Street Racers Set Sights on Bringing Raceway Back to Terminal Island

The National and International Brotherhood of Street Racers is stepping up efforts to reopen a legal raceway on Terminal Island. (Photo: Project Street Legal - Terminal Island Raceway Facebook Page)

Last weekend, dozens of street racers rallied outside the Home Depot on Gaffey Street calling for the reopening of a legal amateur raceway on Terminal Island. Almost 20 years after the Brotherhood Raceway Park closed and a coal facility moved in (and then out — the site is currently vacant) the National and International Brotherhood of Street Racers has stepped up efforts to reopen the track, starting an online petition to Mayor Eric Garcetti that has gained more than 1,300 signatures.

In an email to the Beacon, a representative from the mayor’s office gave a statement on the matter.

“Mayor Garcetti agrees illegal street racing is dangerous, and there’s a need for more positive alternatives. Our office is working with stakeholders to consider possible solutions. But the reality is a drag racing track is a difficult project to bring to fruition.”

According to port and city officials, a raceway isn’t in the mix for Terminal Island today, and the Brotherhood should set its sights on another location.

“[Councilman Joe Buscaino] submitted a motion asking the city attorney to report back on the legal possibilities of doing this within city limits other than the Port of Los Angeles and Terminal Island because it’s off the table,” Buscaino’s Communications Director Branimir Kvartuc told the Beacon, adding that the office is also looking into the legalities of putting on a single- or multiple-day racing event like Long Beach’s Grand Prix. “We’re not making any promises to find a location; we’re open to suggestions, but what’s more important right now is finding out legally what it’s going to take.”

He said the city attorney is expected to report back within the next few months.

“The councilman is very aware that this is a public safety issue and it won’t be a cure-all to have a permanent location, but it would take racing off the streets and bring it into a controlled situation,” Kvartuc said.

“Mayor Garcetti agrees illegal street racing is dangerous, and there’s a need for more positive alternatives. Our office is working with stakeholders to consider possible solutions. But the reality is a drag racing track is a difficult project to bring to fruition.”

But the street racers say they aren’t giving up on Terminal Island. Especially because they say Garcetti personally expressed support for the project to them back when he was running for office.

“So we contributed time phone banking for him, lobbying, and knocking on people’s doors,” said Donald Galaz, of the Brotherhood. “Back in the day, the way Willie got it open was he went straight to the mayor. We learned from history.”

Brotherhood founder “Big Willie” Robinson, who passed away in 2012, successfully lobbied for the reopening of the raceway in the 1990s (although it would be short-lived).

Galaz says despite requesting meetings, he has yet to formally meet with either Garcetti or Buscaino. He’s taken the proposal, called Project Street Legal, to the neighborhood councils of the Harbor Area, becoming a board member of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council himself, and ultimately wants to take it before the Board of Harbor Commissioners.

“It’s not just about opening a legal raceway. It’s about keeping younger guys out of the system,” Galaz said. “This is about public safety; a girl was killed in Wilmington [in December]. Yes, there will still be illegal street racing, but this raceway will sure put a dent in it.”

He said he’s glad Buscaino is looking into the issue, but wishes his group was consulted.

“I know he’s capable of doing this. I know they can make this happen. The port’s got the empty property,” Galaz said, adding that participants could sign indemnity forms before racing. “It happened before, and we can do it again. We want to work with them, not against them.”

“It’s not just about opening a legal raceway. It’s about keeping younger guys out of the system. This is about public safety; a girl was killed in Wilmington just last month. Yes, there will still be illegal street racing, but this raceway will sure put a dent in it.”

Port of Los Angeles Communications Director Phillip Sanfield said although the site is indeed vacant, there are no plans for a raceway and the Port has not been formally approached about it.

“We’ve got a plan for Terminal Island and it doesn’t include anything about a raceway. We’re trying to focus on industrial cargo container use and the historic fishing area,” he said. “It’s not in our long term plan, but people can bring ideas forth and if there’s a petition, I’m sure the commissioners will look at it. But where they go from there, if anywhere, is not something I could speculate on.”