at the last race. I was even more bumed everytime I saw the old track on Motorweek. I will be there for the reopening racing anything that I can drag down there.

[straightaxle65]

Thats Great News!! Its always good to save a track rather than tear it up for a strip mall.

Why did it shutdown in the first place? was it a case of the old" I built a house next to the artillary range and now I'm starting a petition to outlaw Howitzers" sindrome?

[rc.grimes]

Racing hell. I was happy to be there working on the place knowing what it means to so many people. I'm pulling triple duty working a new fulltime gig and helping out there(the track) and trying to get my car done at the same time.

[rc.grimes]

Originally Posted by straightaxle65

Thats Great News!! Its always good to save a track rather than tear it up for a strip mall.

Why did it shutdown in the first place? was it a case of the old" I built a house next to the artillary range and now I'm starting a petition to outlaw Howitzers" sindrome?

The family sold the track several years ago. The new owner kept it open for a few more years under an agreement until the close in 05 to develop the land. Combination or bad economy and neighbors not wanting new houses(as well as the traffic) helped push the approval to reopen.

[NRchopshop]

That area definitely can NOT handle the traffic from housing. Look at the mess down the road in Urbana. Support the farms or watch the houses grow

[46mopar]

Is the opening day set as April 3rd?

[rc.grimes]

Originally Posted by 46mopar

Is the opening day set as April 4th?

4pm Friday April 3rd according to the newspaper and a few people managing the track.

[skwurl]

That was the roughest track I ever ran on. V street was nicer than that place. I hopr it turns out nice. It was a neat old place.

[BadNewsSS]

Originally Posted by rc.grimes

The family sold the track several years ago. The new owner kept it open for a few more years under an agreement until the close in 05 to develop the land. Combination or bad economy and neighbors not wanting new houses(as well as the traffic) helped push the approval to reopen.

The land was never sold. A quick look at public tax records will show that. The land is being leased by the stanleys I believe.

[lothiandon1940]

Originally Posted by skwurl

That was the roughest track I ever ran on. V street was nicer than that place. I hopr it turns out nice. It was a neat old place.

Wow, How many on here remember racing on V Street? Probably the same ones who raced on 295 by Blue Plains or George Palmer Hwy.(now MLKing Blvd.) under Rt.50. Best of good luck w/ the "new" 75-80 Dragstrip.

[rc.grimes]

Originally Posted by BadNewsSS

The land was never sold. A quick look at public tax records will show that. The land is being leased by the stanleys I believe.

I know the permits to run the track had to change names which sounds like it was sold. Every news article since before it closed has said it was sold. The people managing the track are ones who used to work there before it was "sold". Regardless of it it was sold several years ago or not I'm happy and hopefully several others are as well that it is reopening.

[rc.grimes]

Originally Posted by lothiandon1940

Wow, How many on here remember racing on V Street? Probably the same ones who raced on 295 by Blue Plains or George Palmer Hwy.(now MLKing Blvd.) under Rt.50. Best of good luck w/ the "new" 75-80 Dragstrip.

Nope. Don't remember anything about illeagel street racing on V street or metro and especially on MLK! Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

[oj]

rc, was that your dad that i recall many years ago coming back from NY in his blown t-bucket, pulling into 75-80, unhooking the trailor and pulling on an old leather helmet and uncorking a high 7ish run then hooking back up and continuing on his way?
Glad to see this track reopen and the support for it is something to witness, Camp is doing this isn't he?

[tommy]

Originally Posted by lothiandon1940

Wow, How many on here remember racing on V Street? Probably the same ones who raced on 295 by Blue Plains or George Palmer Hwy.(now MLKing Blvd.) under Rt.50. Best of good luck w/ the "new" 75-80 Dragstrip.

I do I do

Anybody remember 75&dusty before the Jersey walls were there? When a Chevy II lost it and disappeared into what was then a corn field on the right? All you could see was the mowed down hole in the corn where it went in.

You forgot to mention racing in front of NASA...The Goddard Space Flight Center.

The local rumors that I have heard are that it will now be 1/8 mile. I hope that is not true but anything is better than nothing. Again just word of mouth.

[Little Wing]

Very Cool