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Possible RaceTrack?

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aeronca65t

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin
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OK, even if you are not from Long Island or in the Metro area, you can take part in the following (if you wish).

Here's the scoop: The old Grumman property on Long Island (where they built many famous aircraft) is slated for recreational useage. Some folks in the town would like to build an articifial snow-skiing mountain on the property. But some of us would prefer a race track.

As many may not be aware, a race track is pretty friendly to the environment and would actually leave most the area as "open space". This artificially cooled snow mountain would be an enourmous energy user and is likely to interfere with the local aquifer.

Some of you may know about Bridghampton. I raced there and it was a wonderful track with a lot of unspoiled beauty on the grounds.
It is now a golf course built on weak, sandy soil. This require tons of chemical fertilizers to stay green (which is anything *but* "green").
Water wells in the Hamptons have been negatively impacted by this increased release of chemicals used as fertilizers.

Like many of us in the northeast, I lament the loss of The Bridge and would love to see a return of racing to Long Island.

If you are so inclined, you may sign a petition that has been set up to support the idea of a track.
The petition is below. Thanks (and please spread this around if you can).

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/forget-the-mountain-build-the-racetrack
 
O.K., Nial.

I guess aircraft manufacturing is not one of the options? When Fairchild closed, the plant was divided among several businesses, some aviation-related, some not. Some parts are still empty, I think.
 
Nial, 'Tis done! I also added this comment, which might help a little more than the environmental concerns. These are elected officials, after all......

"The ski mountain would be a complete white elephant, and will cost far more to operate than it will ever bring in. In contrast, a race track will bring in enthusiasts, both racers and fans alike, cost little to nothing to operate, make a profit and create income for local businesses. A win-win proposition.

In Wisconsin we have a wonderful race track, which brings in millions of dollars a year in business to local companies."
 
I'm in on this one too, Nial.
Before you can visit that "big" track in Wisconsin, you have to come to our "little" track in Michigan.
In a Spridget, you have to install a microwave for Wisconsin. You'll have plenty of time to cook your lunch on the drive between turn 3 and turn 5! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff
 
Jeff--

If that "little" track was Grattan--I sure did like it!
 
No, Michael, littler than Grattan, about 100 miles southeast of there.
A little place named Waterford Hills. We used to run the Meadowbrook Historic Races there, until about five years ago. 14 turns in a mile and a half.

https://www.waterfordhills.com

Did you like turn 3 at Grattan?
Jeff
 
Hey Nial, I'll gladly sign that petition as I live less than a mile away and would like to see nothing more. It's suppossed to be a race circuit and a 1/4 mile. Not sure where you got your information from but word here is the bid on the property was awarded last Friday. Race track came in 3 million short of the winner. (An indoor ski slope) No offense but who needs an indoor ski slope!!??!?! What's wrong with this world that we need to ski indoors!!!!!

So the local word is that the group that won the bid (For the ski slope) has bid an other job several years ago that he never met the funds requirement on. So the hope is that it will default back to the Racetrack group.

I deal with the local Govt's here on a proffesional basis from tyime to time so I get to hear some of the happenings. Seems too much of LI is NIMBY effected. (Not In My Back Yard) That's why we have so many problems like the lack of a power plant and very costly electric all the way to the last struggling Racetrack (Riverhead.) Driving really fast in a tiny circle over and over and over just doesn't appeal to me...

All that being said I'm adding my name to your list cause hey who knows!!
 
Jeff--

Once I made sure they were not going to move anything between laps I was okay with it.
 
DART said:
Nial- sent mine in too. Are you at the point for the VSCCA November 3-4??
Click to expand...

No. I'll be at Summit for the EMRA 4-Hour Twilight enduro on Nov 17-18 (a *great* event)...and if I can break away, I'll be at the VRG Turkey event the following weekend.
In both cases, with the Twin Cam Escort (VRG allows "moderns" at the Turkey event)

I'm also running the VRG event at Watkins Glen on Oct 20 and the EMRA event there the following day (in the Spridget)
 
This idea has been brought up before and vetoed for various reasons such as noise which can be limited,traffic created by events that can be managed,operation costs certianly less than a ski facility,insurance ditto. The key should be a study on cost,environmental impact,local profit potential and overall useability for the community.A Long Island buisness owner and long time racer Peter Greenfield has tried several times to get this moving at Grumman's property and before that at The Bridge. I would love to see a racing facility open here not only for the racing fans but for the local adults? and younger people who want to go fast safely.There are so many programs that a racing facility could be used for from police driver training to
high school drivers ed. as well as race driving schools and others.Oh well enough rambling. time to get in touch with local politicians and put a bee in their bonnet.
 
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