Brooklyn, NY Infamous Street Racers Back in the Day

We had one place that the cops left alone for the most part. NY 231 out in Suffolk County, it ran north-south from Deer Park to Babylon. South of Route 27 is where the racing went, mainly late on Friday and Saturday nights. They would slow down traffic or stop it. My dad lived close by and we would bring lawn chairs and beer, sat and watched from the edge of the woods. One hot night someone ran into the back of a spectator's car and the gas tank blew. I don't recall if anyone was hurt or killed, but the racing died that night.

 

I used to race sometimes up on Route 231 back in the late 70's. Those were great days. I lived in West Islip, born and raised there. I would show up about once a month or so at the Burger King or Jack in the Box north of "The Strip", up on Deer Park Ave.
My car was a maroon 350 powered 1968 Nova SS. It was the typical small block Chevy setup of the day - headers with Cherry Bomb glasspacks, Tarantula intake, ported and polished double hump heads, 11.5:1 compression running Sunoco 260 gas, 650 Double Pumper, Muncie rock crusher M22 trans, Hurst Super Shifter, a 12 bolt posi rear with 4:56 gears, "cheater" slicks, etc. I took great care in the setup of the cars suspension, and it hooked like crazy. It was a 12.7 second (best time at the old L.I. National Speedway) car back in the day when that was a BIG deal. I wasn't a real regular street racer at the time, but the times I went up there, I had a great time and some success. I had a few of these on the rear side window, too! Great times.

 

I lived in WI at the time, by the Babylon train yard, so 231 was a short walk through the woods. We would drink at The Brewery until late, then watch the races. I had a '67 Impala SS with a 327 that was fast, but not 231 fast. I also had a '66 Nova SS for a while, that I would pop slicks on and run it elsewhere, 231 was getting to be too hot. We opted to race on the Causeway south of Sunrise for the most part.

 

I probably heard you race! The house I lived in backed up to the causeway between Sunrise and Orinoco. Small world. The Brewery, there’s a blast from the past. I was WIHS Class of 76.

 

I'm close to the Causeway now, off Sandra. My little brother was in your class.

 

That "Cammer" Mustang mentioned earlier here must be the Jerry Harvey/Don Nicholson later found in a garage up north?

 

bobss396, I just set you a private message, I think I might know who your brother is. I had a High School friend who lived back there on Dogwood. He had an older brother Bob. Those were such great days racing on Rte. 231 and the Causeway. As I said, my house backed up onto the Causeway. I had a race back there one night, and when I got home my Dad was sitting on the couch awake and waiting for me. He looked at me and said "Did you win the f^&k$&g race?" Not wanting to admit what I had been doing I just looked at him and after a pause he said "I know what your car sounds like. I know it was you. Did you win?" I said yes, and in a complete surprise to me he just said "good" and went to bed without another word. We never spoke about it again. And I never raced on the Causeway again.

 

And a Buffalo version

 

Wow, never saw one of those O street shirts. That is TITS!