The NJ Pinelands Commission is considering a proposal to change the use of the raceway into an automobile storage and auction facility. For New Jersey-area racers, the story is possible deja vu all over again, as little more than two years ago, the other major 1/4-mile track in the state, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, inked a contract to store automobiles and permanently dismantled its drag strip. If the proposal does come to pass, it would leave Great Meadows’ Island Dragway as the last remaining strip in the state of 8.8 million residents. Island would also be the nearest drag strip to New York City. It was noted in the Pineland Commission meeting that the contract purchaser was to provide its application for the proposed changes, including wildlife and vegetation effects, to the commission by early June. https://www.dragzine.com/news/new-jerseys-atco-dragway-sold-future-called-into-question/ nother
That would be a shame. I spent many happy days and nights at Englishtown. Not sure about Island dragway but as far as I know Atco is still open.
Atco may still be open, but not for long. I am sure the local residents will be happy. When the track was built it was in the middle of nowhere. Now, the suburbs have caught up to it and, over the years, many neighbors have complained about the noise. They even tried to force the track to require mufflers on the competing cars!
My car was raced at Atco with the previous owner. Far as I know it’s still open. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I taught my kids how to drag race at Atco and Englishtown. I get so sick of people moving into an area and then forcing out anything that's objectionable like firehouses or race tracks.
Here is some good news. A new dragstrip will be opening in Riverhead, Long Island, NY at the site of a former airstrip. https://www.dragzine.com/news/the-long-wait-is-over-long-island-new-york-is-getting-a-dragstrip/
It is supposed to be turned into an auto auction and storage facility. When the track opened, in 1960, it was sited in a remote area in the Pine Barrens. Unfortunately, civilization caught up with it and residents of nearby housing developments have complained about the noise and traffic. https://www.dragzine.com/news/new-jerseys-atco-dragway-sold-future-called-into-question/
I worked at ATCO in the early '70's . They paid me well for a job I would have worked for free ! Met many of the legends. Grumpy Jenkins , Big Daddy Don Garlit's , Jungle Jim and Jungle Pam Lieberman , Linda Vaughn etc.
