How to reopen a dragstrip?

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dibbons

dibbons

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I am looking for something to do in my "golden years" (was a bracket racer at Fremont Raceway back in the '70s'). I just found an abandoned 1/8 mile asphalt abandoned drag strip right behind my new house here in Baja California Sur, Mexico! It would be fun to see it reopened, perhaps I could even manage the operation. I am sure there would be a lot of red tape involved but I believe it would be worth the effort. I have seen drag strips in Canada and Europe, so I am wondering how they are all sanctioned? Well, this project is too big to tackle on my own. Any technical, business, or legal tips would be appreciated! I found some videos of the same dragstrip from 2008:


 
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The list of things to think about is long and $$$$$! How much will the property cost as is? Check with NHRA to find out what their specs are to run their races. Also check with AHRA for same. Then find out how much to meet these specs. What will need to be done to bring property up to current local codes? Insurance? You will need to get qualified people to prep the track using the special equipment that is needed and they should also be qualified to be the starting line crew. Don't forget the fire safety crew.
I'm not saying don't try. I'm saying it is going to be a whole LOT of money to open the doors the first day. Look for nothing but longs days and no let up for a long time.
Try to contract Larry Crispe at Bandimere Speedway. He has been the VP of Opertions there for about 15 plus years. He has helped build tracks all over the world.
Good luck!!!! Keep us posted.
Mike
 
You do not have to deal with any NHRA, IHRA or AHRA. You just have to have some kind of insurance in case there is an accident. I have been to tracks that did not even have it but it may not be a smart move.Good luck and I like to see a old drag strip come back to life.
 
Money, insurance and as the insurance company will probably tell you a medical staff and ambulance on hand
 
If it was closed because of noise complaints by neighbors you have zero chance of reopening it.
 
Never done it so I can't help you but if I was going to I would just google dragstrips and start calling some and let them know your intentions and that you are seeking advice. I'm sure you would eventually come across someone that would be willing to give you some guidance on the setup, legal ramifications and profitability margins necessary to be successful in the venture.

*** I wouldn't call a strip that's close to you as you would inevitably be viewed as competition.

*** I don't know if sanctioning would apply as you are in Mexico, however what applies here in the states will most likely be different down there. Probably be some pay offs involved ha ha ha !!!
 
Yup. You have to have deep pockets or know someone who does that's interested.
 
Think 1/8 mile! its a lot cheeper to start with!!!!!!!
speeds are less and insurance is a LOT LESS!!!!!!
 
This is 1/8 mile. In fact, today a neighbor told me they race Friday nights at 10:00PM. I will believe it when I see it. I will be there tomorrow night and then check back here. Oh, while we are on the subject, what equipment differences are advisable converting a car from 1/4 mile to 1/8 mile? The only obvious one to me would be a steeper rear end ratio.
 
Update...I got lost last night in the desert--all the dirt roads looked alike. However, this morning I found the 1/8 mile dragstrip about 2 miles off the main highway and about 1 mile from the local cemetery. Only a few scattered ranches nearby, the nearest to the strip was raising about a dozen burros. No problems with neighbors complaining about noise, unless those buried at the cemetery come back to haunt me. The 30 foot concrete patch at the start line and the over 1/4 mile asphalt straightaway (total length) look to be in very good condition. It appears there never have been any guardrails. There were some bolts at the start line imbeded in the concrete that served some purpose at one time, but now they are all bent over flat to the surface. All of the light posts have disappeared, only short metal stumps stuck in concrete, and I did not see any power lines. The small grandstands have no shade and are falling apart. There is open access to the property and no caretaker, so I made a rather lazy run down the strip in my 1996 Dodge Dakota 3.9L 5-speed with 3.55 suregrip--attaining about 55 mph at the finish line. For now it appears anyone can go out there anytime and make some runs for free. I will check with the two local classic car clubs this week to see if the rumored events at the strip are sanctioned by anyone or just locals showing up to take advantage of an abandoned property!
 
Interesting. I'll be following your thread and hope for the best. Like others have said, it's all about money. Insurance, safety crew, lights, guard rails, meeting local codes, getting permits from any municipality, etc all add up quickly. Sponsors help. That's why dragstrips have such cool signs everywhere. Good luck!
 
We started out with a simple system by "Port-a-tree". Came with starting line beams and finish line beams. rolled out a 1/8 mile of cable down the center of the track and hooked up the sensor.

We got lucky and got a used set from the "Ice Drag guy" they gave up on there sport!
With this system, all you need is a 1000 W or larger generator and you have a running system.

Our track is a non profit deal. so things happen vary slow, and no body get paid.

You either need someone who is willing to pound the pavement to get lots and lots of sponsor(because no one is going to sponsor much money on a 10 car field with 0 spectators)

Or you have to have connections and smart guys that can make something from nothing.

For example: our track is and old air port. we don't have the money to cut holes in the tar to make a concrete burn out box. So one of the guys, new a guy, that would let us us his steam roller.
We used big propane torches, melted the tar and used the steam roller to shake and vibrate grove for the water to be trapped in.(aka water box) painted it to seal the cracks. And now you have a burn out box.
Another guy had a 30 gal steel drum that we attached a garden hose and a sprayer to the bottom and 10psi of pressure give you all the water you need for the burn out box.

Had another guy that had an in with the highway department and we got a chunk of used guardrail that had been removed due to a crash that bent it up pretty good. cut the bad section out and now we have 120' feet of guardrail to protect the spectators. All the rest of the track is lined with plastic 55 gal barrels. Barrels were donated and the fire department donated the water to fill them up with. Its not ideal but its the best that we can do at this time. I know I'm rambling on here but this should help you get the thought proses moving forward.

It's a lot of hard work and sacrifices, to make it work! Good luck to you and hope you can make a go of it.

We are not NHRA IHRA OR ANY OTHER RA SANCTIONED, AND NEVER WILL BE. WE ARE TWO SMALL AND ALWAYS WILL BE!
 
dibbons said:
Only a few scattered ranches nearby, the nearest to the strip was raising about a dozen burros. No problems with neighbors complaining about noise, unless those buried at the cemetery come back to haunt me.
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I would not assume that, at all, unless you spoke with them.

We had a local couple pour their heart and soul into a local 1/8th mile, only to be taken to court after completion and they are shut down. It's out in the country with no immediate neighbors.

The complaint was noise, even though racing would have been Saturday only and ending by 9 PM. The ones that complained took it to court, and were told unless they posted a bond the track would be allowed to open. These two busy bodies posted nearly 100K bond to shut it down last year. No racing until further court battles.
 
Not here.

I don't think the real issue is noise with these two idiots. I think they are afraid of some folks running around with fast cars and naturally assume the worst.

The noise issue is just an excuse IMO, but it can shut you down, as witnessed here.

These guys are the same type of folks that move to the country and then ***** about the farmer spreading cow poo on his fields because it smells bad.
 
I would not assume that, at all, unless you spoke with them.
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I agree 100% we have a highway on one side of the track and a side road less then a 1/8 mile away the runs parallel to our track. There is about 10 farmer that live on that road.

We when and talked to all of them and told of our plans. Told them that we were only going to race one or maybe two times a month and never after dark and NEVER ON SUNDAY!

They were all on board with us because they hated the people that had leased the old air port before us.(small remote control airplane club that would chase there cattle around)

Any ways my point is that you need to talk with the surround people and have a good game plan and have a good Speaker!!!!(some one that knows how to us the right works that they want to hear and gain trust.) As the old saying goes."You can never get a 2nt "FIRST" IMPRESSION!!!!

One of them neighbor has a Crack Sealing Business and he has helped us a bunch, with our track!!!
 
Update--I forgot to mention the memorial plaque at the finish line in remembrance of a January 19, 2013 tragedy that took place at about 3:00 AM. A 27 year-old Norman Zain Verduzco Zaya, who was the "starter" for some very late night unofficial, unsanctioned drag racing, was killed while speaking to the driver of one of two cars waiting at the start line. A vehicle from the previous race returned down the drag strip, coming down the wrong way at a high rate of speed and ran him down! I have never heard of such a stupid, irresponsible action. Go figure. May the poor kid rest in peace.
 
Any updates on this? Did you find out if they race still?

I know this sounds like a stupid hooligan think to say but maybe the kids prefer the closed down track. People can meet there and grudge race and do questionable things without having to sign a waiver and leave their name when the cops come.

I know if I had a old closed down strip by me that's where I would be hanging out. I am sure gambling and other illegal activities will be going on but it's a good middle ground for street racers and smart racers. Keeps the kids off public roads but it still let's them feel like rebels!

Sounds stupid and irresponsible and illegal but it's a safe alternative to street racing but still offers the illegal thrill since it's trespassing.
 
Bad Sport said:
I would not assume that, at all, unless you spoke with them.

We had a local couple pour their heart and soul into a local 1/8th mile, only to be taken to court after completion and they are shut down. It's out in the country with no immediate neighbors.

The complaint was noise, even though racing would have been Saturday only and ending by 9 PM. The ones that complained took it to court, and were told unless they posted a bond the track would be allowed to open. These two busy bodies posted nearly 100K bond to shut it down last year. No racing until further court battles.
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You're talking about Onondaga, correct? The bond amount posted by someone on YB was almost 400k, not sure how accurate that is though. It will be interesting to see the final judgement, I think it's in Jan.

Dennis
 
Update--I called one of the local classic car club presidents. He did not know anything about the present status of the dragstrip. He was almost evasive, but maybe that was just my imagination.
 
DennisH said:
You're talking about Onondaga, correct? The bond amount posted by someone on YB was almost 400k, not sure how accurate that is though. It will be interesting to see the final judgement, I think it's in Jan.

Dennis
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Yes, and I think the bond was 381K. At least that's what I heard.
 
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