Long-time Lotus Corps members will undoubtedly remember Meadowdale Raceways, which was located in Carpentersville, Illinois. In operation from 1958 to 1969, the track was 3.27 miles long, with a combination of flat and fast, hilly and twisty, open land and forest sections. The track's most prominent feature was the "Monza Wall", a sweeping 45 degree banked turn that led onto a 4.000 foot straightaway.
Meadowdale hosted major spectator road races from many different sanctioning bodies including USAC. SCCA, Midwestern Council, AMA motorcycles, and kart clubs. A Trans-Am championship race was held there in 1968. It was also used for police training, new car introductions and local club events.
Instead of being developed into a shopping mall or condos, the track property has been parted out and purchased by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, the Dundee Park District, and Dundee Township. The result is 330 acres of public open space called Raceway Woods, available for recreation and nature preserves. leaving most of the property intact.
Little remains of' the original track except broken sections of pavement. . . and the Pure Oil silo. Hidden by overgrowth and suffering from neglect and vandalism, the silo was slated to be demolished by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, until a group of local citizens, racing enthusiasts, and history buffs rallied to save the landmark. In JuIy, the District agreed to grant the silo a six-month reprieve as long as the preservation group could present a plan to restore the silo and generate the necessary funds.
Volunteers are donating much of the labor for this project, but it is estimated that about $14,300 will be needed for the required repair and painting of the 67 year old structure. A "Save the Silo" fund has been set up at the Cardunal Savings Bank in West Dundee, where private donations to the restoration project can be sent. So far, about 1/3 of the total amount has been raised, much of it from local car clubs. Additional fund raising projects are also being planned this fall, including a concert, a car show, and a special presentation of Meadowdale racing films.
Raceway Woods is open to the general public for hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and other outdoor recreation. Although fast race cars will never again compete there, much of the old track can still be walked, reviving the memories of those who were there, and the imaginations of those who weren't.
For further information about the efforts to Save The Silo, and about the preservation of the Meadowdale Raceway property contact Jack or Donna Redmer, at (847)428-2362. For more historical background and photographs of the raceway, visit the website: www.mirpa.org. Donations to help restore the Meadowdale Raceways Silo, can be sent to:
Save the Silo Fund, Attn: Bill Geister
Cardunal Savings Bank
704 W Main St. P.O. Box 97
Dundee, Illinois 60118
