Drag Racing Event Coming To Calverton In June

RIVERHEAD, NY — After years of pleas from motorsports advocates, drag racing is coming to Enterprise Park at Calverton soon, at least temporarily.

The Riverhead town board unanimously approved a special event application for the Scrambul Runway Challenge for a drag racing event to be held on June 19 and June 20; rain dates are scheduled for June 26 and June 27.

Riverhead Town Councilwoman Catherine Kent weighed in on the vote: "Many Riverhead residents drive a great distance to attend drag racing events. This two-day event is a good opportunity to see how such events would be received in our town."

And, said Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, "most of the community supports this event." The event, she said, is family-friendly. And, she added, the two-day event will generate $10,000 for the town in lease fees.

As long as safety protocols and insurance are in place, she welcomes the event, Aguiar said. "Finally, after many years of support for this type of event, it will become reality on June 19 ad June 20," she said.

The town supports both the Scrambul Runway Challenge as well as a series of eight proposed racing events pitched by Peter Scalzo for dates in July and August, she said.

For that event, four daytime races were proposed for July 31, Aug. 1, Aug. 7, and Aug. 8, between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and four-night races were suggested for Aug. 13, Aug. 14, Aug. 20, and Aug. 21, between the hours of 4 p.m. to 10:45 p.m., Aguiar said.

"The races will involve street cars and are aimed at attracting people who enjoy drag-racing as a hobby," she said, adding that Scalzo's efforts have been successful in other towns.

"I just may participate in one of the races," Aguiar said

For years, drag racing advocates have rallied for a facility EPCAL; many say until such a destination is built on the East End, scores of motorsport enthusiasts are forced to leave the area and travel long distances to rev their engines.

Consequently, some say, communities with motorsports facilities receive a much-welcomed economic boon.

Marty Johnson III, founder and CEO of the Long Island Motorsports Association, who has long lobbied for a drag racing strip at EPCAL, has said for years that he would like to see a drag strip and a road course at EPCAL similar to what once existed in Bridgehampton and Westhampton.

On the flip side, some detractors have said over the years that they worry about noise, crowds, and environmental impacts of drag racing in the community.