Meadowdale on Saturday - Pictures

Anyone (Bob, Andreas, etc) interested in getting together and walking the Meadowdale track out in Carpentersville? If we get some nice weekend weather this might be interesting. Anyway, I'm in need of an Fcar fix

 

That would be great, the last few times I posted doing this there was ZERO interest. Sometime mid to late May would be a good time to do this. They have opened a second parking area off Huntley road.

 

For those that don't know what we are talking about

http://meadowdaleraceway.homestead.com/index.html

 

An event that gives me a chance to see my old buddy Campen again is worth going, regardless where. And Meadowdale has neat history and was the first "event" we did here (or that I was part of). Yes, would be nice to go there again for a walk and take some pics. Adamr, sorry I don't remember which one you were. The guy with the pickup truck?

I was thinking about Meadowdale the other day as I was reading an article in my slot car racing magazine where some guys built a track based on it. With the silo and all.

Frank, you're the history buff here, c'mon and join us and do a Pilota writeup. I'll help you keeping it under two pages...

 

Hey I'm game. Sounds like fun

 

Yes, that's correct Andreas. Otherwise known as the photo platform

Previously, I was busy with work and unable to make it out to the gathering.

 

Yes, this most Definiely does sound cool. I have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about this Track, so it will be neat. And will be really nice to see Bob, too.

Too bad that they can't fix it up and open it up again. But with the NIMBY attitude of today, will never happen....

The closest Track that I know of now, and visit, is Sycamore Speedway out in Sycamore,Il. But, with the constant Cancer of Suburban Sprawl looking like it will never end. Sycamore is destined to be just another Chicago Suburb in no time. (And there will still be the genuises that live out there and work downtown that clog our roads every single day.....)

They are trying to close down Byron Dragway right now for that same exact reason! What a bunch of Bollocks!

 

Great, we got 4 Ferraris. So we need the photo truck again. And some coolers with beer,err sodas and lawn chairs. This time I'll get there by GPS navigation.

 

Is this track still fully intact?

 

Think Mayan ruins in the middle of a Guatemala jungle.

No, it is all gone. There is a nice park sign and behind it are trees and shrubbery. The track surface is gone, but the track is "visible" by the path leading through the forest. Some concrete bits and pieces are left including its famous silo. So you can tour some of its track and reminisce about the glory days of racing. At some point even Ferraris raced there.

Consider it a walk in the park with your nostalgic racing buddies.

Here a shot from our last gathering:
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The best part of pavement left is "little Monza" a banked turn at the end of the main straight , alot of other pavement left from the main and back straights. Their website shows what is left. There is a picture of Zora Duntov driving a Ferrari at Meadowdale Won't see that in a lot of race track sites.

 

Hey guys, long time no see. I think my Mondial may want to go...been awhile since she has been out on a date. Count me in. As I recall I had to work the last time I wanted to attend.

Jay

 

The Dino could use a little exercise, and the "track" is only 15 minutes from my house. I'll pop over.

 

Welcome to FChat!

Did we meet with our cars one day at Bahai temple?

 

Andreas--

Is that your car on the left with, dare I say, the top off?! It looks pretty slick.

 

Yes it is. Thanks. I have a love/hate relationship with the roof: Personally (and I realize I'm probably the only person in the world who feels that way) I prefer closed cars, so I never take the top off and prefer the GTB look, but once in a while it does look good topless.

 

Yes Andreas, it's me. It's been awhile. I'm excited about this upcoming season. It's gonna' be a ride to remember.

 

Awesome!

I have often wondered what happened to you and your great car. Glad to hear you both are around (and I hope your lovely wife is doing fine too).

Since you found FChat, hopefully we'll stay in touch now more regularly. There are lots of events going on.

PS: I still have a pic of your car hanging on my "wall of fame" at home.

 

Would Saturday, March 25th, be a good day to do this? Or do you guys think we should wait until sometime in April when it may be a bit warmer?

 

I'd wait for a warmer/more predictable month. Actually thinking more of April or May.

 

Sounds good.

 

Well, I don't think I'll be ready for the 25th. I'd like to think so, but I'm getting some work done to get ready for this upcoming season. I should be done by April Fool's Day if all goes as planned.

 

Yeah, having it snow wouldn't be good.

 

How does that sound? With an alternate day in case of bad weather on the 27th? The rationale is it should be mid May and the weekend before that, FCA organizes a drive.

Participants:
Daryl 246
Adam camera truck
Bob 308
Jay Mondial
Andreas 308
Rick Daytona
Frank 308

You guys ok with May 20th? Say 2pm in the afternoon at the track?

I can do a little writeup for Pilota and for those interested in the FOC Gumball trophy, this would count as an event. But I don't want to "overpower" this nice gathering of friends by hijacking it into an official event.

PS: Attached is a pic I lifted off their website. Shows some unidentified Ferraris at the track in 1958. For more info go to: http://www.miroldpix1.homestead.com/58oldpix.html
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Works for me