We found the Bridgehampton Race Circuit

"oldirtybootz" (oldirtybootz) 01/01/2014 at 18:18 • Filed to: bridgehampton race circuit, motorsports, old racetracks, long island, dodge dart

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After I learned about it's existence last weekend from Bad Idea Hat, I wanted to take a ride out east and see if any of the track still remained. My girlfriend and I had nothing to do today so we looked up the directions and set off to find it.

The track operated from 1957 until 1998. From Wikipedia: "It was one of the first permanent road racing venues in the United States, opening after Thompson Speedway, two years after Road America, the year after Watkins Glen International, and the same year as Lime Rock Park and Laguna Seca Raceway.[1] In its early years, Bridgehampton was host to major international series, including the World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, and NASCAR Grand National. By the early 1970s, the track was used mostly for amateur events, and closed permanently in 1998. Bridgehampton was renowned as a fearsome course, requiring the utmost of driver skill."

The track closed due to public pressure from uptight Hamptonites who couldn't appreciate racing. The fact that the owners didn't have money to update the track also didn't help matters. Today, a golf course occupies the land, essentially in the confines of the track itself, but the main straight still remains as the road to the golf clubhouse.

It's easy to see how and why the track failed, but it's sad nonetheless. If it were open I'd be there all the time, maybe even build a car to run. Unfortunately the closest I'll ever come to seeing racing there is on Youtube, but in the spirt of Oppo, I blasted down the remains of the front straight.

And a few other sights from the day. An SRT10 Ram, a very Jalop driveway, a killer radio tower, an old garage, and some roads and water.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 18:41

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Hey man, is your Dart Stock?

area man > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 18:43

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Looks like a fun trip!

oldirtybootz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/01/2014 at 19:01

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At the moment yet, but my strut bar should come in the mail this week. I have a bunch of stuff I'd like to do, though I don't know how much I'll actually get to.

oldirtybootz > area man 01/01/2014 at 19:02

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It was, we both really enjoyed it. Even she said she wishes she could see races there.

Bad Idea Hat > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 19:05

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I'm glad you got to do this, and you weren't disappointed. All of the pictures I've seen before today made it look amazing, and your pictures made it even better. Still, I can't feel anything but sad for what could have been.

Glad you got to see it, though. Congratulations on having fun with your trip.

Bad Idea Hat > Bad Idea Hat 01/01/2014 at 19:08

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I also need to mention that this needs to at least be given a "Best of Oppo" mention, if not a front page bump.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 19:12

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Is there a Tork tune in your future?

desertdog5051 > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 19:45

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Sad to see older tracks fade into obscurity. At least that one still has good pavement. I remember finding one in Ohio. Starting to get overgrown and the pavement was starting to break up. Could barely see it from a highway and we backtracked & wandered till we found it. Hooned it for a while and then left.

oldirtybootz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/01/2014 at 19:54

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I've thought about it and the car despwra needs a tune, but I'm wary of that.

oldirtybootz > Bad Idea Hat 01/01/2014 at 20:07

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Thank you! I wouldn't have known about it had you not brought it up. It's definitely sad to see it like this, the potential is obviously there. I wasn't expecting much, I figured the Chevron bridge would be hidden, so it was a very pleasant surprise to see the front straight as the road to the golf course. They even kept those Mobil pegasus signs which was neat.

oldirtybootz > desertdog5051 01/01/2014 at 20:10

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The hooning of an old track is a necessity if it's possible to do so. I picked a good day to go, no one was there.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 20:13

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Well I've heard it not only helps the car perform, but that it also stabilizes it and irons out the kinks. I know you're worried about warranty, but it seems like kind of a cure-all for the 1.4Ts.

oldirtybootz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/01/2014 at 20:21

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One option is to get a second ECU and put the tune on that one and swap as necessary.

Bad Idea Hat > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 22:33

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Eh, you would have found out about it eventually. You also did one hell of a drive just to get there, and got some amazing pictures.

I'm considering making a "Dead track of the week" feature because of this, if not with actual pictures taken by me, at least a reasonable history and classic pictures of the track, plus any modern day shots.

pdish > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 22:38

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Great post, makes me wonder how many other abandoned tracks are across the country we haven't hear of. Thanks for the pics.

oldirtybootz > Bad Idea Hat 01/01/2014 at 23:30

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It took about an hour each way. Traffic was very light and the Dart is apparently an excellent cruiser. The drive itself was great too, all in all it was a nice little trip and it's practically in my back yard. When they finally turn Tesla's lab into a museum I'm definitely going to do a write up for Oppo. That is almost literally down the road from me, and I've been meaning to stop and take some pictures through the fence now that you can see the building. This island has some great history once you look past the strip malls.

A dead track of the week feature would be great. I meant to include some of the vintage photos I found online. I think Road and Track or C&D ran a story on dead tracks not too long ago as well. The death of auto racing in America is downright depressing.

oldirtybootz > pdish 01/01/2014 at 23:32

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Thank you! I'm always looking for an excuse to take some pictures. I wonder what remains of LI's drag strips.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 23:33

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I mean as a person with an N/A engine, I have no mercy for the few hoops you'll have to go through to get 30 more hp. I'd have to spend 2k+ for 30 more whp. And you can do it for a grand through getting a 2nd ecu and a reflash lol

Bad Idea Hat > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 23:40

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This nearly makes me cry. It's so beautiful. Imagine grandstands, a more solid pit lane, and a guy jumping up with the American flag as open wheeled rockets come flying down that straight.

Also, here's one to blow your mind;

oldirtybootz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/01/2014 at 23:40

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I really wish Mopar would have created a tune for it. They seem to be favoring the 2.4L, which makes sense as the SRT4 is likely to use a blown 2.4.

I think I'd have to get a second ECU anyway, since I'm not taking it out of my car, sending it to them, and not being able to drive. $495 isn't terrible for the tune I suppose. I know someone on here got raped by Audi because of a tune, so I'm debating on wether it's worth it or not. It is definitely tempting though, everything wrong with the 1.4 is pretty easily fixed and the tune is the biggest factor.

oldirtybootz > Bad Idea Hat 01/01/2014 at 23:46

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I was watching some footage on youtube and the sounds alone would have been worth the admission.

What's the second picture of? It doesn't look like Bridgehampton.

Bad Idea Hat > oldirtybootz 01/01/2014 at 23:57

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It's not. It's a lot less infuriating than Bridgehampton, since it was kind of a poor layout. It honestly seemed like an early incarnation of a Tilke Track.

It's Roosevelt Raceway. Held the Vanderbilt Cup race in 1936 and 37, which drew one hell of a field (brought over due to a nice little prize package). It's also on Long Island.

Prior to using Roosevelt, that cup was held on roads out on the island until, guess what, they got chased away by the locals.

The Vanderbilt Cup was held infrequently, due to war, lack of interest, and just general forgetfulness. Eventually, the Cup was moved to a nearby track...in Bridgehampton, with the Can-Am race winner taking home the trophy.

Long Island has such an amazing racing history, that it should rightfully be the center of American F1. Not to piss on Watkins Glen, but the island was hosting major races nearly half a century before The Glen.

oldirtybootz > Bad Idea Hat 01/02/2014 at 00:14

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It's incredible that locals have pushed auto racing completely off the island with the exception of Riverhead, and I give it less than a decade before it closes as well. It's such a shame, these days you'd never guess the island has such a rich racing history.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 00:19

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Well they've hyped up the fuel economy attributes of the 1.4T to start offering it as a "true" performance option. But really it deserves it just as much. As far as I know, the 2.4 is just a VVT version of the 2.4 running back through the Calibur R/T. This means it's not DI'd, aluminum constructed, or sporting dual cams. Pretty much an underwhelming showing if you ask me. They had the chance to do it right, and they didn't.

oldirtybootz > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/02/2014 at 00:37

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I'd have to agree. The 2.4 doesn't have DI, it's essentially the old World Engine with Multiair. The 1.4T is now only available with the Aero model, the 2.0 only with the SE, and the 2.4 is the sole engine for everything else with no option for 1.4 SXTs or Limiteds anymore. That definitely confirms what you said. The 1.4 easily deserves to be the performance engine though. In sound alone, even with the single exhaust pipe on my Aero, it's far better than either Tigershark engine. The Hyundai 6AT is awful as well.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 00:51

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That's terrible how they've restructured the lineup around the 2.4. If it was a groundbreaking engine chock full of new tech blazing the streets and gettin 500 miles to the tank, maybe. But as it is? No.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 10:24

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Not much. Westhampton is COMPLETELY gone. Condos......

The old Islip speedway is an empty field....

doodon2whls > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 10:26

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COOL !

Many YouTube videos of the old track...

Slave2anMG > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 10:32

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I remember the track name as a kid...I raced karts when I was a kid and the next step up was to shifter karts that ran at Bridgehampton. My neurotic mother wouldn't hear of that...it was...*gasp*...dangerous.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 10:46

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Late IIA, I think, i.e. ~1970.

pdx107 > oldirtybootz 01/02/2014 at 11:32

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Beer from oregon advertised there?

oldirtybootz > Slave2anMG 01/02/2014 at 11:55

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My uncle and cousin used to run enduro cars at Riverhead when I was in middle school and high school. He offered to let me drive, but my mom quickly put a damper on that idea.

Bad Idea Hat > desertdog5051 01/02/2014 at 12:20

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I'm in Ohio. What track are you talking about? I am super interested.
Also, my first dead track is going to be a surprising and awesome Ohio track.

desertdog5051 > Bad Idea Hat 01/02/2014 at 12:23

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It has been years. I am not even sure where it is now. All I can tell you is it was in the far northwest part of the state and the highway going by was a 4 lane. Sorry.

Bad Idea Hat > desertdog5051 01/02/2014 at 12:31

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Was it an Oval? Because that fits, and I think I know someone who raced there.

Edit - Assuming it was Bryan. Forgot the town name.

desertdog5051 > Bad Idea Hat 01/02/2014 at 12:46

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It was a road course. We were working in the Defiance area. Looking at a map, It looks like it would have been off US 127 or US 6.

Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 > oldirtybootz 01/03/2014 at 11:57

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My dad took this picture back in '07. The yellow '76 911S is his and the Green '75 euro market 911 is his friend's.

Though i was only nine or ten at the time, i can still remember this quite vividly. We took a trip out east one Saturday and on the way, we visited the track. It is definitely something I'll remember for a long time.

oldirtybootz > Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 01/03/2014 at 12:11

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It seems you got Kinja'd, but I'll definitely remember it for a long time.

Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 > oldirtybootz 01/03/2014 at 12:13

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Shit. Does this one work?

oldirtybootz > Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 01/03/2014 at 13:51

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Yep and that looks awesome.

Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 > oldirtybootz 01/03/2014 at 16:21

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Thank you. My dad and I are actually very close on finishing the restoration we've been doing on his car( the yellow one). Its been around two and a half years since we started. At this point all we need is the nose to be pulled slightly and then off to paint it goes. It will hopefully be ready during spring, just in time for the nice weather.

oldirtybootz > Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 01/03/2014 at 17:03

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Mmm I love some classic 911. I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the finished car.

punksmurph > oldirtybootz 01/14/2014 at 00:20

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You could get one of the tuner boxes, Road Race has one that is meth injection ready. Little easier when you need warranty work as well. They tune the box at a company in Irvine CA not far from my work and I have seen the SEMA Dart they had ripping up the side roads outside my office.

Jrook > oldirtybootz 04/02/2015 at 20:39

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I went skateboarding down this hill once... not longboarding mind you, skateboarding. Scariest ride of my life.

oldirtybootz > Jrook 04/03/2015 at 07:22

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I can imagine, haha. I live on a similar hill and the neighborhood kids and I used to luge down it on skateboards. I was always too chicken shit to attempt it standing.

Jrook > oldirtybootz 04/03/2015 at 09:49

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Literally kissed the road when I got to the bottom safely

k24siking > Flat6ForLife, Drives a Flat4 05/08/2015 at 23:04

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Any one know the address to here

LongbowMkII > oldirtybootz 10/31/2015 at 15:50

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Dibs

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > oldirtybootz 10/31/2015 at 18:10

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“the grassed a racetrack, and put up a go-oolf coarse.”

1972Honda600 > LongbowMkII 11/02/2015 at 14:58

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hey, I saw it first (back in ‘78...)

jkstang78 > oldirtybootz 11/08/2015 at 20:44

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Just saw this link this morning and went to go check it out since I don’t live that far away. Got some good shots with the 2015 GT.

jkstang78 > oldirtybootz 11/08/2015 at 21:12

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Another track that is gone from Long Island. Closed in 2004

Originally opened as Westhampton Raceway in 1953 as a dirt drag strip,
Long Island Motorsports Park is the longest, continuously operating,
purpose-built drag strip in the United States. At the time, all other
drag strips were abandoned air fields or little used back or farm
roads. In 1955, the track was paved with asphalt with a dirt shutdown
area. A paved shutdown area was completed in the middle to late
1950’s. The track remained relatively unchanged through the 1960’s and
1970’s, other than the addition of the Christmas Tree and Chrondek
timing system and a temporary name change to Suffolk County Raceway
for a few years around 1971 or 1972. In the early 1980’s, it was known
as Hampton Raceway. In 1991, the track changed hands. New were four
buildings (timing tower, 2 concession stands and rest rooms). New
grandstands were added on the spectator side. Also, the soundwalls
were built, new signage, fencing and entrance signs were added. It was
called Long Island Dragway. The racing surface was repaved in 1993. In
1996, it was renamed again to Long Island Motorsports Park, as it
remains until today.

Debate over Westhampton race track

The re-development of a West Hampton drag strip has some folks on the East End gearing up for a fight. That’s because the town of Southampton wants to allow 230 senior homes to be built in it’s place. News 12 Long Island’s Andrew Ehinger brings us the story.

During the week the Westhampton race track is locked tight, but on the weekend this race track roars to life. A sound people who live around here are all too familiar with. So town officials want to drive the racers out of town replacing them with a planned senior community of 230 homes. But some environmentalists want to put the brakes on that plan.

Dave Nolan, Speonk, “It’s a wonderful idea but it wont solve the problem”.

There’s growing opposition to the senior housing plan because it would require the town to re-zone the 66 acre track of land on Old Country Road from 5 acres per home down to just a quarter. Environmentalists say possibly contaminate the nearby Pine Barrens and increase sewage and traffic in the area .

Dave Nolan, Speonk, “If you put 230 people in this section letting out on to this road they have to go somewhere, to east port to west Hampton beach to do shopping to do anything.”

Patrick Heaney, Town Board Member, “Anything that we can do on this including landscaping plan would be better than what is there now.”

But some council members see the re-zoning issue as a practical one, replace an noisy race track with a planned community of seniors who according to their estimates only use a third of the resources of an area than do typical families.

Steve Kenny, “That means the sewage flow would be only 100 gallons rather than 300 gallons. the trips generated would only be 1/3 of the amount generated from a similar development with 230 families as opposed to 230 adult homes.”

Helen Wintermyer-Lawrence, “You can sugar coat it anyway you want Mr. Kenny but I don’t believe you and I don’t believe your allowing them to get away with 5 acre zoning down to 1/4 acre zoning for what ever reason. there’s got to be something other you can do to get rid of that drag strip than what you are doing.”

But in the end the South Hampton town council decided to postpone any decision on the zoning matter,, letting the new council take a look at the issue when they take over on January first, The meeting will re-convene on January 8th. In Southampton.

Andrew Ehinger, News 12 Long Island.

When the new town board meets, there’s nothing that requires them to take a vote right away. In the meantime, additional public hearings on the matter have been scheduled for next month.

CruzeRS > desertdog5051 02/19/2016 at 10:52

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Where in Ohio did you find an intact track? I’d love to explore on a weekend some time