Contact. 5 6, In September 1986, the Nazareth National Speedway was purchased from the Bank of Pennsylvania by Roger Penske of Penske Motorsports. It has been abandonedever since. It opened a year later in the summer of 1966, the course and area was considered among the top in Europe during that decade. Despite it being a popular attraction in its time it would close due terrible profit margins. Sadly, that space gets poorly maintained, and typically, the area is closed off only for nature to run its course. NASCAR took part at the circuit for the first time in 1949. It reopened in 2010 and hosted a few races before the doors were shut again in 2011. Many tracks have been abandoned or left to second-tier status. Nazareth will ask district court to stop speedways work., Schnatz, Pete. by ScottKo in RacingIn News, Bay Area Modifieds bringing IMCA Racing back to Emerald Coast Back in its prime things were quite different. If you havent seen it, look up Arnoux vs Villeneuve Dijon 1979 on YouTube. The Nazareth Speedway is an abandoned automobile race track in Pennsylvania. 5 6 16 Veteran Frankie Schneider won the first race. The grandstands demolished some years ago. via YouTube Some might say that these rides are better off being left behind instead of locked away in a museum. For a while, the grandstands were torn down but the track remained. It was the . It has actually been through various plans to reopen it, one scheme in 2008 suddenly changing tack and turning its back on the track completely. Related: These Are The 10 Best New Cars For Some Track Day Action. A short track in the North Carolina area, this circuit played host to various NASCAR races during the 90s. Windy Hollow Drag Strip, unlike similar named Windy Hollow Speedway, is no longer in operation. Once they were in great demand, playing host to thousands of screaming fans and booming NASCAR race cars, and considered hallowed grounds of racing history. It stayed loyal to the area until the bitter end when it finally closed in 1996. Even now, Spa is a fearsome track but it was more so in the 1950s and 1960s. However, back in 1965, production began for the Keimola Motor Stadium. It is just how things go, sometimes things get left behind so that better things can take their place. It held F1 races from 2005 to 2011 and had a fearsome reputation thanks to its awe-inspiring turn 8. Considering most old tracks vanish off the face of the earth, its fitting old Monza is still with us today. 8 10 14 Flagging growth and poor financial prospects led ISC to discontinue races at Nazareth Speedway after the 2004 season. This enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data. It has not hosted race since 2011, and today is effectively a second-hand car dealership with a large test track. Ironically, probably the best race the circuit ever saw. Like Shuffletown, this was another rural track that was used for drag racing only its located in Kentucky as opposed to North Carolina. Enjoy the article folks as we take a look at the 14 most depressing abandoned racetracks from around the world. 1-mile Nazareth National Speedway could reopen in March., Meixell, Ted. The big daddy of the lot, the Nazareth Speedway remained in operation for nearly a century beginning 1910 and closing its doors in 2004. Then in 1990, the track was paved, which made it both faster and more deadly. Today, nothing is left of the track and the grounds now have a Walmart, a public park, and a Wirtz beverage distribution center. Reims was one of the most fearsome Grand Prix circuits of the 20th century, its simple and fast nature led to many average race records being broken throughout its history. IAAP, which manufactured smokeless gunpowder and other ordinances, was the largest of its type in the world at the time of its completion. However, it was put to use as the film Cars 3 looked for a ghost track. It was a unique track to say the least. In some tracks, the current scenes look similar to Jumanji - covered in grass and forestry. Nothing exists of this track now, perhaps one of Finlands few tracks. However, the final blow was recently dealt due to a massive storm. In most cases, these current tracks look absolutely depressing. Held since the 1920s, it has been a major attraction for many of the rich folks that typically stay in Monaco either overnight or during the summer months. The Motordrome Speedway no longer gets to see any kind of racing action, at least not officially. The Facebook page, and now the Lost Speedways Community Group on Facebook . Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares passion for lost, old speedways and hopes for new tracks on NASCAR schedule. Whats still standing today makes for quite the eerie visual. For those unfamiliar with the Pebble Beach Road Races, they were held in the town of the same name in California and often took place on a series of narrow and twisty roads. Start race day with a 25 lap midget race, then a 125 lap silver crown race, a 300 lap Indycar race, and cap the day off with a 50 lap sprint race, ending just before sunset. At this point I would settle for the . Photos of the racetrack nowadays make it look like an area nobody wants to walk through late at night. 13, Vicari attempted to use the shortened track to host a series of high-paying special events for USACs Championship Dirt Cars and Modifieds, and the races drew large crowds and acclaim. Anything from Charger, Street Stock, Modified, Late Model, and Super Compact cars all ran here at some point. Racing every Friday night at 7:30. This list contains photos of abandoned and disused tracks that have mostly been left to nature. Some like the Nrburgring, Silverstone, Le Mans, and Indianapolis have become the stuff of legend and been written into folklore. History The Nazareth Speedway started as a -mile horse racing track at the Northhampton County Agricultural Fairgrounds in the 1850s. While vacationing earlier this year in Cape May, New Jersey, I came across the remains of an old military battery that was an integral part of the Cape May Military Reservation in New Jersey. 12 14 The proposal never came to fruition and the property was sold at a sheriffs sale for $205,000 in 1979. With the invention of the automobile in the late Nineteenth century, so did the desire to turn it into a recreational sport. It was a dirt track at nascence and then repaved in 1987 for bigger races. However, back in 1965, production began for the Keimola Motor Stadium. Join us as we explore 15 of the greatest NASCAR race tracks that once made history but today lay abandoned and forgotten. Grand Nationals were held here in the 50s and 60s, but by 1969, NASCAR pulled out of this track. Yet the I-70 Speedway itself has unfortunately been abandoned despite hints that it might be reopening sometime this year as evidenced by construction work. Carl Collis won the last race, a 40-lap modified stock car event on April 29, 1984. While street car racing in America dates back quite a ways, it is relatively more recent in Japan history-wise. by ScottKo in Profile Tips For Users, Interest in Grassroots Racing Grows 40% in 2014 With Great Opportunities Ahead in 2015 Though Formula One races tend to be associated with Europe South America and Britain, since these regions have their own racing championships with this particular car model, they have been held in the United States as well. The track was leased by a gas and oil company in 2017, but nothing else has really happened yet. These still exist and have been restored in recent years, even seeing occasional use during Valentino Rossis rally event at the track. Yet given the number of racing cars present, and the partially visible crowds, its clearly still being used. While there is a jogging track for NASCAR buffs to visit, most of it is covered in overgrowth. Sebastian Vettel won all three races held at the circuit. Apart from hosting the titular Daytona 500, this track is also open to the public. Additionally, It came to define French racing in the mid-20th century Urban Ghosts states. But evidence of this is hard to tell, since most of the buildings around the roads near the track have fallen into decay as evidenced by the one in the above picture. This caused the complete abandonment with no revenue stream coming in, or at least one with the funding capabilities of F1. Motordrome Speedway, for instance, was closed off in 2016 after being operated as a NASCAR track for no fewer than 25 years. Monza is fabled as the cathedral of speed, but it was even faster many years ago thanks to its banked curves. The reason for this is because Ferrari is one of the various car manufacturers who have a division that specifically designs cars to compete in the Formula One races which are held in Italy and many other places that have been highlighted in this article. Privacy Policy Updated March 2022: If you're into track days and racing, you might find these abandoned racetracks interesting - and a bit sad. Search by: City, State, Track Name, Track Type, or Track Surface and click on Search. Related: 10 Superminis We'd Bring To A Track Day Over Any Supercar. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, 20 Photos Of Abandoned Race Tracks Nobody Dares To Use, The Real Reason For Brendan Fraser's Weight Gain, The Biggest Scandal Of Tom Selleck's Career Involved Stealing 1.4 Million Gallons Of Water For His Avocado Farm, Cooper Hefner Knows The Exact Moment His Dad Hugh Stopped Being Friends With Donald Trump. At least a small part though does see some use. The former location is completely abandoned today - it appears to be a farming area covered in land. Othershave not done that. Sources: Yelp, Sporting News, Get Surrey, WTF1. Given how long it has been since some of these tracks last saw a race, they have deetiolated almost beyond recognition. The 2023 racing season runs from March to October. Related: 10 American Cars That Are Surprisingly Fun On Track Days. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Red Bull now owns the shortened, modern track and it now hosts the Austrian Grand Prix again, F1 having returned in 2014. Since then, it has been in limbo, though plans are in full swing to yet again open it for racing under new ownership. After all, both states are known for having lots of green hills further inland from their respective eastern coastlines. 5 6 14 Groundbreaking ceremonies for renovations at the new Pennsylvania International Speedway were held on October 16. Thus, race tracks were created across the world to satisfy those who would pay good money to see cars of various shapes and sizes duking it out in a heated competition to see whose car is the fastest much like the chariot races of old. The course is completely vacated nowadays and in pretty rough shape. Lets get started! This Abandoned NASCAR Stadium Is Now a Vandalized, Ghost Race Track autoevolution. The Budh International Circuit is not technically abandoned as it does hold the odd race. Download. Opened in 1970, the Ontario Motor Speedway was a relatively new entrant to the world of motorsports, built to accommodate all four major racing sanctioning authorities: NASCAR, NHRA, FIA, and USAC. After being abandoned, a part of it has been covered by a mall. Its last race in 2012 was insane, and one of the best races F1 has ever seen. This list may not reflect recent changes. The drag strip is still visible from photographs taken above. The imagination gets sparked whether it be due to the eerie scene or just thinking about what can be done with all that space. 5 6 14 The track attempted to open for the 1970 season with a 100-mile event on April 19, but it went into bankruptcy 12 and closed in 1971. For avid NASCAR fans, however, it could be fun to visit a whole list of these tracks all across the country. There is still paperwork and files there that anyone interested can browse through. Pennsylvania's Lost Raceways The passing of time has seen many tracks exist in the world. Not that he has too much free time. The course was a prominent stop for Formula One up until just a couple of years back. The track had a long series of owners in the 2000s and 2010s before it was closed off and offered for sale in 2016. Meadowdale International Raceway. Yet the place was also used for manufacturing aircraft and as an airfield (which isnt shown in the above picture). We lose people along the way, move houses or cities, and leave memories behind. Located near the city of College Station, Texas, it once held the record for being One of the USAs longest racing tracks according to Urban Ghosts. Better than nothing right? Opened in 1988, the Louisville Motor Speedway was a three-cornered track that did well in the beginning but later fell shortdue to the advancements that had been made on some of the other tracks. Jungle Park Speedway/Facebook The track operated until 1960, when it shut down for grim reasons. Marlboro Motor Raceway. The abandonment of some of these tracks isnt a pretty sight in the slightest. The Woodlands (race track) This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 13:44 (UTC). One such example is Thunderhill, which is located Outside of Sacramento according to Road & Track. By the mid 1960s the allure of the speedway had totally worn off. For any car enthusiast, they know this track like the back of their hand. After 2004, it lay abandoned with dirt piles to prevent unauthorized racing till it was bought for commercial development in 2015. Marchbanks Speedway. Despite the name implying this track is located on a mountain, its actually on a hill outside the city of Bathurst, Australia, which is a little ways north of Sydney. It was relocated to a more spacious location in 1900 and it began to host automobile polo events in the 1910s. Thus, it is quite old having opened in the early 1900s. However, these days it is completely unrecognizable. Much of the track though, is gone. Merger seems to have given France the upper hand., Walsh, Scott. Here is a list of Pennsylvania race tracks..Dont see a track listed here? Low attendance plagued the area however and by the 1980s some of the prominent race car companies stopped attending the Texas College Station. 2000-2023 Abandoned. The race was boycotted in 1969 before the old circuit held it's last race in 1970. But one thing they all did wasto race on some incredible race circuits. Without them of course, motorsport would simply not take place. Although as safety procedures with cars have improved, so have their capabilities in terms of speed so the danger of the sport persists even into the modern age. This is the same for race tracks! As you might expect most of its revenue came from F1. It was abandoned back in 2008, having initially been open since the late 1960s. Despite its current condition it is quite the spectacle nonetheless. The area is completely abandoned and making matters worse the isolation of the area really doesnt help things especially in terms of restoring the former drag strip. Grass is coming out of the same surface that wheels once raced on. Make it a 2 day show with practice and qualifying Friday, and 500 miles of total racing Saturday. 16 In 1998, the remaining wall along the back stretch was replaced, followed by the enlargement of the media center and the infield car center in 1998-99. with a new retaining wall, grandstands, and catch fence. 15 Abandoned And Forgotten NASCAR Race Tracks. It was one of the most deadly tracks the world has ever seen and did claim the lives of several drivers. Of course, the convenience of the tracks locations largely depends on where one lives and what kind of car racing they offer. According to Jalopnik this was the final dagger for the depleted race track; The storm was what finally did it. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Eerie. SRW Winternationals Weekend now a Qualifying race for ALL Classes! It was an impressive course. From 1951 all the way until 1971, some of the best NASCAR races happened here. This in turn led to A brief renaissance in 2010 following the tracks successful reopening, Urban Ghosts states, before it closed down again not long after. Like many tracks back in the 1950s and 60s, it took place on public roads and was a fabulous track for photographing drivers like Fangio, and Moss. This category has only the following subcategory. Formula Two, Interserie and Formula Vee were a couple of the racing leagues to take part at the location throughout its existence. It closed its doors and reopened with a college. This is the race track the pioneered the use of foam blocks and made crashes less risky. So long you could forgive it for being why the track closed! It was listed for $1.1 million, but no one ever took up the opportunity. After a ten year dormancy, a group made up of Lindy Vicari of the Racing Sanctioned Corporation of America, Michael Ronca, and Donald Wescott purchased the Nazareth National Speedway for $480,000 in late 1981; the smaller Nazareth Speedway continued to be operated by Fried on a lease agreement with Laneco who owned the property. Claim your FREE Tickets! It was closed in 2002 and demolished by 2005. Katuya have about 46 image published on this page. Just five F1 races were held here before it became too dangerous for the sport and its ever-faster cars. We love talking about vintage cars and once-great models that are now all but forgotten. Location: Clearfield, PA. Defunct horse racing venues in Pennsylvania (1 P) T. Tropical Park Race Track (4 P) W. . All rights reserved. The new tracks inaugural race was won by Michael Andretti on September 20, 1987. These days it just seems like a tragic waste of space. Its also one of the most endangered. 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