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Support for Island Dragway

I don't believe Island Dragway has any BIG stuff like top fuel running there. They used to before the cars got too fast. I think their shutdown area was too short. Maybe I'm wrong, they might have acquired more land to extend it but also it's a fairly small track. They actually have been doing a "Mopars at the Patch" event for several years now. I understand that it is owned by a woman who is a car lover. They were in financial duress some years ago and shut down for a while. Rumor has it that some local racers took up a collection to keep it open. I used to go there quite a bit before long commutes to work and moving further away did me in. I hope to see them stay open and maybe even see an increase in activity as I have a soft spot in my heart for the place. I raced there twice long ago with 2 different cars and won my class both times, (still have the trophies). I would like to do it again now that I am an old goat as I have a faster car now! Lots of fun! "Long Live Island Dragway!" A worthy cause to donate to, especially now that Englishtown is kaput!
 
It is owned by the daughter of the original owner and her husband.
They did a nice job of bringing it back. The shut down is a bit short, but they have cars going 250 mph there.
They have a lot of property however its regulated by state highlands regulations that ties their hands with any improvements they may want to do.
The most urgent thing now is the bridge that you need to cross to access the track.
It needs major repairs or to be replaced.
 
I hope you guys can keep it going & open...

Sorry to say but something more than a "go fund me" deal,
that's just a temporary fix...
Get the bridge fixed 1st...
If that's an issue, if people can't get there it doesn't matter anything else...
maybe try to get a local A-contractor on the program, give some advert. etc.
I'm not trying to tell you or them what to do, just a few suggestions,
IMO they need something that will be constant & every month,
not a temporary solution after the "go fund me" deal stops...

I've seen far too many of my home-state & near hometown tracks
go away because of $$ or issues from the surrounding areas,
they need to draw a crowds for spectators,
get them spending $$ at the concession stands,
they need butts in the seats, or a big draw to get butts in the seats
Maybe you could do a promo for a race & track fundraiser ?

maybe you can get the owners on-board, it needs to be known & advertised...

So many tracks operations/owners/managers
IMO especially little tracks ones that don't have any division races &/or
out of the way places, that don't get the draw or reg. traffic...
I'm not sure about there, but what they're doing isn't working...
If you need to get people to contribute...
IMO most small facilities really don't try to advertise enough, no where near enough
they think it's too expensive, you get your $$$'s back
@ a min of 5-10 fold usually
radio & TV spots are cheap really, all things considered,
get the local TV & radio station out to the track maybe too,
that may be could be the best way to contribute...

Thinking outside of the box;
Just bracket racing {sorry no meant to offend anyone, it's boring as hell, unless you're racing}
that won't keep the gates open, won't keeps asses in the seat either, consistently...
IMO there needs to be some kind of a draw,
1/8 mile door-slammers {?} no prep races are popular,
not the same old **** that's not working currently, have decent purses,
not always cheap ****, like wed. night bracket races are
or stuff to keep interest, to keep people coming back, return spectators...


Stuff like Fox Hunts or free ladies days, or carloads for $5-$10 for spectators,
make $$$ off concessions, selling popcorn, candy, sodas, hot dogs & Burgers, fries etc.
not just $$ from the racers, they are busy racing, they don't spend $$ there anyway
Maybe more test & tunes weekly, wed. or fri. night drags,
rock or country {cRap barf} concerts,
wet tee-shirt contests {you know, all that non-PC stuff} maybe Car Shows,
maybe Monster Trucks if room, Go-Carts, Jr. Dragsters, Quad races, Sled races,
MX or BMX stuff...
Or combine any of the stuff above...
What ever you can come up with, anything to increase their bottom line
use the land, help to make them profitable etc.
I don't know the place like you do, or the surrounding areas...
I'm not sure if there are a bunch of restrictions etc.
They have the land/acreage, IMO if they have a track the do,
IMO it needs to produce for them constantly, not sit idle for most the month...
Think outside of the box, Just a thought...
Insurance is usually the biggest cost & hurdles...

Sorry for the short novel...
I'm passionate about the subject, I don't want to see any track close...

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You have one certain Jack Stand/Checkbook Racer
& all his aliases there...
That seemingly always throws his cash around like it grows on trees
on his stuff, just to run low 9's when it/they should be running low-mid 7's
with all that he spends, that really needs to step up his game up,
open his damn checkbook & contribute...
Maybe get NENDRA to step up too... {sorry not meant to offend those good people in his org.}
I didn't see his name...
 
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Thanks Budnicks.
A couple things here.
Let me take the trash out first.
The P.O.S. that you were referring to can give two shits about anything or anyone but himself.
Hes willing to spend tens of thousands on parts and motors but is always looking for free admission to an event.
Enough about that.
The go fund me page is exactly what you said it is.
A temporary fix. But it is an important one.
The money from that will repair the bridge to enter the track which is the most important first step.
Like you said, concessions are the next thing that needs to be addressed.
That is a problem.
Working restrooms as opposed to porta johns are another issue.
The track owners are involved in all of this and are doing a great job of keeping what they have going.
The fact that they literally brought this track back from the dead is amazing .
The major problem in all of this is dealing with the state.
They are fighting with the state to get a septic system installed.
N.J. Highlands Act is causing most of the issues here.
All of that being said, we have to whittle away at these issues a little at a time.
You know how it is. NJ is California but on the other coast.
The bridge needs fixed first, then the other things to follow.
I have volunteered when the time comes to do tile work in the bathrooms and concession areas or whatever else I could help put with.
I know that tiling isnt going to save the track but thats what I do and can provide.
Any little bit of money contributed will help as well.
After seeing Englishtown go down, I know that this could happen anywhere.
I won't let my most local track go down without a fight from me.

O.K.
Thats my biggest post ever.
I'M TIRED.
 
Having never been to Island, it sounds like you have to cross a bridge to get to the track?
Said bridge is in need of replacement?
I see Island Dragway at D1 bracket finals every year
 
Thanks Budnicks.
A couple things here.
Let me take the trash out first.
The P.O.S. that you were referring to can give two shits about anything or anyone but himself.
Hes willing to spend tens of thousands on parts and motors but is always looking for free admission to an event.
Enough about that.
The go fund me page is exactly what you said it is.
A temporary fix. But it is an important one.
The money from that will repair the bridge to enter the track which is the most important first step.
Like you said, concessions are the next thing that needs to be addressed.
That is a problem.
Working restrooms as opposed to porta johns are another issue.
The track owners are involved in all of this and are doing a great job of
keeping what they have going.
The fact that they literally brought this track back from the dead is amazing .
The major problem in all of this is dealing with the state.
They are fighting with the state to get a septic system installed.
N.J. Highlands Act is causing most of the issues here.
All of that being said, we have to whittle away at these issues a little at a time.
You know how it is. NJ is California but on the other coast.
The bridge needs fixed first, then the other things to follow.
I have volunteered when the time comes to do tile work in the bathrooms and
concession areas or whatever else I could help put with.
I know that tiling isnt going to save the track but thats what I do and can provide.
Any little bit of money contributed will help as well.
After seeing Englishtown go down, I know that this could happen anywhere.
I won't let my most local track go down without a fight from me.

O.K.
Thats my biggest post ever.
I'M TIRED.
You are learning well, grasshopper... :thumbsup:

looks like one of my many wall of text's :carrot:

your a good guy too Bob, I'm sure your participation
& your involvement, will surely help...

City county & state can be real headaches, expensive too,
especially permits & use/occupation fees, power poles/egress etc.,
IMO the owner may want to get some legal counsel too,
if they don't have someone already...
I know all to well the hoops & barrels to jump threw on some of these things...

maybe if they could get some local business people
BBB, Kiwanis's or JC's etc. any local community business involved,
it could help (?)
they could do signage/sell space or get donations for space
it can be wrote off partially if nothing else, maybe somewhere along the track side
or on the track seating/grandstands,
where it won't be an eyesore or illegal & it helps both parties
there's ways to get money & help in...

USUALLY Most Racers can donate time, far easier than money,
labor is always a big issue & big cost, volunteers helps tremendously...
even in the building stages...
At one point you need someone with a license if the owners can't do it,
owner builder, as a like a remodel, it's usually far cheaper that way...

Any local lumberyard to solicit, partial or discounted materials...
I found a few that really were willing to help on a couple project...
You never know, you have to ask thou, it needs to be kept business like
all above the table, they can write some of it off too...

Yeah concessions are a must, it keeps spectators there...
It's a cash cow, maybe even get volunteers/kids etc. to work it
{racers wives, daughters & son etc., to get them involved too,
you'd be surprised what getting them all onboard will do for business
& your racing, attitude adjustments, devotion or loyalty
}
maybe until the $$$ starts to come in, then hire regular people,
1099 them, it'd be just part time work for like min wage & tips...
Great experience for young people or family alike...

Is anyone that races there regularly a lawyer ?, ask around...
"voices of many speak better than just a few"

I know it's not all on you, but I'm trying to "spitball/think tank"
once I get going it's hard to stop...

damn a freaken' novel again...
I'm tired
 
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I appreciate the advice/ spit balling novels.
There's a lot of useful information in there.
There is a racers meeting on Saturday.
Maybe I can throw some of this out there for them to think about.
 
I appreciate the advice/ spit balling novels.
There's a lot of useful information in there.
There is a racers meeting on Saturday.
Maybe I can throw some of this out there for them to think about.
:thumbsup:
 
I hope Island can keep running. That used to be my Home track, back in the '60's to the mid '80's. Stopped in for a visit, back in 2006. Many memories.
 
Budnicks, you make some very good points, I lived and raced in California many years ago and like you, I saw all those tracks disappear as the sprawl slowly took over. Much of the land where they once were has never been used which makes it even harder to accept. I attended my first drag race at Kingdon in Lodi, with my Dad. There was a time when the central and northern part had almost a dozen places to race, except for a couple, the rest are gone.
I do hope Island Dragway doesn't suffer the same fate.:(
 
Here are a few of the improvements that have been going on over the last couple of months.

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I was able to convince one of my suppliers to donate tile for the restroom floors.
Now I have to run a sticker on my car this year. Lol
Thank you Wayne Tile.

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At this point in time.Island is the only track I can do in 1 day.All the other tracks will require a stayover because leaving at 5:30/6:00 am to drive a few hours to get to the track,making a few licks and then the 3 to 5 hour drive home has become too much for me to do.
Lost my home track,Hampton Dragway almost 20 years ago,then Englishishtown became my home track because it was the closest at 160 miles round trip. Now I'm homeless:(
So I will go to Island and see if I can get it stopped from 155+ MPH.I would like to thank you for your efforts at Island.I know you live very close and it is worth your effort to help keep that track breathing.
That Diesel Trucking Nationals became the biggest truck show around! They might consider trying something along those lines.As much as I dislike import days,,,,they do attract alot of :carrot::monkeyleft:

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I spoke to Carl ( track owner) on Saturday.
He purchased a few things from Englishtown.
Mainly some lighting for staging lanes and the back of the track which was sorely needed.
The big get from ETown was their scrubber/sweeper.
That will improve cleanup time dramatically .
 
I spoke to Carl ( track owner) on Saturday.
He purchased a few things from Englishtown.
Mainly some lighting for staging lanes and the back of the track which was sorely needed.
The big get from ETown was their scrubber/sweeper.
That will improve cleanup time dramatically .
Great news about all the renovations and construction happening at Island. Happy to hear of the effort from all involved and wish you all a fun successful race season. When people ban together for a common cause, good things happen.
Bob
 
Thanks for the updates Bob,
looks like shits happening & getting done...

You're a good guy for doing that too...
Saved another track, you are being a big part of it...
I commend you & all the people helping or donating, it all helps...
Keep up the great work...

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