Promoter drops bid to extend EPCAL drag racing season

The promoter of drag racing events on a town-owned runway in the Calverton Enterprise Park has abandoned plans to hold events this spring and early summer. 

Race Track, Not Street promoter Peter Scalzo said in a phone call Tuesday that the state Department of Environmental Conservation rejected his proposals to mitigate the impact of the events on nearby birds nesting and breeding. The DEC has placed limits on racing during the nesting season, which occurs from April 23 and Aug. 15 — a limitation that also delayed Scalzo’s inaugural season in 2021 by several weeks. 

“I’d like to have more [dates]. Our racers would like to have more. The spectators would like to have more,” Scalzo said, adding that his events help combat illegal drag racing and “street takeovers” events, which were on the rise last year and prompted Suffolk County Police to establish a task force targeting reckless drivers.

Scalzo sought to schedule 15 additional racing events during the nesting season, starting with one on May 10. He said he was talking with the DEC and the town, hoping that temporary mitigation measures, including noise barriers, might make the events possible. However, Scalzo said the DEC would only allow the events during the nesting season if he obtained an incidental take permit, which requires a mitigation plan for endangered or threatened species and would cost upwards of $100,000. 

“I have to respect what the DEC said,” Scalzo said, adding that the hope of scheduling earlier racing events is “dead for sure this year. If I’m permitted to come back next year, we can try to approach it then.” 

The Riverhead Town Board last week authorized an agreement with an environmental consultant, Jeffrey Seeman, “to continue dialogue with the Town and the NYSDEC to evaluate the potential use of noise barriers and/or other options that would allow these additional race dates and minimize any impact to the grassland species.” Scalzo would reimburse the town for any expenses incurred, the resolution says. 

Race Track, Not Street operates on a year-to-year special event permit and license agreement agreed to by Scalzo and the Town Board. Race Track, Not Street drag racing events begin this year on Aug. 16 and end on Nov. 9. 

“That’s really a very short season,” Scalzo said. 

Asked whether the DEC would allow additional racing days proposed by Scalzo, a spokesperson said the organization was in contact with the town and that “certain proposed activities require a permit.”

“DEC has not yet received an application and will continue to work directly with the town to ensure the protection of habitats and species that depend on this unique area,” the spokesperson said.