To build a drag strip...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
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From: Sorrento Italy
To build a drag strip...
I'm looking at the possibility of building a drag race strip for all the kids around this area in northern spain, I'm sure it could represent a good business opportunity and would take all the youth (and fully blown adults
) out from the streets...there is great motoring enthusiasm around here but nowhere where to race in safety and without police chasing you like a criminal (while real criminals do whatever they want...).
I have absolutely no knowledge about the technical data nor safety requirements that usually are needed in building these tracks...
For example: what's the minimum total length requirement for a quartermile measured strip? what kind of tarmac is used? safety requirements? Is there a company that builds all the timing hardware (and software) under one roof?
Any website where to learn more about?
What's the cost to race a quartermile session in USA? just roughly...
All contributions and advices will be much appreciated, thanks...
) out from the streets...there is great motoring enthusiasm around here but nowhere where to race in safety and without police chasing you like a criminal (while real criminals do whatever they want...).I have absolutely no knowledge about the technical data nor safety requirements that usually are needed in building these tracks...
For example: what's the minimum total length requirement for a quartermile measured strip? what kind of tarmac is used? safety requirements? Is there a company that builds all the timing hardware (and software) under one roof?
Any website where to learn more about?
What's the cost to race a quartermile session in USA? just roughly...
All contributions and advices will be much appreciated, thanks...
Last edited by panic; Jan 16, 2008 at 01:18 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California
I'm looking at the possibility of building a drag race strip for all the kids around this area in northern spain, I'm sure it could represent a good business opportunity and would take all the youth (and fully blown adults ) out from the streets...there is great motoring enthusiasm around here but nowhere where to race in safety and without police chasing you like a criminal (while real criminals do whatever they want...).
I have absolutely no knowledge about the technical data nor safety requirements that usually are needed in building these tracks...
For example: what's the minimum total length requirement for a quartermile measured strip? what kind of tarmac is used? safety requirements? Is there a company that builds all the timing hardware (and software) under one roof?
Any website where to learn more about?
What's the cost to race a quartermile session in USA? just roughly...
All contributions and advices will be much appreciated, thanks...
) out from the streets...there is great motoring enthusiasm around here but nowhere where to race in safety and without police chasing you like a criminal (while real criminals do whatever they want...).I have absolutely no knowledge about the technical data nor safety requirements that usually are needed in building these tracks...
For example: what's the minimum total length requirement for a quartermile measured strip? what kind of tarmac is used? safety requirements? Is there a company that builds all the timing hardware (and software) under one roof?
Any website where to learn more about?
What's the cost to race a quartermile session in USA? just roughly...
All contributions and advices will be much appreciated, thanks...
The street legal drags in San Diego, CA run about $30/night for drivers, $15/night for passengers. It's as many passes as you can make in a night.
You'll need cooperation of fire and medical services in your area to come out for track days and standby in case anyone gets hurt. You'll also need track officials/referees to make sure that the cars aren't leaking any fluids onto the track, etc.
And since you're in Europe, you'd probably also have at least fairly good turnout if you opened up a road-race track, and then used one of the straights for a drag-strip on off-days. :-)
EDIT:
This is for a 1/8th mile strip, but the safety regs should carry over.
http://www.racelegal.com/web/requirements.asp
Last edited by murraybs; Jan 16, 2008 at 01:36 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Before you spend a dollar ... You'd better make certain how YOUR government approval / permitting process works ... and you'd better know it real well.
Even here in very rural and race car friendly South Carolina (and less than 20 miles from legendary Darlington Oval) ... a longtime local dragracer began developing a dragstrip on land that he had owned for many years ... a neighbor decided she didn't want a dragstrip near her ... she complained to local government ... permit was denied ...all appeals have failed ... the racer-developer has lotsa cash tied up in a project that will not proceed before the complaining neighbor moves or dies ... even then there is no guarantee a permit will be issued.
Even here in very rural and race car friendly South Carolina (and less than 20 miles from legendary Darlington Oval) ... a longtime local dragracer began developing a dragstrip on land that he had owned for many years ... a neighbor decided she didn't want a dragstrip near her ... she complained to local government ... permit was denied ...all appeals have failed ... the racer-developer has lotsa cash tied up in a project that will not proceed before the complaining neighbor moves or dies ... even then there is no guarantee a permit will be issued.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
I know exactly what you mean about studying perfectly all the permissions iussues, infact burocracy in EU is one of the cancers of the country and i have had already some (bad) experience with these matters (...for building a house and a short road...).
I must recon anyway that spain is the least of the BS in EU and burocracy is less soffocating then elsewhere...
I must recon anyway that spain is the least of the BS in EU and burocracy is less soffocating then elsewhere...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Stroker, do you think i'd have to go through FIA regulations?
I won't organize any official race course, only a kind of speed private events...
I'd have to double check this...
I won't organize any official race course, only a kind of speed private events...
I'd have to double check this...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your first step would be to contact local government to investigate the possibility and the legal steps involved. Zoning laws, concerns on noise & congestion from neighbors/local area personnel all have to be cleared before you should ever get very deep into this. If you can't clear those "hoops", forget it. You may also want to contact another drag strip owner to see if he/she could share thoughts, concerns as you investigate [assuming this strip was not a direct competitor of yours].
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Redondo Beach, California
Here in Los Angeles, a favorite and famous drag strip, Lions Dragstrip in Long Beach, was forced to close because of (I believe) noise complaints. (More accurately, I think the city or someone wanted the land back and they used noise as a justification for closing it down.) But for this strip, the real noise offenders were blown fuel dragsters. Maybe you won't have anything this noisey.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It should be as simple as paving a 3/4 mile strip and setup some lights and go racing. While the governments want to stop street racing they aren't making it any easier for someone to set up a legal dragstrip which is a big pile of
IMHO 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
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From: Sorrento Italy
[QUOTE=MotorHead
........While the governments want to stop street racing they aren't making it any easier for someone to set up a legal dragstrip which is a big pile of IMHO [/QUOTE]
I'll try to have a chat with the mayor of the city or his traffic attendant, all of these gov junk are everyday complaining about street racing BUT nobody had, until now, the idea to give all the young enthusiasts a place where express their passion...it's a bit like when we were children and there was no football field around... we used to play with the ball among the cars right in the middle of trafficked streets...
........While the governments want to stop street racing they aren't making it any easier for someone to set up a legal dragstrip which is a big pile of
IMHO [/QUOTE]I'll try to have a chat with the mayor of the city or his traffic attendant, all of these gov junk are everyday complaining about street racing BUT nobody had, until now, the idea to give all the young enthusiasts a place where express their passion...it's a bit like when we were children and there was no football field around... we used to play with the ball among the cars right in the middle of trafficked streets...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Sorrento Italy
Insurance is not my first thought here, the sistem is pretty elastic and i'm sure there will be a proper way to agree on a general contract...i should be the same insurers that cover the hillclimb races around here, i think i have good contacts.
Noice: of course the strip should be positioned outside the town, there is plenty of open space with only a few inhabitants...land is not too expensive, anyway i'd rent the land, long term, at least on 20 years contract.
If local authorities understood my plan they should let me go smoothly, i'd take out of the streets hundreds of young guys full of adrenaline who after beeing in my strip for a few races will probably return home peacefully and tired.
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
Noice: of course the strip should be positioned outside the town, there is plenty of open space with only a few inhabitants...land is not too expensive, anyway i'd rent the land, long term, at least on 20 years contract.
If local authorities understood my plan they should let me go smoothly, i'd take out of the streets hundreds of young guys full of adrenaline who after beeing in my strip for a few races will probably return home peacefully and tired.
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Insurance is not my first thought here, the sistem is pretty elastic and i'm sure there will be a proper way to agree on a general contract...i should be the same insurers that cover the hillclimb races around here, i think i have good contacts.
Noice: of course the strip should be positioned outside the town, there is plenty of open space with only a few inhabitants...land is not too expensive, anyway i'd rent the land, long term, at least on 20 years contract.
If local authorities understood my plan they should let me go smoothly, i'd take out of the streets hundreds of young guys full of adrenaline who after beeing in my strip for a few races will probably return home peacefully and tired.
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
Noice: of course the strip should be positioned outside the town, there is plenty of open space with only a few inhabitants...land is not too expensive, anyway i'd rent the land, long term, at least on 20 years contract.
If local authorities understood my plan they should let me go smoothly, i'd take out of the streets hundreds of young guys full of adrenaline who after beeing in my strip for a few races will probably return home peacefully and tired.
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
There maybe many ways to find info about your great idea, but seems you may want to contact NHRA about this. They are the largest running drag racing body in the world and maybe intersted in what you want to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I think that the cost of building a drag strip is pretty high.. Don't forget that part of the drag strip needs to be concrete and not just asphalt.. The best tracks are actually all concrete.. You'll need a 3/4 mile track and a 3/4 mile return road. Pit area MAY be paved or unpaved.
I think that the cheapest way would be to buy a abandon airstrip... Then you'ld only need to build a tower and set up timing and walls and you are ready to go.
I think that the cheapest way would be to buy a abandon airstrip... Then you'ld only need to build a tower and set up timing and walls and you are ready to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Sound and trafic around a track will be about the only thing people can complain about, so make sure that can't hurt you. Put is in the middle of no where. Preferably somewhere sound will not drag that far( like surrounded with mountains or hills..)
I live about 10 miles of the Zolder racetrack and on days when the wind goes my way, I can still hear them. Not that it really bothers me, but you do have the kind of people that complain.
As far as insurance goes, you should make everybody that comes racing, sign a contract that you are not liable for accidents during the racing event caused to drivers or their equipment.
Insurance will mainly be for the people that come to visit. Cost to prevent accidents and improve safety will be more towards them and could be high.
Anyway to keep on dreaming ... why a dragstrip ? A big oval track would be great too.
I live about 10 miles of the Zolder racetrack and on days when the wind goes my way, I can still hear them. Not that it really bothers me, but you do have the kind of people that complain.
As far as insurance goes, you should make everybody that comes racing, sign a contract that you are not liable for accidents during the racing event caused to drivers or their equipment.
Insurance will mainly be for the people that come to visit. Cost to prevent accidents and improve safety will be more towards them and could be high.
Anyway to keep on dreaming ... why a dragstrip ? A big oval track would be great too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
.......i'd take out of the streets hundreds of young guys full of adrenaline who after beeing in my strip for a few races will probably return home peacefully and tired.
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
End of illegal street races, or at least most of them would rapidly disappear...(Last weekend took a two people death toll...)
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Yes. You can have the drivers/pit crew sign releases to keep you out of legal woes....but you have to cover the folks who buy spectator tickets. They are the ones who get hurt from parts of an exploding blower or a support on the beer cart falling on someone's foot [accidentally]. They will sue you and the track, not the beer guy. All of that cr@p is the headache which will force you to hire lawyers and pay big buck$ to set up a strip. Now, if you don't allow or charge for "spectators" and have only drivers and pit "personnel" attend...that could be a different situation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Here in texas land is not so expensive not real hard to get out away
from the complaining population that can always even after its
all built been running for awhile cause problems. the differance
in Liability insurance for a 1/4 mile track or 1/8 mile is big, they know
full well cars will be running at higher speeds on the 1/4 mile track.
there is an 1/8 mile track north of me that has the land to go to
1/4 mile they are willing to make the track longer would like to
do so but the liability insurance would go up on them big time so
there not going to do it.
from the complaining population that can always even after its
all built been running for awhile cause problems. the differance
in Liability insurance for a 1/4 mile track or 1/8 mile is big, they know
full well cars will be running at higher speeds on the 1/4 mile track.
there is an 1/8 mile track north of me that has the land to go to
1/4 mile they are willing to make the track longer would like to
do so but the liability insurance would go up on them big time so
there not going to do it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
..... many of the first darg-strips were abandoned WWII era strips:
York U.S. 30 Dragway was a functioning airport while it hosted races into the '70s, with the cars moving off-track on-occasion for incoming/outgoing planes.
http://www.thevintageracer.com/30/rusty01.htm
York U.S. 30 Dragway was a functioning airport while it hosted races into the '70s, with the cars moving off-track on-occasion for incoming/outgoing planes.
http://www.thevintageracer.com/30/rusty01.htm