Capitol drag strip shutting down???
04-03-2012, 06:25 PM
#2
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Its never a good thing when tracks close, i have raced there in the past and had a great time the few times I did. I enjoy racing at small time tracks like capital. Dont get me wrong I love the larger facilities but when you come from a place where there are no tracks within a few hours any track is a blessing.
As many of locals complain about it they will complain even more without it. Like the age old saying goes, you don know what you got till its gone.
As many of locals complain about it they will complain even more without it. Like the age old saying goes, you don know what you got till its gone.
04-03-2012, 07:29 PM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Its never a good thing when tracks close, i have raced there in the past and had a great time the few times I did. I enjoy racing at small time tracks like capital. Dont get me wrong I love the larger facilities but when you come from a place where there are no tracks within a few hours any track is a blessing.
As many of locals complain about it they will complain even more without it. Like the age old saying goes, you don know what you got till its gone.
As many of locals complain about it they will complain even more without it. Like the age old saying goes, you don know what you got till its gone.
Get out there and support your tracks and local events!
-Roger
04-03-2012, 07:42 PM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
This sucks.
Also just heard about E-Town not running Friday nights anymore?
I guess the track is getting pretty saturated with oil, it probably needs the extra day for the sun to bake it out, lol.
Also just heard about E-Town not running Friday nights anymore?
I guess the track is getting pretty saturated with oil, it probably needs the extra day for the sun to bake it out, lol.
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04-04-2012, 04:56 AM
#8
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Heard some info about lease being up and money not being paid out to certain folks. Not sure if that is the truth or not.
04-04-2012, 05:32 AM
#9
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04-04-2012, 05:33 AM
#10
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Was pulled from another forum, again not sure of the validity or not
Capitol's website now states :
The drag strip operated by NHRA Pro Stock team owner Jim Cunningham, Capitol Raceway is currently closed. The reasons for this closure appear to stem from a dispute over the lease on the track. The land that the facility sits on is owned by a separate party and from what we have read and heard, the lease needed to be renewed for the 2012 season and terms could not be reached between Cunningham, his family, and the land owner.
While we really hate to see any drag strip closed down, Capitol Raceway has not exactly covered itself in glory over the last few years. The track became more well known for the tired environment and high profile wrecks (see the video below) than it did for blazing performances, cool events, and happy racers. Such was not always the case though. The track opened in 1961 and through the 1960s and 1970s it was one of the true hot beds of drag racing on the east coast. Racers like Malcom Durham, Phil Bonner, and others ran at the track frequently and racers around the country knew of the track.
For whatever reason, the last several years have been unkind to the track. Lots of racers close to the facility travel to Maryland International Raceway instead of racing there, a sad testimony to the general sentiment towards the facility in the area. We have heard from a couple of reliable sources that the track will most likely re-open with new management if a deal can be struck with the land owner.
We’re going to keep our ears to the ground on this one and hopefully bring you some good news in the near future. Until then, hit the link below to view the track website.
While we really hate to see any drag strip closed down, Capitol Raceway has not exactly covered itself in glory over the last few years. The track became more well known for the tired environment and high profile wrecks (see the video below) than it did for blazing performances, cool events, and happy racers. Such was not always the case though. The track opened in 1961 and through the 1960s and 1970s it was one of the true hot beds of drag racing on the east coast. Racers like Malcom Durham, Phil Bonner, and others ran at the track frequently and racers around the country knew of the track.
For whatever reason, the last several years have been unkind to the track. Lots of racers close to the facility travel to Maryland International Raceway instead of racing there, a sad testimony to the general sentiment towards the facility in the area. We have heard from a couple of reliable sources that the track will most likely re-open with new management if a deal can be struck with the land owner.
We’re going to keep our ears to the ground on this one and hopefully bring you some good news in the near future. Until then, hit the link below to view the track website.
Capitol's website now states :
New Management will be taking over and will notify
racers and spectators when they will be opening.
Thank You
racers and spectators when they will be opening.
Thank You
04-04-2012, 07:34 AM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Damn this sucks! I used to be at Capitol every weekend! Those were the days when Extreme Motorsports Talon first ran 10's and everyone in the stands stood up.. Sad.
04-06-2012, 04:01 PM
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
The track will be open on 4-13-12 for test and tune. 4-14-12 for there bracket race. It will be under new mang. They want to make the track a better place to race..
This is great news for anyone in the area. Was my friday night hangout...
This is great news for anyone in the area. Was my friday night hangout...
04-06-2012, 06:08 PM
#15
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
Can't wait to test the new car there. Much prefer Capitol over Cecil.
04-06-2012, 06:25 PM
#16
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
If they put any care into the track at all, it will be a much better place to race. A few years ago they had a starter named Rick that took good care of the track but was fired for using too much VHT.... I pretty much stopped racing my car there after that, But if you can make a car work there it WILL work anywhere.
04-06-2012, 06:45 PM
#17
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
If they put any care into the track at all, it will be a much better place to race. A few years ago they had a starter named Rick that took good care of the track but was fired for using too much VHT.... I pretty much stopped racing my car there after that, But if you can make a car work there it WILL work anywhere.
Regardless, Capitol is in a prime location and given some updating of the "facilities" read: better prep, updated bathrooms/food area, it'll be a goldmine!
04-06-2012, 08:24 PM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
If they turn this track around and update the bathrooms,food, parking and fix the track up it will be so KILLER. the location is great. Hope these new guys do what they say.
04-06-2012, 08:29 PM
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04-08-2012, 08:25 AM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
I believe its this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...kPMewT3Zk&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...kPMewT3Zk&NR=1
04-08-2012, 10:01 AM
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Re: Capitol drag strip shutting down???
A track closing, is never a good thing.
Seems like Drag Racing is dying out all over America for the most part.
We lost our local track that was a part of Drag Racing history in 2005. It was the first track in Southern California. I think it was built in the 50's and opened in the early 60's. And held a bunch of NHRA events in the early days.
The sad part about the tracks closing, was that it could have been avoided. But people didn't do anything about it until it was too late. Add big money investors in creating yet another business park in the area, and next thing you know it got closed.
But due to its age, it was considered a "California Landmark" or something of that sort. So really, all we needed to do was show up to the hearings the judge had regarding the race track. But just like most things, no one fcking showed up. Everyone started to rally and get behind the track, but by then things were signed and the judge had his hands tied behind his back.
He even said, you guys would have kept the track if you guys would have showed up to the initial hearing regarding the tracks fate. But unfortunately, everyone was late to the party and we lost the track.
Seems like Drag Racing is dying out all over America for the most part.
We lost our local track that was a part of Drag Racing history in 2005. It was the first track in Southern California. I think it was built in the 50's and opened in the early 60's. And held a bunch of NHRA events in the early days.
The sad part about the tracks closing, was that it could have been avoided. But people didn't do anything about it until it was too late. Add big money investors in creating yet another business park in the area, and next thing you know it got closed.
But due to its age, it was considered a "California Landmark" or something of that sort. So really, all we needed to do was show up to the hearings the judge had regarding the race track. But just like most things, no one fcking showed up. Everyone started to rally and get behind the track, but by then things were signed and the judge had his hands tied behind his back.
He even said, you guys would have kept the track if you guys would have showed up to the initial hearing regarding the tracks fate. But unfortunately, everyone was late to the party and we lost the track.
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