Old Bridge Township Raceway Park

Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, originally known as Madison Township Raceway Park, is an American auto racing facility located in Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, (with an Englishtown ZIP code), in the New York metropolitan area.

History

Raceway Park was founded in 1965 by Vincent Napoliello and Louis Napoliello.[1] The site was originally 308 acres on 230 Pension Road, just off of County Route 527 (now Englishtown Road). Since then it has grown to 500+ acres with multiple motorsports activities. The track opened with a single 1/4 mile dragstrip. Raceway Park offered 2 dragstrips, 3 motocross tracks, a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) road course track, competition go kart racing track, autocross track, ride and drive site and adjacent Old Bridge Airport.

Their radio and television commercials featured the slogan: "Ah ha ha ha ha ha Raceway Park!" and "Rrrrrrrrraceway Park! ... Be there!".[2][3] Raceway Park "is one of the most fabled drag strips in America, and it ranked among the country's top five tracks".[2]

Raceway Park previously hosted the SuperNationals of the National Hot Rod Association for Funny Car and Top Fuel competitions, as well as other drag racing events. In January 2018, NHRA and Raceway Park officials announced that the venue will cease hosting all drag racing events due to rising costs. Areas specific to drag racing will be converted to outdoor concert space. All other areas of the facility will remain operational, such as the drift track, go karts, motocross, etc.[4]

Racing events available

As of January 17, 2018 Raceway Park no longer hosts drag racing events of any type

Drag racing

The two dragstrips on the property are CLOSED

The 1/8-mile track was the host of junior dragsters and "trophy" classes.

The 1/4-mile track was the host of everything from street-driven vehicles to the quickest in the sport, the top fuel dragsters.

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

Year Date(s) Event Category Winning Driver
1986 July 10−14 17th NHRA Budweiser Summernationals Top Fuel Darrell Gwynn
Funny Car Kenny Bernstein
Pro Stock Warren Johnson
1990 July 5−8 21st NHRA Budweiser Summernationals Top Fuel Gary Ormsby
Funny Car Chuck Etchells
Pro Stock Darrell Alderman
2006 June 15–18 K&N Filters SuperNationals [5] Top Fuel Rod Fuller
2007 June 21−24 38th ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals Top Fuel Larry Dixon
Funny Car Tommy Johnson, Jr.
Pro Stock Greg Anderson
Pro Stock Motorcycle Craig Treble
2011 June 2−5 42nd NHRA SuperNationals Top Fuel Spencer Massey
Funny Car Mike Neff
Pro Stock Allen Johnson
Pro Stock Motorcycle Matt Smith
2016 June 9−12 47th NHRA Summernationals Top Fuel Steve Torrance
Funny Car Ron Capps
Pro Stock Greg Anderson
Pro Stock Motorcycle Angelle Sampey
2017 June 8-11 48th E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Summernationals Top Fuel Steve Torrance
Funny Car Jack Beckman
Pro Stock Greg Anderson
Pro Stock Motorcycle Jerry Savoie

Motocross

The riding surfaces on the practice motocross tracks are mostly soft loam, which is known to be one of the best surface for a nice ride, and are slightly angled to allow for drainage. The tracks are also regularly maintained to keep the jump faces, bowls, and whoops from rutting and cupping out. The tracks provide both good length straight paths for speed as well as challenging obstacles like off cambers, banks, ledges, ditches, and more.

Drifting

Drifting is hosted by a company called ClubLoose; they have been running events there since 2002, which started off in the parking lot, but now take places only on the road course. With different classes ranging from introductory, intermediate, and the top level which allows tandeming with other drivers on the track simultaneously. Both the car and the equipment being used by every driver get inspected prior to being allowed to participate. Rear-wheel-drive cars are the only cars that will pass ClubLoose technical inspection.

Event schedule

Raceway Park offers a series of car shows, concerts, mud runs, motocross and swap meet events throughout their season. In the past every Wednesday and select Friday nights they had Time Trials where the track was open for anyone who would like to race their cars, bike, etc. for practice.

Former Rules and Regulations

As of 2018, no Racing is held at this venue, so these rules are no longer applicable

'Helmet rules

There are specific helmet specifications that are required when racing at Englishtown. Englishtown follows the NHRA's regulations.

The NHRA 2010 Rule Book Reads as follows for Helmets and Goggles: As outlined under Class Requirements, drivers in all classes, including motorcycles, must wear a helmet meeting Snell or SFI Specifications. SFI Spec 31.1A = Snell SA, open-face helmet SFI Spec 31.2A = Snell SA, full-face helmet SFI Spec 41.1A = Snell M, open-face helmet SFI Spec 41.2A = Snell M, full-face helmet

Full face helmet are mandatory for all cars that have a 1/4 mile time of 9.99 or quicker. A helmet shield is mandatory for any car that is 7.49 & quicker.

Cars that run a time of 13.99 or quicker must use a helmet meeting Snell 2000, 2005, 2007 or SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, 31.1/2005, 41.1A, 41.2A or 41.1/2005 Specs.

For Drivers in supercharged, front-engine, open-bodied cars and Funny Cars must wear a helmet meeting Snell SA2000, SA2005 or SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, or 31.1/2005 Specs.

Dress Code When Drag Racing

According to Raceway Park, you must be wearing long pants (no shorts allowed). Sweat pants are allowed to be worn, however they cannot be made of Nylon. Also all shirts worn must have sleeves. No tank tops are permitted to be worn while racing.

Cars Powered By Forced Induction

For all cars that are Turbo Charged, Supercharged, or using Nitrous Oxide require the driver to wear a fire jacket or they will be unable to race. (This is only the case for non-factory vehicles. Factory turbo or supercharged vehicles are exempt unless upgraded.) Nitrous vehicles must abide.

Incidents and accidents

References

  1. ↑ "For Fans Around Raceway Park, What's Loud Is Not Always Noisy". New York Times. August 8, 2004.
  2. 1 2 "Raceway Park; In These Lanes, 200 M.P.H. Is Slow". New York Times. August 23, 1999.
  3. ↑ "Raceway Park commercial". WABC (AM). 1969.
  4. ↑ "After 53 years burning rubber, drag racing ends at Raceway Park". NJ.com. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  5. ↑ "Fuller Wins Top-Fuel Event". New York Times. Associated Press. June 19, 2006.
  6. ↑ "Scott Kalitta, Drag Racer, Dies in Crash". New York Times. Associated Press. June 22, 2008.

See also

Coordinates: 40°19.985′N 74°20.922′W / 40.333083°N 74.348700°W / 40.333083; -74.348700

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