CARLSBAD GETS INDUSTRIALIZED–DEC. 17

To motocross racers who grew up in the hey-day of American motocross, Carlsbad Raceway in Carlsbad, California, was the epitome of rough, tough and rugged racing. The hilly track was the site of the United States Grand Prix for over a decade. The USGP and the track were televised on ABC Wide World Of Sports (and were often Wide World of Sports highest rated shows).
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Carlsbad’s rock hard dirt, big hill and fast downhill fell out of favor with modern racers because of its lack of big jumps. The new generation of racers didn’t appreciate the difficulty of going fast on a big, natural terrain track and although rumors of the track closing were abundant, Carlsbad has remained open. In fact, Jeremy McGrath and Travis Pastrana raced at a local race at Carlsbad on December 9th. It was a cross-country-style Grand Prix. The last motocross race was held two months ago with the full MXA wrecking crew in attendance. We will miss “The Rock” if she closes.

But perhaps the bell has tolled for Carlsbad as this article by staff writer Agnes Roletti of the Union-Tribune suggest.

CARLSBAD — The approval of two proposed industrial projects, one on the site of the Carlsbad Raceway, is expected to speed up the long-awaited extension of Melrose Drive to connect Carlsbad and Vista. The City Council last night unanimously approved the projects, proposed for 146 acres north of Palomar Airport Road.

The site is on and around the raceway, which has hosted weekend motorcycle and drag-strip races since 1963. The raceway, which operates under a city permit, is expected to halt races in February.

The fate of the raceway, the only legal drag-racing track in San Diego County, has been up in the air since the property changed hands about five years ago. Construction on the industrial projects, which would add to the city’s business park near Palomar Airport Road, is to begin next spring. “This will be the kind of industrial project that we need in Carlsbad,” said Councilwoman Ramona Finnila. “The types of jobs that this will generate will be the high-end jobs, which will help people afford to buy a home here.”

As part of the development deal, the builders will be required to complete Melrose Drive south from Vista to Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. Some Vista officials and residents have been eager to have Melrose extended westward. Linking Melrose with Palomar Airport Road would give inland residents a quicker link to Interstate 5. “Those roads are very important to us,” said City Councilwoman Julie Nygaard.

If all goes according to plan, the Melrose extension would be completed within two years. Completion of the projects also will result in the widening of Palomar Airport Road near the raceway site and the extension of Faraday Avenue. The projects are two of six new industrial developments that are to be built in eastern Carlsbad near the Vista city limits during the next 20 years.