While it is always great news to hear of new drag strips being proposed in California, our happiness is tempered by the bleak track record of such projects in recent history. The latest project that has sprung forth is to be called the Antelope Valley Motorplex, and it looks all the world like zMAX Dragway west. The facility is being planned with a two-lane sportsman strip, a four-lane strip, two dirt ovals, and a half mile paved oval. The good news is that they’re thinking small to start with.
This track, if constructed, would be in the same general area as the old Los Angeles County Raceway, at the northern end of LA County. LACR was the place where most magazines used to do drag testing and other stuff because it was the closest place to their LA-based headquarters. Track manager Bernie Longjohn was a cult hero for his antics and willingness to open the track up on short notice.
The plan and renderings for this track are incredibly ambitious and we wish the group all the luck in the world. The last project that wasn’t even close to this magnitude was the ill-fated “Drag City” track that was to be built in Banning, California. Aside from an access road, nothing was ever accomplished with respect to building the drag strip, though the promoters did build themselves a nice dragster.
We know all about dreaming big as we do lots of that around here. Hell, we’d love to be the title sponsor of the first event held at this track when construction is someday completed.
Thanks to BangShift.com reader Booghar for the tip!
