Tracks visited once but sadly never again

How far back should we go?

There used to be races at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - not the IMSA races of the 1980s-90s, but much earlier. I remember about 1965, seeing what must of been a vintage race (upright-seated single-seater, front engine cars) driving at speed around hay bails in the big parking lot. I was a little kid at the time but remember it clearly. Going back even further to the 1950's, they used to race on what was a former WWII base, now buried under what's now Torrey Pines Golf Course. Oh, and lets not forget Paramount Ranch.

I think three things have conspired to end most racing: Cost of participation, liability, and property values. It's a slippery slope, as more tracks close, interest drops, increasing the likelihood that more will close. It is what it is.

Bridgehampton in the late 60's, does that show how old I am ?

In reply to Bullfighter513 :

See also: I ran there with Skip Barber in the very early ’90s.

Nothing compares to Bridgehampton.

In reply to Tom1200 :

Ditto for Riverside, but the normal course.  Had a chance to trek out there from Dallas in 1986 for what was supposed to be "the last race" for SCCA club racing.  Managed to win my class, set a track record, and to top it off take my Dad on the victory lap with the checkered flag I got to keep! 

A friend and I ran the Disney race track when Porsche had their driving event that you can drive a few cars there. Luckily, when I went, I got to do the track stuff first because it rained right after that and they had to call it.

I think there was an exotic driving experience event there maybe not long after where someone died in a crash and Disney closed up the track

Memphis Internation Raceway- Closed 2 years ago. The road course wasn't terribly Miata friendly but at least it was a track nearby. Now I guess it's Birmingham or Nashville for me, if I decide to do a track day. Still some autoX events in Memphis.

Living in Colorado, I received my comp license at Second Creek in 1998.  The first track I drove competitively, so it holds fantastic memories.  High Planes is a great, extremely well managed track.  Please come and race HPR.  WRL runs Hallet both directions over the race weekend.  Clockwise and counter clockwise.  Good challenge with switching your mindset. VIR, Sonoma and Laguna Seca, all , not miss tracks. 

Nurburgring.  Even if you do not drive the track, TAKE a Taxi ride.  Absolutely breath taking. SPA. Probably the most beautiful track and surroundings in the world.  Be sure to hike or bike the trail around both tracks if you can.   AMAZING!! 

These are all great tracks, BUT, remember any track is great, you are doing something most people can only dream about. Drive safe, respect others and have fun.

The track I miss the most? The Bridge of course, BRIDGEHAMPTON! Raced there many times, got my first win there but now it's a f%$@ing golf course...

This article has a great photo, kudos on the selection. 

In reply to fv22 :

One of my most favorite tracks of all time.  I saw an interesting interview with the current owner. He said that they specifically designed the golf course so that is someone wanted to they could put the track back in to service. I guess he made sure not to tear up any of the track and where necessary the track was covered with sand. So you could dig it all back up and expose the track and then re pave it and restore the track. He said he did it this way in hopes that some day it could be done. 

In reply to dean1484 :

I really do appreciate keeping as much of the original circuit as possible.

The location's website (which now also hosts a concours-style event) suggests that the circuit may not make a comeback, but I'll remain hopeful.

Just as things were looking grim, a summer resident, racing enthusiast and car collector, Bob Rubin, along with The Friends of Bridgehampton took the race circuit under his wing in 1981, investing considerable sums to take care of long overdue maintenance and keep the track in useable conditions.

In 1992, Rubin acquired the entirety of the Bridgehampton Road Races Corporation and eventually transformed the circuit into the golf course that is seen today. While the glory days of racing in Bridgehampton are over, the spirit of the circuit lives on there. The most important section of the original circuit remains intact including the legendary Millstone Turn; the Chevron Bridge retains its authentic red and blue logo; the clubhouse’s interior décor is a virtual museum of motorsports and The Bridge; and in recognition of what used to be, checkered flags mark each of the 18 holes on the golf course.

Heartland. The wound is still fresh with that one.

Westwood, east of Vancouver, BC. An awesome, technical track that was a lot of fun. Very rustic facilities, but it had a nice view of Mt. Baker to the south. Now it's a housing development.

In reply to Colin Wood :

The likelihood of that track ever coming back is almost nil. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to race on that track back in the 90s in fact, I may have raced at one of the very Last actual races at that track. 

I guess I'd also add the original Moroso/PBIR to the list as well. The reborn version is fine, but nothing is ever going to match the original configuration that took you backwards down the drag strip, then turn left into the esses through the swamp. 

Although if the current configuration does find its way back to life, I'll be one of the first ones there, even if just for the nostalgia hit.

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

Definitely true for the full length course!  I really enjoyed the combination of the part outside the oval, and then the high speed coming off the banking into turn one.  Had the same gearing as the old Road Atlanta (with the dip) so the speed there was nothing new to me when I attended the Runoffs.

RacerBoy75 said:

Westwood, east of Vancouver, BC. An awesome, technical track that was a lot of fun. Very rustic facilities, but it had a nice view of Mt. Baker to the south. Now it's a housing development.

Available for AC: https://www.overtake.gg/downloads/westwood-1990.2432/

Fond memories of these lost places I was lucky enough to race at, so many airport and road courses we've let disappear.  Valkaria, Sebastion, Lakeland, Miami Hollywood, Gainesville, PBIR and its variations, same as for some of Sebring's, even Daytona with no bus stop [all were Florida courses] --- Victoria and Texas World Speedway lost. Watkins Glen {NY} also with no bus stop. What will we lose next?  PS: Even had a few non-wheel to wheel events at Palm Beach Fairgrounds where Nascar had a few races.   

Big Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell

They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot

With a pink hotel *, a boutique

And a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got

Till it's gone

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

Me too. Texas World Speedway was the first track I ran on, at a HPDE event in 2017. My car was stock, but not for long after that. TWS started my addiction.

So EZ to forget. Now that they're reviving the SCCA Targa, I was reminded that in 2017 we enjoyed tracking at Memphis International, now gone, and also ran at Charlotte and noted it had changed its road course since the 70s and is  changing it still since its 2017 layout. Fond memories.  https://www.scca.com/articles/2005604-targa-southland-returns-in-2017 That's my white Focus RS pictured.

In reply to SWGuru :

I was just about to mention Road Atlanta with the dip. I did my second school there.