75-80 Dragway

omegared24 · Sep 7, 2021

Fredcohunter said:
I try to avoid anything east of Frederick when I can so I haven't been down that way in a while but arent they building a pretty large development(s) in Monrovia that would be geographically pretty close to 75/80?

The new development is slightly north/west of the track. Unfortunately for that theory the process to open the track was never initiated. You can't just clean up a track and start running events. That's not how it works.

If he had gone through the process and been denied I'd be bitter too. At this point I'm just annoyed that he wasted my time with FB videos and posts.

GSuders · Sep 8, 2021

I know when the facebook post 1st started about opening back up their was mention of Terris Hicks signed a 2 year lease. After they announced they were done one of Roy Stanley's worker commented that a lease was never signed. I would think and hope that before you would spend any time or $ you would have some type of contract/lease. I could maybe see there would be caveat that they could clean up the place a little to determine how much really would need to be done to see if reopening was even possible. They spent a ton of time and effort cleaning up the place and were spending $ (or maybe the stuff was donated) on bleachers, starting line booth and just had painted the starting line. I don't personally know anyone involved but I don't think Roy EVER had any intentions of trying to get the zoning or apply for the needed permits as the OWNER of the property to be able to have the race track reopened. Not sure how much of this Terris knew or maybe he was just trying for a hail mary. Sure hope Roy didn't just use Terris to clean up the place and try to stir up the locals so it would be easier for him to develop the land.

71Chevelle427 · Sep 8, 2021

GSuders said:
Sure hope Roy didn't just use Terris to clean up the place and try to stir up the locals so it would be easier for him to develop the land.

My guess is that is exactly what happened...

CelticBiggie · Sep 8, 2021

GSuders said:
Sure hope Roy didn't just use Terris to clean up the place and try to stir up the locals so it would be easier for him to develop the land.

That’s a bingo

omegared24 · Sep 8, 2021

71Chevelle427 said:
My guess is that is exactly what happened...

CelticBiggie said:
That’s a bingo

That would be horrible but my wife just agreed that theory is logical. They aren't the most liked family in the area but they are certainly liked more than burnouts and noise.

Rockzilla · Sep 8, 2021

MigraineMan said:
Councilman Steve McKay posted an update on FB:

Frederick County what a joke.. If they really wanted to do it they could
do it. How many developments, have sprung up in flood plans? Just a
thought...

-Rock

THier · Sep 10, 2021

Hearing this might be a no-go now. Glad Cecil is 12 miles away.

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/n...cle_dc348033-5529-5ea5-86fb-4c3c1e7f36df.html

Biggfoot44 · Sep 10, 2021

I wasn't there , didn't hear any conversations , or read any documents , etc . But from available information , and plausible thought processes :

IF, they could have restarted limited operations with minimal improvements , it would have been win/ win/ win . Either in thinking previous zoning still applied , or figuring it would fly under the radar .

Applying fresh for a Special Exception ( or whatever Fred Co calls it ) would require time , political influence , lobbyists , and probably quasi bribery . aka significant initial outlay .

Whole different finiancial calculus to figure up front outlay w/o certain results vs potential medium term profits if successful . Essentially would need to have a big time opperation with good profits to be worthwhile .

IF landowner was to obtain zoning , and improve site , he could / would demand a generous lease from race promoter .

IF a deep pocket promoter willing to roll the obtain zoning and other approvals on their own, would need very favorable long term lease to be worthwhile .

Did one side or other or both know about expired zoning ? Dunno . Would that effect anything going forewards from here ? No .
.
20/ 20 hindsight - After previous closure , should have gone every 4th of July , had two dirt bikes drag race 100yds , with $10 prize money AND one spectator , to keep alive exemption for professional motor racing .

Off the wall current idea -

Use the commercial zoned portion for ATV/ Dirt Bike operations . Either open to public for fee , or add occasional competitions . Definitely a demand for such within proximity to the metro area .

MigraineMan · Apr 17, 2023

Some activity has happened. They tore down the starter's shack, and demolished almost everything on the spectator side. Debris has been removed, and the excavator is gone. Some bleachers and the brick shlthouse remain. Need to run a mower through the paddock area ... grass is getting tall.

MaxVO2 · Apr 17, 2023

MigraineMan said:
Some activity has happened. They tore down the starter's shack, and demolished almost everything on the spectator side. Debris has been removed, and the excavator is gone. Some bleachers and the brick shlthouse remain. Need to run a mower through the paddock area ... grass is getting tall.

*****That area has changed a lot these past few years and I can't imagine the new locals wanting a drag strip opened in their back yards at this point. I have many memories (most good!) of 75-80, and was sorry to see it shut down.

Hopefully it opens back up, but the cost of running that business was very high and re-startup costs plus permits, etc.. would not be cheap now. I would also think to attract events they would need at minimum new concrete launch pads, modern timing systems, and multiple bays, etc... to potentially make it profitable for more than just locals.

chilipeppermaniac · Apr 17, 2023

MaxVO2 said:
*****That area has changed a lot these past few years and I can't imagine the new locals wanting a drag strip opened in their back yards at this point. I have many memories (most good!) of 75-80, and was sorry to see it shut down.

Hopefully it opens back up, but the cost of running that business was very high and re-startup costs plus permits, etc.. would not be cheap now. I would also think to attract events they would need at minimum new concrete launch pads, modern timing systems, and multiple bays, etc... to potentially make it profitable for more than just locals.

Maybe Baltimore City can fund it. We poor underprivileged Drag racers need to be taken off the streets and to have a diverse, inclusive and equitable place to drive our cars fast.

GTOGUNNER · Apr 17, 2023

Drag Racing Track in Crofton, MD | Capitol Raceway

Capitol Raceway in Crofton, MD has been hosting drag racing events for racing fans and families since 1964. Visit our site today to learn more.

thecapitolraceway.com

BADSHOT · Apr 18, 2023

Sadly I don't think it's ever coming back

71Chevelle427 · Apr 18, 2023

BADSHOT said:
Sadly I don't think it's ever coming back

It's not.
The guy who salvaged Capitol Raceway had the money and desire to reopen it, with many volunteers, started cleanup of the property, only to be basically forced to abandon the idea by county officials.

Unfortunately, his re-opening & running of Capitol Raceway has been lackluster at best.

Many so-called racers cried that there was no place to race, then haven't supported him at all. My son and I have been there a few times, but the schedule consistency basically sucks. The place is a $hitshow for the most part.

Meanwhile Cecil is installing new (long overdue) bleachers and other updates. If Capitol was ran half as efficiently as Cecil, it'd probably be successful.

BADSHOT · Apr 18, 2023

I know what you mean I've been there also. Fortunately Mason Dixon is still up and running.

GSuders · Apr 18, 2023

If I was a betting man I'd bet the farm 75-80 is NEVER going to reopen. It's amazing all the people that say about it opening it back up, etc. If there was that much support and what not why wasn't more tried to do to reopen it, or keep it open. I know the Wilcoms had some health issues or something that's why they shut it down back in 2005, or that's what I've heard. Luckily we still have some decent race tracks around we can go to, but some of the owners run them poorly. You need to treat the racers as customers and do things to make them want to come back and treat them right. The cost to be a racer anymore is not cheap even for a low buck ride. I'm a bracket racer and I honestly don't think bracket racing is covering the tracks cost anymore, but they were the ones who help support tracks for years. Seems Test and Tune and special street events and such are where the tracks are making $$ to help cover most of their cost.

ezracer · Apr 18, 2023

Well, I guess I'll just have to go to York US 30 Drag way.

. Long gone actually, but it was a happening place with my '68 Charger R/T (440 wedge) back then, back when.

etc1006 · Apr 18, 2023

I can hear them running at Capital at times from my office. Sometimes if the wind is right and they have a large enough turnout I can smell the rubber... However I can also hear them running just about any day during the day. From what I've seen/heard its also become a "private" hangout for his buddies to have their own private races/test n tunes. i.e. Hence I can hear them at 1pm on a Wednesday?.. And the constant changing of the format (back o' the track, etc).... Was a fool for spending a penny on 75-80 before a single lick of work was approved/signed.

BADSHOT · Apr 19, 2023

I heard he was going on the promises of Mr Stanley taking care of things on his end. Terris just wanted to get the track opened. He originally approached the owner of Capitol but they said no.

Mightydog · Apr 19, 2023

BADSHOT said:
I know what you mean I've been there also. Fortunately Mason Dixon is still up and running.

Yessir! Went there yearly when opened and I lived in Myersville. This months schedule.

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