21 replies to this topic

[Joe Mig]

Long Island has a long history of auto racing but sadly enough there is only one track left and that is River Head Speed Way a 1/4 mile oval and that is it.
We are trying to change that and want a motor sports complex with land that is now available.
You all could help us out by casting your vote on a poll at .
http://libn.com/blog.../#comment-63402
Your help is appreciated
Thank you Joe Mig

[Uncle Fred]

Joe, I remember when there were 4 dragstrips on LI including a 1/8 mile track in the parking lot at Roosevelt Raceway. Oval tracks in Freeport and Islip as well as Riverhead. Access is the problem on the island...........followed by brutal traffic after the race. As an aside, I think that after Katrina, the riches country in the world, should have rebuilt New Orleans as our answer to Abu Dabi with an F1 circuit to rival the best in the world...........

[Joe Mig]

That would have been the right thing to do but we are concentrating on LI here.
Thanks for the reply.

[Hworth08]

Fred,

When you actually stand in the districts in New Orleans that were so badly flooded you can see anchored ships sitting above you. The low districts are below both sea level and the Mississippi River.

The U.S. is the richest country in the world but also carries the greatest debt. Maybe not wise to use federal dollars to build a race track on the bottom of a swamp.

[havlicek]

I think it's a great idea Joe, but Riverhead seems like the most likely place on the more eastern end of the Island and I think the Shinnecocks may be eyeing that area for their casino or whatever they're going to do with their newly-won status as a bonafide tribe (a whole 'nuther subject...argh!). I remember going to the drags with my buddies when I was in high school and it was always a deafeningly-good time!

-john

[Uncle Fred]

Sorry Don, I let a little politics slip in there. A world class racing facility would have brought tremendous revenue to a depressed area as well as world wide attention.

[Joe Mig]

I think it's a great idea Joe, but Riverhead seems like the most likely place on the more eastern end of the Island and I think the Shinnecocks may be eyeing that area for their casino or whatever they're going to do with their newly-won status as a bonafide tribe (a whole 'nuther subject...argh!). I remember going to the drags with my buddies when I was in high school and it was always a deafeningly-good time!
-john

A casino and a racetrack are two things that have been frequently suggested for the Enterprise Park at Calverton ever since Riverhead Town took possession of the land from the U.S. Navy some 15 years ago.
This is an old Air Force base with plenty of room for a motor sports complex. It is not land for the Shinnecocks to put up a tax free gambling est.
I personally raced on or at Bridge Hampton road coarse, West Hampton drag strip and Kart track, River head oval and a few other karting tracks on LI and I sure do miss it.
Calverton is just off the LIE ex 71 or 72 so you would not have to drive another hr after getting off the LIE or rt 27.
LI need's this as it will help in meany different ways.

[Hworth08]

Hi Fred,

There was a couple we would always visit when we were pulling trucks at the Super Dome. The wife was a fine cook and we usually ate on their patio. The deck of the ships being unloaded were just visable over the levee at eye level! A bit un-nerving to someone not used to that.

[TSR]

Long Island was the scene of fantastic early automobile racing at the turn of the (20th) century, namely the Vanderbilt Cup that ran for quite a few years... all the way to 1960.

CLICK HERE

[Uncle Fred]

As a kid, I actually used to ride my bike on a old section of one of the courses.

[Joe Mig]

Thanks for the help things are looking good.
Check out this article and cool old Drag racing video.
http://libn.com/blog.../19/left-turns/

[Uncle Fred]

Great memories! I was at the Super Stock National's at New York National Speedway and was probably there when some of that video was shot. I have a dvd from Bee Line Videos of the 1971 AHRA Nationals from York PA with me on it when I used to drive a Top Fuel car..........seriously!

[Joe Mig]

What was the name of your car ?

[Uncle Fred]

I was teamed up with fellow slot car racer Bruce Clark and our cars were built by A&P Automotive from Port Washington NY. I drove a front engine car in 1971 and we built a rear engine car for the 1972 season pictured here:

Attached Images

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[Uncle Fred]

Oddly enough I never ran on Long Island although I was supposed to drive.........Freddy Dename's funny car once at New York National Speedway!!!!!

[Joe Mig]

State of the art back then.

[Uncle Fred]

Joe, yes it was. Ed Akam of A&P Auto (check out Goamericaracing.com) built an amazing 210" car as everybody started switching to rear engine cars following Don Garlit success with his. I drove this front engine car in 1971 which Ed had run since 1968 before turning his efforts to "The New Yorker" funny car.

[Joe Mig]

Wow That is so cool ,I love the old slingshot dragsters.

[Uncle Fred]

THAT was a scary ride! Especially at night with4 foot flames from the headers blocking your view!!!! Just punch it and hang on for dear life!

[Tex]

You were brave beyond imagination! I'm glad you're still around to tell the tale.

[Joe Mig]

So tell me, Fred were your eye's vibrating with everything else ?
It is a wonder you could see.

[Uncle Fred]

Yes but the worst part of it all were the nitro fumes that caused your eye to tear instantly.