The Callahan Speedway is months away from unveiling its new drag racing strip, designed by owner David Hickens who’s been racing since he got his driver’s license.
CALLAHAN, Fla. — For years, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has said it is cracking down on illegal street racing, but that isn’t stopping some drivers from getting their ‘need for speed.’ Now, a Nassau County man wants to build a safe space where people can drag race legally in Callahan.
“You never know what can happen,” said John Gonzalez, who lives near Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville. “Somebody may kill a pedestrian or have a real bad accident.”
Gonzalez isn’t talking about typical traffic he sees when driving home, it’s the sounds of drag racing that he hears throughout the night… an issue JSO has been combating for years.
“They’re speeding, they’re driving recklessly so, that in it of itself, reckless driving, is a criminal offense and they can be arrested for that,” First Coast News’ Crime Expert Ken Jefferson said.
Although drivers could lose their license for drag racing on public roads, they take that chance in part because there isn’t a designated place to race, until now. The Callahan Speedway is months away from unveiling its new drag racing strip, designed by owner David Hickens who’s been racing since he got his driver’s license.
“There’s a need for it to be in this area because even though there’s not a place to do it right now, it’s still very popular,” Hickens said.
To race himself, Hickens would travel across the country to find drag racing strips, telling First Coast News that the closest one is in Gainesville.
Hickens is implementing not only the best features for drivers to get an adrenaline rush, but features to keep them safe.
“It’s going to have jersey walls down both sides, those are big concrete barriers down both sides in case there is a wreck; it will contain them,” Hickens said.
Hickens says he recently received a building permit, allowing the speedway to start construction on the new drag strip that aims to be open this summer.
