What is the status of the Irwindale 1/8th Mile Drag Strip? I've been hearing that it is either being relocated or closed.

Bob

Why not go to their website and check their schedule?

Went to the Irwindale Drag Race site but didn't find any information about either the 2024 event schedule or any information about them relocating the facility.

Thanks for the help Mike, I thought that someone may have heard about them moving and could provide more information.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bob

I know there is a Jr test and tune on February 10th but honestly I wouldn’t put to much credibility from anyone right now

Guess I should mention that the owner of Irwindale did purchase Kern County Racewsy

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
Guess I should mention that the owner of Irwindale did purchase Kern County Racewsy

What/where is Kern County Raceway?

West side of Bakersfield off the 5

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
West side of Bakersfield off the 5

Oh that's the little circle track out there that Harvick has something to do with...
No dragracing...

They were open last weekend for Power Tour West

quote:

Originally posted by double trouble:
They were open last weekend for Power Tour West

Irwindale or kern County?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
Guess I should mention that the owner of Irwindale did purchase Kern County Racewsy

That was a topic of conversation at the race we were at a few weeks ago. Apparently some talk of building an 1/8 mile drag facility. My understanding is the property Irwindale is sitting on has already been sold, I believe two years ago now. TO an equity firm. The land the dragstrip is on mostly apparently has some value for redevelopment, but the circle track side does not as it used to be a "dump" and mitigation is more than its worth. But no mention of the track going anywhere anytime soon.

I went to lunch with my son Mike today and we discussed Drag Strips and Circle Tracks in Southern California. Mike ran a Southwest Tour Circle track Car for many years before converting to dar racing and buying a Top Dragster. He told me that the property that the Irwindale Drag Strip sits on has been sold and will become a parking lot for the many businesses located across the street from the Drag Strip.

The new plan is to add a 1/8th mile Drag Strip on the Kearn County Raceway site west of Bakersfield off the I-5. Who will manage the Drag Strip is still undecided but it appears it might be Tim Huddelstone and/or his wife Lisa. Tim is also in line to manage the Roseville Circle Track (that would be interesting, managing two Circle tracks at the same time). In any event as it currently stands Kearn will serve as the replacement for Irwindale but since it's a 1/8th mile track would not have a LODRS event.

Bob

Other than the internet there has been no mention of a drag strip by the powers at Kern County Raceway

Well if it even happens a 1/8th mile track in Kern county will do nothing for the racers in La County losing the only track in existence

Big Steve, the value of land even a parking lot has become huge and track operators and a lot of other businesses are taking advantage of the situation. Most the racers at Irwindale won’t make the trip to Famoso so I doubt seeing them making the trip to Kern County.

During our trip to Irwindale I was really impressed with the large spectator turn out and the professional manner in which the event was run. The track prep was outstanding the 60, 330 and 660 numbers were equal to the best times the car ever made. The only concerning issue was the "Merge" of the two lanes just beyond the finish line. Other than that it is a great place to race.

I agree with Mike and Steve, very few of the Irwindale spectators and racers will be willing to venture over the hill (the Grapevine) and go to Kern during the hot summer months. You've got to be a serious hard core spectator, or Racer to stand in the sun for 8 plus hours in 108* particularly when you're not accustom to that much heat. From June through late September / early October the Central Valley is an oven.

The price of land in the LA, the Bay Area and San Diego pretty much eliminates dedicating this much area to a drag strip, the return on investment (ROI) has to be a non starter. Drag Strips have been pushed out of metropolitan areas in California and relagated to the deserts.

Bob