12-17-2002 The entire Meadowdale International Raceway property is now safe
from urban development. The park and forest preserve districts, who bought the
north 90 acres of the land in 1994 and named it Raceway Woods, today closed on
the balance of the property occupied by the track.
Meadowdale was built in 1958 and closed in 1969. The 3.27 mile course hosted
USAC, ARCA, AMA and SCCA USRRC and Trans-Am pro road races, karts and other
club races. One of its key features was The Monza Wall, a 180 degree steeply
banked turn that led onto a 4,000 foot main straight. For more information on
Meadowdale, visit www.meadowdaleraceway.homestead.com .
While we will never again race at Meadowdale, at least it will not be buried
under a shopping mall or subdivision. The property is now a welcome open area
in hectic Chicago suburbia. Much of the property has reverted to heavy forest
in the 35 years since the last V8s thundered down the long straights. The
track can still be followed, although most of the pavement has crumbled. But
the awesome hills and that heroic straightaway remain clearly visible.
Tips for visiting the old track and a guide to its trails are included in the
Meadowdale website.
RossFos
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