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Quaker City Raceway Info (1 Viewer)

FC138fan

FC138fan

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Being that that track was the one where I got my first drag racing memories, I've been watching it over the years. All I can do is wonder what's going on with that track.

I've been on a kick recently looking up info on old dragstrips that have bit the dust (Minnesota Dragways, Pittsburgh International Dragway), both which have had relatively short life spans. I keep wondering about Quaker City.. which when you look at recent aerials and pictures, looks like it is in the same if not better shape then I remember it being (nearly 15 years ago now).

But although the facility is there... theres not really a good event that I'd want to take the drive from Pittsburgh to Salem to watch. My question is why does that facility not have an event worth going to? It's not an NHRA, IHRA, ADRL, or AHRA strip... its like its just a drag strip without a home.

I used to go there once a year to watch the NHRA div 3 race there - that was worth the drive. How did the track lose its association with the NHRA? Why did they stop the div 3 race? Why hasn't the IHRA, NHRA, AHRA, ADRL gone there to run an event? Is it bad management? Is the facility sub par? Is it a bad location for fan turnout?

I don't get it.. theres nothing going on there yet the facility still stands where those tracks mentioned above that have bit the dust seemed to be jumping when they died. What is the future of this track? Does anyone know?
 
It was an IHRA sanctioned track for a while, but I don't know how long it was IHRA. I worked an IHRA divisional event there two years ago, so it hasn't been unaffiliated for very long.
 
Registered member said:
It was an IHRA sanctioned track for a while, but I don't know how long it was IHRA. I worked an IHRA divisional event there two years ago, so it hasn't been unaffiliated for very long.
Click to expand...

What kinda cars did they run at that IHRA div event? What did the attendance look like? What did the facility look like? I saw that it was an IHRA track at one point, but it isn't listed anymore as an IHRA track and there is no mention of it on their site.

Does anyone know why the IHRA left? Why the NHRA left? How does a track lose sanctioning?
 
the place was inches away from closing but they were able to resolve their issues only to take a chance and become AHRA sanctioned (debacle), which is why they are currently unsanctioned
 
Ok here's what I remember about the track. My 1st time there was around 1976 we had a Div 3 Pro-Am F/C race there. The place was immaculate like a country club. I went back to a Div 3 race in around 97 to help a friend in TA/FC and again In 2000. That week and weekend it rained like crazy. On and off the whole time. The show was running way late, and the track owner insisted on letting the JR Dragsters run before the big guys. Well that didn't go over to well with the Div 3 NHRA crew and a big blow up happened. A very short time later I heard the track switched to IHRA. The track owner passed away they had a big auction with lots of muscle cars and other toys. If I remember right I heard a rumor that a relative of Sammy Swindell bought the track. That is the end of my knowledge of the track
 
I don't live to far from it and there is some dealings going on with the city of salem. I don't think they know what the race track is doing. A big mess as of right now. I never really cared for it because of doing a burnout going up hill.
The Snake ran there back in the 70's. My dad had picture of Snake mixing his fuel and working on the funny car.
 
I looked at the AHRA website and Quaker City is listed as one of their tracks. What is up with the AHRA, are they an upcoming sanctioning body or just an alternative thing?

Does National Trail Raceway have any thing to do with the NHRA leaving Quaker City? Since the nationals moved to Norwalk, National Trail seems to be running what Quaker City did, and Quaker City isn't really running much.

Is it simply a management thing? With better management could that track return to hosting an NHRA national event? Is that place big enough to host an IHRA national event? Wouldn't that be cool?

I remember the uphill burnout too, created a unique situation for the fans. The alcohol cars were the big dogs at those divisional events, and they would fire them at the bottom of the hill, where you couldn't see them, but you could hear em... Then they would come idling up the hill and hit it right as they came into view, what an entrance! Ive been reading that half that track is uphill too.. what a unique track.

I also read about the dealings with the City of Salem. I read that they want to turn the track into an industrial park. What a shame that would be. I can start to imagine how the old timers feel when they talk about all the tracks that have long been destroyed or developed.

Does anyone have any older pics ftrom the track? I haven't found anything around the internet (old pics that show the old white tower right at the start, the old stands etc.)
 
The last few times i went by there on the motorcycle it looked like a ghost town.
I can remember seeing all the cars going by the house on the way to quaker.
Anymore you don't see to many at all.

It was annexed into the city of salem. They plan to build an industrial park around it. The owner Swindell (i think) is trying to sell it and keep it a drag strip. With they way the economy is in this area. It is going to be a hard sell.
 
Did I read right that he bought the entire dragstrip for $460,000? I have pretty much no knowledge when it comes to property investment, but just for the land alone I would think it was an insane deal. On top of that you get a drag stip, tower, several buildings.. and isn't there a house on the property too?

Nice to see he wants to keep it as a drag strip. I wonder if he could make more money selling off the property for housing or something like that. I hope he has success and someday we can go back there for something similar to what they had through the 90's.

What exciting news! Hopefully he gets the new site up and keeps the public informed on the progress.
 
Yep he bought the whole drag strip and property and some of the equipment for 460,000.

They were talking maybe an indian casino but it was just talk.
the city of salem wanted to make an industrial park out of it.

we will see what happens.
 
Happy to see Quaker City get another chance. If Norm runs the track like he has his salvage business it will be a success.

Next summer I may have to jump on the Harley and go back to Ohio for a couple of weeks.
 
My wife and I spent our honeymoon there in 1977. I have raced there since the late 60's. I have watched the ups and downs of the track over the years. I am glad to see it get another chance. It is a well groomed facility worthy of at least a divisional event although I don't believe it has the room for much more. I have raced there off and on all of my adult life. I only live 8 miles from it. A good promoter and a great announcer (Leo) will make the place come to life again. It needs some TLC, especially on the racing surface. I wish I had time to contribute to its comeback. The truth be known, it is very expensive to operate a top alky car these days. I'll try to get out a few times this year. I'd like to see them go back to class racing like it was years ago. If you want to see some old time pictures of the tower, go to Doug's 57 Classic Restaurant in Alliance. they have a few pictures hanging on the walls. Best of luck to the new owners. I look forward to meeting them.
 
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