Island Dragway Vintage Photo Thread

Hey Guys! I grew up a couple of mile from Island Dragway in Great Meadows, NJ, watched the races there, worked there, and even raced there. My father and lots of friends were there the day Garlits broke the 200 MPH barrier. You always hear about the big name tracks in California, but I would love to see old photos from Island that any of you may have from back in the day!

I just found these pictures buried on my computer to get this started. I forgot I had these, they were shot and given to me by my good friend Alan Johnson. Many of you probably know or have heard of AJ, who has himself earned a respectful place in automotive history as a world renowned pinstriper and artist.

Enjoy the pics and let's see what you've got!

 

I'm not sure you ever "grew up" neither did your dad or me. I'll have to scan some in. I was one of the friends with your dad. Went there many times.

Did your dad tell you I let him drive my T-bucket? It was pretty cold that day!

Bill

 

It would be great if you have some photos, Bill. I'm not sure my father has any.

 

Great pictures, thanks for posting. Island Dragway was one of the places in the East where most of the touring pros wanted to run, great track with great competition.

A couple of photos show what looks like a bad dragster crash, wonder who it was and what happened...

 

Here's one from the spectator side

 

LA Dart with "Wild Bill"

 

The Melrose Missle

 

Fred Goeske funny Road Runner on the entrance road

 

4 together One repeat of the "Missile"

 

Ramchargers

 

Gassers

 

More gassers

 

Wheelstander

 

Top end push

 

Garlits & Snake. Snake being pushed into the spectator side since it was 18 years old to get in the pits.

 

Sox - Melrose

 

Blown Alter

 

The "Greek"

 

Ivo

 

Hey guys! I live about 7 or 8 miles south of Island Dragway in Washington NJ. The track is still there and runs every Sunday from Spring to late Fall. I don't think they do much racing for money. When I was there this past summer it looked like mostly club racing and just practice. Place is looking kind of run down, only small bleachers on the left side of track remain. When I was there they had cars from all the 3 surrounding states. Probably 50 or 60 cars total. Back in the early 80's I raced karts on the road course way down at the far end of the track. It was a pretty nice track except for the fact that they only used about 2- 100 watt bulbs to lite it at night. Scary shit going 50-60 mph in the dark in a kart!

 

My friend Ray Kobels all steel C/G Willys coupe circa 1964

Pat

 

not at island but this car was just pulled out of 30 year storage. it has been a race car since 1964. still owned by him

 

WOW, I remember the Half Breed didn't they haul it in a school bus modified in the back with ramps. Ran modified production with folks we used to hang with. Didn't it have a Chevy power plant. OOP's went back through the pic's and saw the Chevy emblem on the grille. That answers that.

 

was towed on a red 65 or 67 ramp truck they still have

 

Island races Saturday, test and tune,club events,etc Sunday.I ran there once in a while in the 70's and 80's my son ran there last year

 

Back in the 60's they used to have a winter event about this time of year.

 

Alter

 

55 gasser

 

Bucket leaving the track pulling onto Route 46

 

Street Sport??