Riverhead board OKs new drag races at EPCAL despite objections from residents

Riverhead is giving the go-ahead to four drag-racing events scheduled for later this year.

The races will take place at the Enterprise Park at Calverton after being approved by the town board. Several residents voiced concerns about noise disruptions in their neighborhoods and environmental worries regarding the events’ effect on the EPCAL property.

Similar concerns were raised last year when the board approved drag racing at EPCAL that took place in September. The board anticipated at the time that the event would bring in about $10,000 in lease fee revenue for the town, according to Supervisor Yvette Aguiar.

The board voted 5-0 Wednesday to approve a three-race series, operated by Peter Scalzo of Sarasota, Florida.

The first series is on April 2, 3, 9, 10 and 16. The second will take place Aug. 20, 21, 27 and 28, and Sept. 3, 4, 9 and 10. The third series is scheduled for Sept. 24-25, Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16.

The board voted 3-2 to approve the fourth event, operated by Andre Baxter of Hempstead-based Scrambul Inc., for March 5-6.

Aguiar and Councilman Tim Hubbard voted against the fourth event, citing concerns that it would not use safety barriers, which are recommended under the guidelines of the National Hot Rod Association, a governing body for drag racing.

"Scalzo’s events are NHRA-sanctioned, and because of the [lack of] barriers and lack of experience in racing, the [NHRA] would not sanction the other event," Aguiar told Newsday on Thursday. "We are a self-insured town and we have to ensure we maintain the highest safety protocols for drag racing."

Baxter did not return requests for comment.

As for voting ‘yes’ for the other events, Aguiar said she felt last year’s inaugural races "went off very well" and proved to be "an economic generator" for local businesses from event attendees.

"Hotels were full, restaurants were full, all the delis on Sound Avenue were running out of food," Aguiar said.

Scalzo, who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting, said he was willing to move race dates around to avoid coinciding with dates such as Sept. 11, which Hubbard asked him to withdraw.

Some residents aired concerns about noise affecting neighboring homes, environmental impacts of having the races on the EPCAL property and that the board had not held formal public hearings on the races.

"We need to recognize there was deep division within the community, especially for people who lived in the neighborhoods close to the races," said John McAuliff, of Rolling Woods and a member of EPCAL Watch, who suggested tabling the resolutions.