Raceway park- Englishtown, NJ history

[Syleng1]

What a good video of the track I used to race at in Englishtown, NJ. The story is kinda sad over all but the history is amazing. This is the link I believed I copied correctly from You Tube,
Syleng1

 

[Charrlie_S]

I did some racing at Englishtown, back in the 70's and 80's. My "home" track was Island Dragway in Great Meadows NJ. Started racing there in the 60's. As far as I know Island Dragway is the only dragstrip still running in the state of NJ. Over the years there have probably been about 10 dragstrips in NJ, and I ran at most of them.

 

[JDMopar]

Thanks for posting that. I feel fortunate to have been able to go to Mopars at Englishtown back in the 80's. It was a great dragstrip, and it's sad that it ended that way. The tracks are fading away, one by one.

 

[85glht]

Thanks for posting that. I feel fortunate to have been able to go to Mopars at Englishtown back in the 80's. It was a great dragstrip, and it's sad that it ended that way. The tracks are fading away, one by one.

I also went to these events along with the pros when they had the events in May... Cool nights = record breaking times.

 

[Syleng1]

I posted this after watching. Sadly the misconception was “the kids did not want it anymore.” Environment conditions seemed to be more at fault.
We have a circle track near me in Connecticut (been there since the 40’s) and they are facing neighborhoods that build up around the track as the land sells and people then complain about the noise. My attitude is buyer beware.
Very sad. I cut my teeth at that track as a kid. Mopars at Englishtown was some of the worse sunburns I’ve ever gotten. lol! Long before Chrysler at Carlisle ever existed.

 

[Demonx2]

Thx for posting. Although sad, that's a great video to watch. It's highly worth taking the time to watch it.

 

[Unconventional]

I posted this after watching. Sadly the misconception was “the kids did not want it anymore.” Environment conditions seemed to be more at fault.
We have a circle track near me in Connecticut (been there since the 40’s) and they are facing neighborhoods that build up around the track as the land sells and people then complain about the noise. My attitude is buyer beware.
Very sad. I cut my teeth at that track as a kid. Mopars at Englishtown was some of the worse sunburns I’ve ever gotten. lol! Long before Chrysler at Carlisle ever existed.

Our dirt track has had similar issues. In truth, there is only one area near the track suitable for housing, so the county let it happen. The prospective residents were all well informed that the track was there and thoroughly permitted for it's operation. Enter founding family selling track after 40 years of operation. New owner decides racing is just not enough income, let's have some concerts. Out of necessity, the 30' tall speakers with amps the size of a Prius are pointed at the bleachers and behind those bleachers, the residential development. Begin complaints to the county. Chances are, had the operators of the track followed what the permits allowed there would have been no issues. It was so nice when I first moved up here. All I had to do was walk out the back door and put my ears to the track and I could tell just exactly what divisions were racing . To the wife " I hear Sprint Cars! Grab your jacket! We're goin' to the track!" We were half way across the valley in the middle of town.