Not your average peely crumbly explore. This is Meadowdale International Raceway in Carpentersville Illinois. Today it is has a second life under the ownership of Dundee Park District and the Forest Preserve District as "Raceway Woods". The 3.27mi hikeable track sits on 122 stunning acres.
Meadowdale International Raceway operated from 1958 to 1969. It was plagued with numerous issues including safety (notable is the death of a driver the the 3rd heat on opening day), logistics (it was a long walk from parking), neighbors (huge traffic issues on racedays), and ultimately the lack of funding to correct any of the issues. Beside the death on the the first race day, fans were treated with yet-to-be-seeded landscaping which results in a dust "storm" that not only beat faces and sting eyes, it was bad enough to reduce visibility from the grandstand.
Every thing raced here in an effort to turn a profit. Stock cars, ARCA, SCCA, drag races, go-karts, motorcycles, even snowmobiles.
No buildings remains, except for the trademark silo that was used as a billboard of sort advertising the track. Private fund raising saved the silo when it was at risk of toppling over.
I hiked the 3.27mi trackbed, but could have easily killed an entire day here. The infield of the track has a number fo service roads that were likely for pit access, emergency vehicles, concessions, and winner's circle. There may be identifiable foundations, I hope to return over the summer to kill an entire day exploring the nature claimed infield.
If you are into hiking and race cars, this is the place....
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2. The remains of the original track surface isn't always visible. A pedestrian/cycle path has been laid over top to keep you on track.
3. The acreage on which the track sits has some stunning view. LOTS of coyote scat clued to a healthy population in the area.
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5. One of several services road leading to the infield. Lack of remaining daylight and the need to view the entire track first, prevented exploration of the infields.
6. Service road.
7. The pedipath is laid on top of original trackbed here. This is the main straight. Grandstands would have been on the left, pit road on the right. 3 deer greeted us here, they had no concern of our presence, including Dodger the Urbex Dog.
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10. Turn 1 sits under water, remains of a snowstorm the day prior.
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12. A track to, and from the "Monza Wall". A 180 degree turn, pitched at 45 degrees.
13. Tree roots pop the track surface.
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15. What I think is a small block Chevy. With the 2 barrel manifold, I seriously doubt it came ffrom a race car, just some asshat's garbage.
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17. The return track from the Monza Wall.
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19. The deformed tree shows where there used to be a pedestrian bridge over the track surface.
20. The other landing of the pedestrian bridge.
21. Simple cable and hardware cloth was the only barrier between the race and spectators.
22. 1 foot high concrete barrier wall. A far cry from today's safer-barriers.
23. Another service road.
