Great news from the world of Southern California drag racing today. It appears as though the currently dormant drag strip at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California will be reopening sooner rather than later after some changes are made to appease the group of neighbors that got the place shut down in the first place. The issue, as it normally is with racing facilities is noise. The track had to agree to construct a “sound wall” down the strip among some other stuff, apparently. What we’re confused about is how a sound wall is going to do more than the big ol’ wall that can be seen in the below photo. Hey, as far as we’re concerned it is fantastic news that the track will reopen and the greater LA area, which had zero strips for a period in the spring will be back to two functional weekly drag strips again (three if we throw Pomona in there but it isn’t like they run a weekly program). That still isn’t enough, but it is loads better than zero!
As more news comes in with regard to the track, like potential reopening dates and stuff, we’ll keep you up on all the news. For now, we’re stoked to hear that all parties have come to terms and that there will be smokin’ tires again at Fontana before too long. Often, these disputes drag on forever and lead to nothing but legal muck and mire. This is a very happy (almost) ending.
“Deaf people should live next to drag strips and airports” – George Carlin
What’s on the other side of that wall? Two railroad tracks. So now the train noise bounces off the wall towards the whiners’ direction. Ah, did we make it louder? That sucks.
How much you wanna bet that the people that live on the other side of the that wall drive Prius’.
If you’ve ever seen that neighborhood it’s more “hood” than neighborhood. No Prius’s to be found.
I bet the local winers don’t even realize how much Fontana Drag Strip contibutes to the local economic revenue.
I’ll be there when it opens! Can’t wait..
The biggest whiner owns a trucking company….YES….a freaking trucking company near there…6 blocks away…..locals complain about him more than the track….his rigs fire up around 3am to pull out and several neighbors have filed complaints against him…..guess he focused his “rage” on the track…screw me and I’ll screw you !!!….Glad its resolved…or closer to it !!!
i remember hearing somewhere that auto club speedway/drag way are not wanting to spend the supposedly $700k plus on this wall in fear of the noise issues/complaints reappearing .yes this is great news for alot of drag racers even promotors like mel from PSCA as maybe this might allow PSCA pro-street and any other screw blower cars to compete there once again
Not only the cost of the wall but the ENTIRE FONTANA STAFF has either retired or is gone….This story isnt over yet….California needs tracks…but Fontana MAY NOT return anytime soon….if at ALL !
And if the wall does get built the cost will be reflected in the new admission price….it will drive the street cars away…..Support Irwindale BIG TIME…it’s running….and if Fontana opens….FLOOD THE GATES !!!…..it’s SoCals only shot to get back in the 1/4 mile game !!!