ATTENTION RACEFANS: Raceway Park needs YOUR help and support

[MB43]

ATTENTION RACEFANS:

Raceway Park needs your help and support!!!

On Thursday August 5th, a Public Meeting is being held to discuss the noise levels that affect the residents of Manalapan and Englishtown. Monmouth County Assemblymen Michael J. Panter and Robert L. Morgan will discuss their recent legislation proposal to remove the Motor Vehicle Racetrack Exemption from the Noise Control Act of 1971. This exemption is what makes it possible for racetracks of all types to operate unmuffled vehicles. This move would be devastating to Raceway Park, and could set off a number of changes the way racetracks operate both here in our area and all over the state. Founded in 1965, long before the wave of housing developments that now dominate our area, Raceway Park has remained a place for motorsport enthusiasts of all kinds to come and enjoy the sports they love. Raceway Park has been able to stay open these many years based largely in part on the vocal support of the many local race fans who have helped us to fend off these attacks in the past.
We now ask for that support again, so that we may silence those who oppose Raceway Park once and for all. The meeting is open to the public and will take place on Thursday August 5th at 7:00 PM in Manalapan Township at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters located at 125 Symmes Rd. The library is a mere 1/4 mile from the corner of Route 9 and Symmes Rd. and very easy to access. If you are unable to attend, please contact Assemblymen Panter and Assemblymen Morgan at 732-741-5599 and voice your opinion. You may also fax your thoughts to 732-741-0012 or contact them via email at AsmPanter@njleg.org or AsmMorgan@njleg.org. If you e-mail, please copy Raceway Park at etownrcwy@aol.com. You can send a letter to them at New Jersey General Assembly, Legislative Office, The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue, Bldg. 2, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. Please come out and support Raceway Park, the home of fast family fun for over 40 years and for many years to come.

 

[onehellofadart]

Dear Assemblymen Panter and Morgan:



I am writing with regard to the upcoming August 5, 2004 meeting to discuss the matter of the noise levels at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. As my representatives in this matter I want to make clear my opinion that no noise level restrictions should be imposed upon Raceway Park. I am a racecar enthusiast, both as an active participant in the sport and as a spectator. Raceway Park is the only racetrack in New Jersey that is home to national level racecar events and to impose noise restrictions on the park would have serious ramifications on the authenticity and excitement of the sport. Racecar driving is growing in popularity as a spectator sport and is a valued source of income to Englishtown and surrounding areas. The domino effect of imposing noise restrictions would certainly filter down to effect the economy of these areas as well. Again, I reiterate my position that I am against imposing noise restrictions of Raceway Park.



Sincerely,



THIS IS A SAMPLE. I LIVE IN NJ

 

[abodyjoe]

you know these idiots that buy expensive houses next to a drag strip and then ***** about the noise really piss me off.... if i don't want all that noise then i'm not buying a house next to a race track..... its as simple as that...... some people really need to get a life..

 

[FASTBACK340]

you know these idiots that buy expensive houses next to a drag strip and then ***** about the noise really piss me off.... if i don't want all that noise then i'm not buying a house next to a race track..... its as simple as that...... some people really need to get a life..

Just like the morons who buy houses near airports or highways.....

C`mon everybody.....WRITE A DAMN LETTER!

I was just there yesterday and I can't imagine it being choked-off :silent:

 

[abodyjoe]

then when these clowns actually get this place shut down people will be bitching about the kids street racing because they have no where else to race....

 

[MB43]

Assemblymen will discuss
issue of noise at drag strip

MANALAPAN — State assemblymen Michael J. Panter and Dr. Robert L. Morgan (both D-Monmouth/Mercer) announced that they have been researching the issue of noise pollution and its effects on neighborhoods in Manalapan, Marlboro and Englishtown located near Raceway Park in Old Bridge.

They will hold a public meeting to discuss the subject with residents at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive.

"A number of constituents have come forward and asked for our help," said Panter. "It is clear that the majority of residents living in these communities feel that the level of noise coming out of Raceway Park, and its hours of operation, are significantly impacting their quality of life."

According to a press release, the as­semblymen’s district office will send let­ters to approximately 3,000 residents in the affected areas during the week of July 19, inviting them to take part in the meeting. The assemblymen will also be speaking with residents in the weeks leading up to the public forum through a door-to-door canvass of these neighbor­hoods.

"Raceway Park has been part of our state and an important factor in the fi­nancial stability of Old Bridge for many years," said Morgan. "We certainly don’t want to unduly impact their business. What we would like to do is find a mutu­ally beneficial solution that will make the lives of thousands of homeowners more peaceful."

According to the press release, the New Jersey Noise Control Act of 1971 en­titles the people of New Jersey to an en­vironment free from noise which degrades their quality of life. The act provides spe­cific noise thresholds which can not be exceeded by any party in the state of New Jersey, but exempts certain entities — among them, motor vehicle raceways like the drag strip at Raceway Park.

In 1981, an appellate court ruled that the exemption should not render race­tracks immune from the obligation to conduct their operations without unduly interfering with the rights of local resi­dents. The court concluded that Raceway Park should be forbidden to emit noise exceeding 70 decibels during the day, and 60 decibels at night. This ruling has not been enforced, according to the press re­lease. A similar court ruling in 2002 re­sulted in the same findings, but has also not been enforced.

Panter and Morgan said they have drafted a piece of legislation that would remove the exemption from the act for motor vehicle racetracks located in close proximity to residential neighborhoods. That legislation will be part of the discus­sion at the meeting on Aug. 5.

"We’re hoping it won’t be necessary to propose this bill during our fall session," said Morgan. "Ideally, all of the parties involved will be willing to compromise."

"We would like to see the racetrack in­corporate more substantial abatement measures that would protect the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods," said Panter. "No one wants to see Raceway Park shut down, but this prob­lem has been going on for too long, de­spite the best efforts of residents, Manalapan officials and others. It’s time for a reasonable compromise to be found."

 

[rabius75]

70 DECIBELS DURING THE DAY?!
OMFG.
ok, the exhaust regulation for mufflers around here is like, 75 or 80 decibels, ANYTIME. if youre car is louder than that, you have to fix it, or stop driving it (or face multiple tickets.) so how in the hell is a DRAG STRIP supposed to be less noisey than a street car? who was there first? stuff like this really burns my ***.
i can hear the dragstrip that is 5 miles from my house, but i dont *****, nobody does. frankly, i like the sound... but thats me.
too bad its only an 1/8 miles track... anyway.

i want to help out, but i know i would get shut down with the quickness because i dont live anywhere near NJ...
anything i can do, let me know.

 

[MB43]

One last reminder to attend the Raceway Park meeting in Manalapan this coming Thursday, August 5 at 7:00 pm. Directions are posted below. Whether you're a racer that uses the track or a business that benefits from it, please come out and show your support for Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Let New Jersey's elected officials know that racers matter and racers vote.

FROM NORTHERN NEW JERSEY:
Take Parkway South to exit 123 (Route 9 South -Sayreville/Old Bridge)

Follow Route 9 South for approximately 12 miles (into Manalapan)

Make right turn at Ryans Road/Symmes Drive

At stop sign make right - library is on right


FROM SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY
Take Turnpike North to exit 8

Follow signs for Route 33 East (Local) to Route 9 North (into Manalapan)

At Ryans Road/Symmes Drive (jughandle) make left turn onto Symmes Drive

Library is on right

or

Take Route 537 North to Route 9 North (into Manalapan)

At Ryans Road/Symmes Drive (jughandle) make left turn onto Symmes Drive

Library is on right


FROM CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
Take Route 9 North (into Manalapan)

At Ryans Road/Symmes Drive (jughandle) make left turn onto Symmes Drive

Library is on right


FROM TRENTON AREA
Take Route 33 East to Route 9 North (into Manalapan)

At Ryans Road/Symmes Drive (jughandle) make left turn onto Symmes Drive

Library is on right

 

[MB43]

Officials seek to clarify details on Raceway Park
Noise from drag strip
will be discussed at
Aug. 5 public hearing


MANALAPAN — Assemblyman Michael J. Panter announced new information that he said will be highly relevant at a meeting that will focus on the issue of noise emanating from Raceway Park.

Panter and Dr. Robert L. Morgan (both D-Monmouth/Mercer) will be holding a public forum at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, to discuss what they called an ongoing noise pollution problem that has been affecting neighborhoods in Manalapan, Marlboro and Englishtown that are near the Raceway Park drag strip.

Raceway Park is on Pension Road in south Old Bridge, near the Manalapan border.

"A productive public meeting will require us to dispel certain misperceptions that have arisen through the years and to clarify the facts regarding the Raceway Park situation," said Panter.

According to a press release from the assemblymen, in the decades-long debate on this issue, some have said that since Raceway Park was built before the homes which surround it, residents are complaining about something they were well aware of when they purchased their homes.

"That point is very misleading since the business at Raceway Park is vastly different than it was originally," said Panter. "Many of its changes and expansions took place after these residential communities were already well established."

Raceway Park began its operations in 1965, during a time when the surrounding area was already zoned for residential use, with construction of homes starting about three years later.

According to Panter and Morgan, when Raceway Park began its operations, racing took place only one day per week from April through October. There were no loudspeakers, no lights for night racing and no extremely loud "rocket" and "jet" vehicles being used at the track. As technology advanced, these and other vehicles using nitrous oxide and alcohol-based fuels were added to Raceway Park’s events. Its racing schedule and hours of operation were expanded despite the established presence of nearby neigh­borhoods, they said. In recent years, the business was expanded further as the track began to host large outdoor concerts, a liquor li­cense was obtained and a second "multi-purpose" raceway was con­structed.

"All of these changes have re­sulted in a vastly different business from that which existed when many of the thousands of surround­ing homes were built," Panter said.

While the track was initially ex­empted from the provisions of the New Jersey Noise Control Act of 1971, for 25 years it has been sub­ject to noise limitations and restric­tions on its hours of operation im­posed by the state’s courts. These rulings have not been enforced by state or local authorities during this time period, despite a long history of complaints by residents as well as local, state and federal elected officials, the assemblymen said.

"We recognize the importance of Raceway Park to its community, to the financial stability of Old Bridge and to the many spectators who support the drag racing indus­try," said Panter. "Our goal is not to harm their business, but to explore changes that would allow them to abide by the law while respecting the rights of their neighbors."

In a meeting with Raceway Park representatives on July 22, Panter accepted an invitation to tour the facility.

"A constructive dialogue among all parties will help us to find ways for Raceway Park’s business to thrive, while respecting the tens of thousands of residents who live nearby," said Panter.