Isn't it amazing. You buy a house next to a race track, and then you complain about the noise. What ever happened to "Buyer Beware"?
When they built this track over 50 years ago, it was literally in the middle of nowhere. Dirt roads to and from, the real deal. Houses have been built closer and closer over the years. In fact, 2 years ago, there was a proposal to build a “house of worship” literally across the street from the track, complete with “meditation rooms” and apartment for those on retreat. The track responded “Do you know what we do here?” Legal battle ensued, again. More time, headaches and, probably most importantly, money spent to fight.
To be fair to the people around the track, not everyone complained. I’ve heard from several in that area who claim that the sounds of the track were sounds of their summers and they loved it. I’m not sure when it was instituted, but people wishing to buy a house in Manalapan, NJ (town just south of track) had to sign a document as part of their closing that they were aware the track was there and they were accepting what came along with that awareness (I.e. noise, occasional traffic jams, etc...).
Since they didn’t state a reason and they only shut the 1/4 & 1/8, it is my belief that several economic factors led to this.....rising insurance for Drag racing, legal costs for complaints, and, yes, declining attendance. I’ve heard some people complain about the “young kids just not interested” and blaming the “millennials”. From what I’ve seen with my own eyes and what I’ve heard from talking with some “old timers” at the track, that is unfair and untrue. In fact, the younger, tuner crowd has been unofficially credited with keeping the track open this long. Attendance for the Honda/VW/Toyota events was huge! Conversely, when I brought my 442 to the GM Show ‘N Go last year, I was set to win 1st place in the BOP class. Not because my car is super-awesome (FAR from it!) but because I was the only 1 there.
Sucks!
