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75-80 Dragway Pics #72157
06/12/08 05:09 PM
06/12/08 05:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493 Offline OP
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Kevins493  Offline OP
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MD
Since it was a nice day I figured I'd take a look at what became of 75-80. As many of you know, it closed in 2005, but as these pics show, it looks as though it's been closed for 15 years, not 3.

Ticket booth on the pit side. This is where you got your tech card. Note the "Keep Out" sign. Lawfish, please don't arrest me.
After I ducked under the gate, I was able to take these pictures:

Pits to the left of the gate. In the distance you can see the shutdown area. Directly in front of the shutdown area is where most of the people I know used to pit. If you have really good vision (and if the pic's good enough) you can probably just see the ticket booth where you would've picked up your timeslip.

Another view of the pits showing the scoreboard. In the background is the covered spectator area. Just to the left of the scoreboard (and far enough behind it to be out of the picture) is the go-cart track. The building off to the right is the concession stand. The staging lanes would've overflowed into the foreground on most weekends.

Staging lanes. To the left is the timing tower and the grandstands. From left to right would've been test/tune, trophy, street, pro, and s/pro. racers had to make a 180 degree turn onto the track. People used to park along the fence to the right and stand on their trucks to watch for free.

Turn onto track. To the right is the burnout box. All cars had to back into the burnout box. Spectators used to stand behind it (I guess it was one of the few tracks that would let you do that. Dragsters using lane 1 had to turn into lane 2 and back up because the turn was so sharp. Wilcom didn't change a thing since the track was built, and it obviously wasn't meant for modern rails or anything as fast as what was run there for that matter.
View down the track. Tower closest on the left was just a timing tower where the computers,etc that ran the chrondek (they never changed it) timing system was located. The tower farthest away was where the announcer sat. The track had a short shutdown area; the top of that hill was the end. Return road ran through the woods before re-entering the pits at the 1/4 mile finish.

View down lane 2. Some members here might remember this view.

View of starting line showing where the famous shack the starter sat in was (between the guardrails and the wall down the middle of the track.) The chair the starter sat on is still there, rusting away.

Jr. dragster staging lanes. I still remember my first time sitting here, waiting for my first run. The jr. dragster pit area is in the background. The bathroom is off to the left.

Spectator side grandstands. The only things here that reveal how recent this track was open are the signs.

To the left of the grandstands. The building with the red covered windows was the concession stand on the spectator side. Again, the covered area was spectator seating. The jr.dragster return road is completely overgrown.

Timing tower/ announcer's booth still has track logo painted on. If I would've taken pics of the spectator entrance they had an old-style coke sign, which probably wasn't changed since the '60s either.

Anyone hungry? Track menue- pit side.

Get your chili cheese dogs here. You 75-80 racers know what I'm talking about. Everyone else doesn't have any idea what they missed out on.
And so ends our tour of 75-80. Didn't want to stay too long since I don't know any cops in frederick county....

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72158
06/12/08 05:33 PM
06/12/08 05:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 842
Baltimore,MD
Bill_LBSR Offline
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Baltimore,MD
I could definately go for a chili cheese dog right about now. Sad to see that place like that. Wish they would do something with it instead of it just sitting there getting overgrown with weeds.


LBSR
Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72159
06/12/08 05:36 PM
06/12/08 05:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,348
Mt.Vernon ,Ohio
VernMotor Offline
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Mt.Vernon ,Ohio
Allmost sad to look at..Why did it close? can't someone save it ? I would cry if our's ever got like that..

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72160
06/12/08 05:54 PM
06/12/08 05:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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BradH Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
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Val-haul-ass... eventually
If it was still open, it would be the closest 1/4 mile track to my home. I won't lie and say it was the best (or my favorite) track around here, but having it open beats it turning into another weed-infested chunk of abandoned real estate.

I'd heard from a friend who still lives close to the track is that it was supposed to be turned into another new housing development, so I'm a bit over the lack of construction activity since it closed.

Oh, and those chili-cheese dogs were killer!

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: VernMotor] #72161
06/12/08 05:54 PM
06/12/08 05:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,551
baldwinsville new york
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a493demon Offline
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baldwinsville new york
cool pics.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: VernMotor] #72162
06/12/08 05:55 PM
06/12/08 05:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,333
MARYLAND
69Cuda340S Offline
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MARYLAND
I used to work with Ron Wilcom, one of the owners sons. He said his dad was totally burned out from running the place for so many years. His dad worked like every weekend for like 40 years or something crazy like that. No one else in the family wanted to run it and he didn't want to hire someone to run it. So he shut it down. I haven't talked to Ron in a few years but I believe the Wilcoms still own all the property and its not for sale. They also own a lot of property that surrounds the drag strip too.

Really sad to see it shut down because I would get there in less then an hour from where I live.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: 69Cuda340S] #72163
06/12/08 05:57 PM
06/12/08 05:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,333
MARYLAND
69Cuda340S Offline
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MARYLAND
If you watch Motor Week on Maryland Public Television they still do their drag strip testing there.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: VernMotor] #72164
06/12/08 05:59 PM
06/12/08 05:59 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,745
Maryland
340_Dart Offline
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Maryland
Hey Kevin, Nice pics.... It's sad seeing old 75-80 in that condition... That's what land developers and condo's do to our tracks. I never got a chance to race there, only spectate.
My dad always tells stories of driving his 69 hemi roadrunner down there in the early 70's on a wednesday night, racing, and then driving home that night to be at work the next morning (approx. 100 miles each way)...

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: 340_Dart] #72165
06/12/08 06:58 PM
06/12/08 06:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493 Offline OP
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MD
It is about 25 min. from my house..I know Bill had cancer for awhile and I heard that's why he closed it. Could be wrong. The land will never pass all the environmental tests they do before you build on it. If y'all wanna invest, I can reopen it. As it sits it probably needs to be repaved, basically everything will have to be rebuilt so you can get NHRA to sanction it and to get insurance.

Of course we can just go in with a weedwacker and clear it out so we can have flashight drags.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: 69Cuda340S] #72166
06/12/08 07:23 PM
06/12/08 07:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck Offline
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Brookeville, Md
Quote:

I used to work with Ron Wilcom, one of the owners sons. He said his dad was totally burned out from running the place for so many years. His dad worked like every weekend for like 40 years or something crazy like that. No one else in the family wanted to run it and he didn't want to hire someone to run it. So he shut it down. I haven't talked to Ron in a few years but I believe the Wilcoms still own all the property and its not for sale. They also own a lot of property that surrounds the drag strip too.

Really sad to see it shut down because I would get there in less then an hour from where I live.



This is the truth. I talked to Bill the last day the track was open. Truely a sad day for me. Bill was pumping gas and I asked how come you are closing? You are always packed. He said this is why.... I can't get any help. I guess when the owner of the track is pumping gas on the last day his track is open that says something. Shame. My dad and his freinds raced there, I raced there I was hoping my son could too. Not sure if it's for sale but I could find out. I would gladly front some cash to re-open it. Say what you want, it was fun.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Mr.Yuck] #72167
06/12/08 08:09 PM
06/12/08 08:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,505
God's Country Maryland
GODSCOUNTRY340 Offline
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God's Country Maryland
I heard the track was to be sold to a housing developer but once the developer learned he was not going to be able to get any building permits the deal fell through. Too many new homes going up in Frederick County, not enough water for them all. There are rumors the track may re-open.


I love the smell of Deer guts in the morning, it smells like... VICTORY!
Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: GODSCOUNTRY340] #72168
06/12/08 08:18 PM
06/12/08 08:18 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,628
Columbus, Ohio
wheelsup68dart Offline
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Columbus, Ohio
Don't exactly know the layout of MD, or the tracks, but how much distance separates MIR and 75-80? It is a shame to see this track be closed, really looks like a decent layout.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: GODSCOUNTRY340] #72169
06/12/08 08:21 PM
06/12/08 08:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,557
Fulton County, PA
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CMcAllister Offline
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Fulton County, PA
Lots of Friday and Saturday nights spent there, lots of races over the years. I had to go the last weekend for a "Thanks for the Memories" shirt. It's sad but I guess all thing must pass. Don't expect to see it opened. RIP 75&80.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: GODSCOUNTRY340] #72170
06/12/08 08:26 PM
06/12/08 08:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493 Offline OP
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MD
Quote:

I heard the track was to be sold to a housing developer but once the developer learned he was not going to be able to get any building permits the deal fell through. Too many new homes going up in Frederick County, not enough water for them all. There are rumors the track may re-open.



That is very interesting because I was just talking to a guy in my neighborhood that has a 383 dart. He said his brother is friendly with the current owner (land's been sold twice since it closed) and said the current owner is talking about re-opening.
Lonnie, they gotta be 2 hrs apart. MIR is 1hr 45 min from me, 75-80 is 25 min almost the opposite direction. Capitol is a decent track 45 min east of me (75-80 is west of me). Mason Dixon is another 35-40 min west of 75-80. Cecil County is way in the northeast corner of Maryland and is over an hour away.

Last edited by Kevins340; 06/12/08 08:31 PM.
Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72171
06/12/08 10:05 PM
06/12/08 10:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,008
wv
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Dartcuda Offline
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wv
That is correct . There is the rumor that plans are being made to reopen but as a 1/8 mile track . Original owner would have to be involved for necessary permits.

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Dartcuda] #72172
06/12/08 10:09 PM
06/12/08 10:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493 Offline OP
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MD
Were they gonna repave or was the shutdown the issue??

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72173
06/12/08 10:30 PM
06/12/08 10:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,745
Maryland
340_Dart Offline
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That would be awesome if it were reopened...

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: 340_Dart] #72174
06/13/08 12:09 AM
06/13/08 12:09 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,996
s. e. pa.
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calrobb2000 Offline
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s. e. pa.
hi
had one of the coolest anuel mopar events there every year :

car show

drag racing

flea mkt

burn out contest

also always had a dealer sponsered race you could enter same day for free and win some cool prizes !
i still have some of the t shirts ,tropheys and hats i got for wining rounds but the money is long gone .

also in the early years i remember wet t shirt contest on the starting line !

it was always a fun day and at that time best part was entry fee was $15.00 for most to race and i believe spectatos was $5.00 .

verry sad to see track in that condition .

Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: Kevins493] #72175
06/13/08 01:10 AM
06/13/08 01:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,548
DC, MD Suburbs
440PURSUIT Offline
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DC, MD Suburbs
Spent many weekends there and won alot of trophies.... so did Jeff. I always wonder if it will reopen! Here's a cool pic of the Hemi Roadrunner the month of closing!

4485517-7580.bmp (459 downloads)

1969 Hemi Charger R/T,
1970 Charger 472 Hemi 6 Sp
1969 Charger Pro Tour Project
1971 Barracuda Convert
1970 440 6pack Superbird,
1968 Fury I Police Pursuit 440 Super Commando 2 door sedan (Black/Blue)
1967 Barracuda Convert
1968 Barracuda Coupe
1972 Charger w 383
1972 Sebring Plus 440-6 Clone
1969 Coronet Pro Street
2009 Challengeer SRT8 stick
1992-1986 Body 2500 4x4 440 stick
1982 Ramcharger 318 Sniper- getting enhanced.
1997 Ram B3500 Van 5.9
1991.5 W250 Cummins- Big Chief
Re: 75-80 Dragway Pics [Re: 440PURSUIT] #72176
06/13/08 01:43 AM
06/13/08 01:43 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493 Offline OP
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Kevins493  Offline OP
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MD
Pic no worky.

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