Pavement Rippers are on the prowl again.
Dedicated Raceway haters are rekindling plans to tear up the remaining pavement of Meadowdale Raceway. Their latest lie is a claim that this was in the original plan for developing Raceway Woods. That is pure fabrication! I have a copy of the original plan. Nowhere in it is any mention of tearing out the pavement, except as might be necessary for new building clearance.
In fact, the initial plans for Raceway Woods rather imply that the old track is not to be disturbed, with a requirement for clearance from trees and brush all around the course.
The new plan I heard is to tear out all the old paving, replacing it with a 10-12 foot wide biking and hiking path "sort of following the old track". It's that "sort of following" we need to worry about. Will they decide to bypass Doane's Corner? Or maybe skip the long main straight? Or maybe eliminate the whole north end?
And they plan to spend over $200,000 to do this! Last I heard most government bodies were in a cash bind. Where will these dollars come from?
Why not lay the 10-12' wide paving only where the old track pavement is not sound or missing? That would make the whole course walking, running and biking friendly.
Despite minimal promotion, the old Meadowdale race track has drawn many visitors. An early Corvette national convention drew 70 cars to Meadowdale with most staying multiple nights at the Baker Hotel. The dedications for the purchase of the south end of the property, the opening of the nature trails, and the completion of the Save the Silo project drew more visitors.
The auto show and festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first race at Meadowdale.was a great success, and it is expected that the follow-up event this September will be, too. These events were orderly and non-damaging to the property. even though hundreds of people and cars participated.
Even local citizens were heard to comment, "I never even knew this was here!" Foreign license plates testify to many out-of-state visitors. These people eat at our restaurants, stop at our gas stations, and stay overnight in our lodging. The Fox River Valley counts on tourism as an income producer, so what is the point of destroying this great attraction?
The Raceway haters would prefer that all traces of Meadowdale Raceway be eliminated. What will that leave? A nice piece of open space, but hardly anything unique and of special attraction for visitors.
Meadowdale Raceway was, and is, a valuable historic site. When it was open in the '50s and '60s virtually every driving hero from the USA and many foreign countries raced here. The track is mentioned in virtually every book on racing during that era.
Perhaps the track haters fear that any remnent of the old track might generate future noisey races in the future. That ain't gonna happen! The track design is totally outdated and unsafe by modern standards, plus the nearby neighbors would not put up with the noise.
Make the preservation of the Meadowdale Raceway paving an issue in the next election of the officers and board members of the Kane County Forest Preserve District, the Dundee Township Park District, and Dundee Township. And contact them now to voice your concern for the old track.
Late News - 9-21-09
At the MIRPA Show Saturday I spoke with a track-friendly commissioner. He said that the 10-12' wide paved path would extend to the entire track length. But that the solid old paving would be ground down just enough to allow the addition of the new paved path atop it. Old paving on either side of the new paving will be preserved.
He also said that grinding is scheduled to begin today, Monday, 9-21! Could a local track fan check on progress and put a light in the steeple for me or Linda Dato of MIRPA, if actual work strays far from their plans.
ALSO HEARD: An inter-governmental deal to get a surplus bridge to span "the big washout" has been struck. Hurrah! More details when I hear them. If you know more, please let me spread the good news. Thanks.
Ross Fosbender
drivingambition1@yahoo.com
