Auto club dragway Fontana

[timstoy]

Just heard the drag strip is closing permanently. Had many great memories running our dragster there. Another drag strip lost.RIP.

 

[ElAzul]

Fucking liberals ruin everything

 

[Orange Juice]

Fucking liberals ruin everything

You still got Pomona.

 

[Jed-O]

Wasn't Fontana supposed to be completely redone? Shorter circle around 1 mile and then have a larger drag strip area? I don't follow Nascar anymore but last I heard they were in the process of getting rid of most of the super speedways and favoring shorter tracks.
Also with the threats of Pomona being sold and demolished, it would seem right to move to Fontana...
But it's been a long time since I have heard anything actual.

 

[X Hoser]

Wasn't Fontana supposed to be completely redone? Shorter circle around 1 mile and then have a larger drag strip area? I don't follow Nascar anymore but last I heard they were in the process of getting rid of most of the super speedways and favoring shorter tracks.
Also with the threats of Pomona being sold and demolished, it would seem right to move to Fontana...
But it's been a long time since I have heard anything actual.

Last I heard this February will most likely be the last race on the 2 mile track. Plans are to demolish it and build another 1 mile track like Bristol. It appears the road course will be gone at that time also? Not going to be the same experience without the infield RV camping. The Drag Strip has been shuttered for awhile. The property is more profitable leasing it to entities like Amazon to store their trailers. Also heard they sold off a big portion of the property but do not know the details.

This information is kinda old so not sure of the exact current status

 

[77charger]

You still got Pomona.

Their under pressure as well give it a few years tops.

 

[lf2]

I heard that it might be on hold now, guess the dirt underneath is all contaminated and it might be to costly to build the new short track

 

[timstoy]

The problem with Pomona is they only run two races a year and there national events. They haven’t had street race drags in years. No little guy racing. But they use the hotel for illegal aliens and talk of selling or subcontracting the Fairgrounds have been circulating for years. No mention of closing Bracket airport next to the track that I know of.

 

[RitcheyRch]

The problem with Pomona is they only run two races a year and there national events. They haven’t had street race drags in years. No little guy racing. But they use the hotel for illegal aliens and talk of selling or subcontracting the Fairgrounds have been circulating for years. No mention of closing Bracket airport next to the track that I know of.

The only other event was the In N Out Car show and drag race a few years back.

 

[hallett3]

Racing facilities in future for California is not looking to good.

 

[Hydroman55]

Liberals and the dirt can make more money besides racetracks. That’s why most all California tracks are gone.

 

[dread Pirate]

Fontana dragstrip is closed for good. Circle track may stay open.

Sacramento Raceway has 2 years left if they're lucky. All focus is being put into Redding for Nor-Cal.

Sonoma still hasn't said if they will have an ET series this year after it was canceled last season.

For NHRA California tracks that leaves, Barona, Irwindale, Famoso, Redding and Samoa.

 

[mjc]

CA speedway is supposed to be made into a 1/2 mile oval and the left over land will be warehouses. If the new track is ever made I will be then as I like short track racing. Az speedway just ran there last race last weekend also.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I heard this almost a year ago. Really sucks! Good thing they wasted their time building that sound wall 7 years ago....

Other motorsports events have continued on so why is it just the dragstrip gets cut? Anybody know beyond speculation?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I heard that it might be on hold now, guess the dirt underneath is all contaminated and it might be to costly to build the new short track

That is why they built the track there in the first place.. it is a brown zone. The plan was to demo the track, sell off part of the land a build the shorter track.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I heard this almost a year ago. Really sucks! Good thing they wasted their time building that sound wall 7 years ago....

Other motorsports events have continued on so why is it just the dragstrip gets cut? Anybody know beyond speculation?

It was shut down in the past due to noise. It is at the far corner of the property, and if part of the property is to be sold, that is probably part of it.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

You still got Pomona.

Pomona is nearly useless as there is no more test and tune days there.

Bakersfield is all that is left.

 

[76sanger]

The really sad thing is that "we" have all done this to the drag strips. Almost always whoever is buying these are not building homes on the property, they are building gigantic warehouses. I say "we" because all of us buy from Amazon, Ebay or.... we don't go down to the brick buildings anymore and purchase the way we used to. Plus, another thing is that yes, some of the tracks do get sold out, but for the most part they don't. I blame this on the NHRA whole heartedly, when you go to the races I will bet the age group that is there is between 50 and 70 for the most part. NHRA has priced the younger generation damn near from going to the events. NHRA needs growth from the youngsters. Our local tracks have a hell of time even getting a thousand people to show up and enjoy the show around the country. It's sad!!!

 

[Cole Trickle]

Pomona is nearly useless as there is no more test and tune days there.

Bakersfield is all that is left.

I was at the very last test and tune and that was 20 years ago.

They have had some specialty stuff like super Chevy and dodge events bu that’s it.

In all reality fontana was the last of the SoCal 1/4 tracks and it was shit in all honesty. Da sucked almost as bad as the head wind and track prep.

So cal racing is all but dead at this point….sad

 

[zbudman]

I was at the very last test and tune and that was 20 years ago.

They have had some specialty stuff like super Chevy and dodge events bu that’s it.

In all reality fontana was the last of the SoCal 1/4 tracks and it was shit in all honesty. Da sucked almost as bad as the head wind and track prep.

So cal racing is all but dead at this point….sad

This…..SoCal was the Mecca for drag racing not that many years ago.

 

[Joker]

I was at the very last test and tune and that was 20 years ago.

They have had some specialty stuff like super Chevy and dodge events bu that’s it.

In all reality fontana was the last of the SoCal 1/4 tracks and it was shit in all honesty. Da sucked almost as bad as the head wind and track prep.

So cal racing is all but dead at this point….sad

I still remember the days of streaking at OCIR and Irwindale. Those people were nuts running the track naked

 

[sintax]

Racing facilities in future for California is not looking to good.

Oh don’t worry, you’ll be able to race your golf cart in approved golf cart racing zones out at Chuckwalla

 

[Willie B]

… Gonna get some work done on my Dodge Ram Monday… The place that is working on it is directly across Glenoaks Boulevard from the former San Fernando dragstrip… It is now a weekly swap meet… but Brownies snack bar where you could get a hotdog or a hamburger and a Coke while at the races…that little building is still standing…

 

[Looking Glass]

Oh don’t worry, you’ll be able to race your golf cart in approved golf cart racing zones out at Chuckwalla

"Electric" Carts!!

 

[Cole Trickle]

I still remember the days of streaking at OCIR and Irwindale. Those people were nuts running the track naked

I missed the ocir days but raced a ton at Carlsbad ,irwindale, fontana, Pomona and famoso. Unfortunately there all but gone now. Was never much into 1/8 mile stuff at batons and Qualcomm but did that as well along the way.

 

[John McGuinness]

There is still some racing in SoCal it looks like.

 

[boatnam2]

I missed the ocir days but raced a ton at Carlsbad ,irwindale, fontana, Pomona and famoso. Unfortunately there all but gone now. Was never much into 1/8 mile stuff at batons and Qualcomm but did that as well along the way.

Don't forget big willy at Terminal island, I actually liked it best as it was close and you could go make a few passes and head home.

 

[Willie B]

Don't forget big willy at Terminal island, I actually liked it best as it was close and you could go make a few passes and head home.

… When I lived aboard…… You could hear them clear as a bell at Terminal on Friday nights.
… Friend of mine Jeff Courtie… and Lil John Lombardo… Made three passes with their top fuel funny cars at terminal Island… Jeff said it was a little sketchy getting the car stopped…yikes…

 

[RitcheyRch]

Miss the days of Lions and Terminal Island.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Who needs a costly racetrack when you can race on the streets. The police will even give you a personal escort if you like.

 

[OCMerrill]

I was at the last Wednesday night at OCIR in my BB El Camino. What was interesting is that nobody knew it was closing. Business as usual and closed down virtually overnight. Some say it was the El Toro Y being built but the fact is its always about money. Always.

As far a Fontana goes I remember Ontario Raceway as a kid. That suffered death and Fontana will the same unfortunately. The infrastructure pressure will outvalue the track.

I never got to run at Carlsbad and I always thought that place would be around forever. Oops.

 

[ToMorrow44]

The problem with Pomona is they only run two races a year and there national events. They haven’t had street race drags in years. No little guy racing. But they use the hotel for illegal aliens and talk of selling or subcontracting the Fairgrounds have been circulating for years. No mention of closing Bracket airport next to the track that I know of.

From what I understand, the city/county only allows racing at Pomona X number of days per year. Like 20 or 30 days, I forget the number. But if you figure 5 days for each NHRA event (including a weather day) then there’s only a handful of days left for the bigger events. It’s another sound ordinance thing again.

I was reading about Bruton Smith when he wanted to build the drag strip at Charlotte Motors Speedway. All the residents around there put up a huge fight because of the traffic and noise that it could bring. So he threatened to close down the NASCAR track too and everyone finally caved. It’s funny how a NASCAR track is fine, but a drag strip is a nuisance

 

[ChrisV]

From what I understand, the city/county only allows racing at Pomona X number of days per year. Like 20 or 30 days, I forget the number. But if you figure 5 days for each NHRA event (including a weather day) then there’s only a handful of days left for the bigger events. It’s another sound ordinance thing again.

I was reading about Bruton Smith when he wanted to build the drag strip at Charlotte Motors Speedway. All the residents around there put up a huge fight because of the traffic and noise that it could bring. So he threatened to close down the NASCAR track too and everyone finally caved. It’s funny how a NASCAR track is fine, but a drag strip is a nuisance

From what my NHRA cert guy tells me. Its only open for Top Fuel and thats once a year I believe. Theres a lady that lives in the hill of the track that complains. So the track flys her out for vacation to wherever she likes during the event.

 

[mjc]

From what my NHRA cert guy tells me. Its only open for Top Fuel and thats once a year I believe. Theres a lady that lives in the hill of the track that complains. So the track flys her out for vacation to wherever she likes during the event.

was the track there first? she needs to shut up unless she has been the before the track came along.

 

[boatnam2]

I bet

… When I lived aboard…… You could hear them clear as a bell at Terminal on Friday nights.
… Friend of mine Jeff Courtie… and Lil John Lombardo… Made three passes with their top fuel funny cars at terminal Island… Jeff said it was a little sketchy getting the car stopped…yikes…

I bet it was.....Big willy use to bring out that old funny car of his, never seen it run too hard.

 

[ChrisV]

There is still some racing in SoCal it looks like.

Streets aint dead forsure.

 

[RitcheyRch]

I forgot there is a drag strip in Desert Center that has been doing some events

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway

Built in 2010 Chuckwalla Valley Raceway or (CVR) is Southern California's Premier automobile and motorcycle road course that provides the ideal safe environment from the new beginner just learning to the experienced level racer.

chuckwalla.com

 

[RitcheyRch]

A picture is worth a thousand words! Why did Fontana dragway close? Now you know.

 

[4Waters]

was the track there first? she needs to shut up unless she has been the before the track came along.

I guarantee you she wasn't there before the track, the track was there before Bracket Field.

 

[4Waters]

was the track there first? she needs to shut up unless she has been the before the track came along.

Here is Winternationals Pomona 1962, there is nothing there.

@Willie B was probably there

 

[ELCHINGONROGERS]

im pretty sure the the dragstrip was there first and everyone moved there though it was a good idea then they got tired of the noise. If you dont like the noise you shouldnt move by a dragstrip.

 

[rush1]

Good ol terminal island ran there in the 80's place was a crap hole but a ton of fun.

 

[rrrr]

Here is Winternationals Pomona 1962, there is nothing there.

@Willie B was probably there

I love watching films of 60s drag racing. The names I came to know well as I grew older were the pioneers of the sport.

I had forgotten the 1962 version of Connie Kalitta's Bounty Hunter was powered by two SBCs. Jim Nelson's Dragmaster chassis was the choice of many early A/D competitors.

My parents were good Baptists, and I had to attend church on Sunday as well as three other nights during the week.

But that changed when I became fascinated by drag racing. Beginning when I was 12, on Sunday, my Mom, who was the coolest mom ever, would drive me from our house in the far NE Heights to Albuquerque Dragway, which was off South I-25. This was a big deal, because my Dad wanted me in church.

Mom overruled him. We would leave home at 8:00 AM, so she could get back home in time to dress and go to church. I would hang out at the track until the last match race between the traveling fuelers or funny cars about 4:00 PM, and Mom would pick me up a little later.

To me, there was nothing more exciting than the ritual of pushing the dragsters down the track and then turning them around. On the push back toward the starting line, the cars would be in gear to build oil pressure, then the driver would make the magneto hot. The cackle of two hemis burning nitro as the dragsters turned around and staged built the anticipation sky high.

By then, I was about to bust with excitement. Watching the pushoff and start of those fuelers was damn exciting, and they hadn't even raced yet. In today's world, with electric starters and 1,000' racing, the sport is missing some of the best parts of the drama between two competitors.

 

[Willie B]

I love watching films of 60s drag racing. The names I came to know well as I grew older were the pioneers of the sport.

I had forgotten the 1962 version of Connie Kalitta's Bounty Hunter was powered by two SBCs. Jim Nelson's Dragmaster chassis was the choice of many early AA/FD competitors.

My parents were good Baptists, and I had to attend church on Sunday as well as three other nights during the week.

But that changed when I became fascinated by drag racing. Beginning when I was 12, my Mom, who was the coolest mom ever, would drive me from our house in the far NE Heights to Albuquerque Dragway, which was off South I-25. This was a big deal, because my Dad wanted me in church.

Mom overruled him. We would leave home at 8:00 AM, so she could get back home in time to dress and go to church. I would hang out at the track until the last match race between the traveling fuelers or funny cars about 4:00 PM, and Mom would pick me up a little later.

To me, there was nothing more exciting than the ritual of pushing the dragsters down the track and then turning them around. On the push back toward the starting line, the cars would be in gear to build oil pressure, then the driver would make the magneto hot. The cackle of two hemis burning nitro as the dragsters turned around and staged built the anticipation sky high.

By then, I was about to bust with excitement. Watching the pushoff and start of those fuelers was damn exciting, and they hadn't even raced yet. In today's world, with electric starters and 1,000' racing, the sport is missing some of the best parts of the drama between two competitors.

… A push start was in itself quite a thrill… After the oil pressure had built and you flipped the mag switch…the fueler would sort of lurch and start to pull away from the push car … In with the clutch …Time to wave your arm above your helmet…so the guy driving a push car knew when to back off…
… no burnouts in my day… Up to the starting line and then every friend you ever knew decided they were part of your pit crew… And ithe slicks got a thorough cleaning…Can’t remember which friend of mine got the bright idea to use a barbecue grill scrub deal to clean the pebbles off the tires… It worked great…

 

[Willie B]

Here is Winternationals Pomona 1962, there is nothing there.

@Willie B was probably there

… there is a remote chance that I could’ve been there… But I am honestly not real sure when the first time I attended the winter nationals was???…
… I know for sure I was there in 64… One of the crazies that I’d lived with in shadow Hills had a 57 Chevy bored 60 over… In other words it became a 292 and it was a legal D modified production… The car was a consistent winner at San Fernando dragstrip …We pulled up to tech inspection at Pomona…The first thing they looked for was a scatter shield… And of course my friend did not have one …so I think we may have turned around and gone back home… but not 100% sure about that???…

 

[BUDMAN]

From what I was told they sold off 3/4 of the property of almost 600 acres or something like that. Don’t quote me on that figure

 

[Sharp Shooter]

 

[Sharp Shooter]

 

[Sharp Shooter]

 

[boatnam2]

Anyone remember the motocross track at terminal island?