Speedway - Auto racing's ghost tracks

'Speedway – Auto racing’s ghost tracks' is the latest book from my good friends SS Collins and Gavin Ireland. Like the much acclaimed 'Autodrome', Speedway explores long derelict racing tracks. This time the author and photographer have focused on American tracks.

Full press release:

[QUOTE=Veloce Books]An evocative and original look at the history of eight abandoned race circuits in the USA and Europe, and viewed as they are today in stunning new photographs.

Around the world languish a number of long-forgotten raceways; windswept and abandoned, the derelict pit roads and crumbling concrete are all that remain of once great race tracks. From the NASCAR heartland of North Wilkesboro and Middle Georgia to the great European super speedways at Monza and Brooklands, these faded circuits are now monuments to the victories, defeats, triumphs and tragedies once played out before excited crowds.

With roots as diverse as Nationalist Socialism and Prohibition-era bootlegging, the histories of these places offer an insight to different times and attitudes, as well as the evolution of motor racing. Many of the characters who raced on these circuits had a profound impact on their sport; these circuits, which fostered and occasionally destroyed such great drivers, are revisited here – photographed as they are now, but also remembered in their prime by word and picture.

With over 180 images, this unique and evocative book is available now from bookshops or from [url=http://www.velocebooks.com]Veloce Publishing[/url]

Speedway – Auto racing’s ghost tracks
By SS Collins
ISBN 9781845842413
UPC 636847042417
Available now.
UK ￡35.00, USA $69.95[/QUOTE]

I remember early in the history of Long Island, NY, there was a highway that was used as a speedway because Long Island used to be a getaway (and still is) for rich folk from NY. I forgot what road it was called, but I think bits and pieces of it still remain but most of it has become a freeways or at least parkways now.

If we use freeways as racing track the cost of game or investment would be lesser but everything has consequences……….can we use it guys?

[quote=john2020;981984]If we use freeways as racing track the cost of game or investment would be lesser but everything has consequences……….can we use it guys?[/quote]

They have things like the Gumball rally, but its flawed in that you need to observe posted speedlimits. It would be difficult finding an highway that could get the support of locals as well as be entertaining to watch. It certainly wouldn't fly with many Americans, who have NASCAR anyways. European freeways are mostly congested as is (except for the autobahn, but I doubt the German gov't would allow racing on it, keeping the infamous highspeed crashes of the 1930s and 50s in mind).

[quote=Magnum9987;981992]They have things like the Gumball rally, but its flawed in that you need to observe posted speedlimits. It would be difficult finding an highway that could get the support of locals as well as be entertaining to watch. It certainly wouldn't fly with many Americans, who have NASCAR anyways. European freeways are mostly congested as is (except for the autobahn, but I doubt the German gov't would allow racing on it, keeping the infamous highspeed crashes of the 1930s and 50s in mind).[/quote]

They used to do so near Berlin until the end of the '90s.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVUS"]AVUS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

[quote=drakkie;982041]They used to do so near Berlin until the end of the '90s.
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVUS"]AVUS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url][/quote]

This is the first I've ever heard of AVUS. I had heard of the Rosenmeier (sp?) crash in the 30s, and racing on the Autobahn was banned.

[quote=Magnum9987;982042]This is the first I've ever heard of AVUS. I had heard of the Rosenmeier (sp?) crash in the 30s, and racing on the Autobahn was banned.[/quote]

IIRC it was only banned on the extremely high speeds they were able to achieve at the time on Avus. I'm not 100% sure but I think that parts of the Dekra Test Oval (next to the Lausitzring), is also partly built on a former stretch of Autobahn. The Autobahn itself was then redirected to go around it. A local told when I was there..