"In the final race on Fourth of July 1938, drivers Henry Guerand and Vince Brehm locked wheels at 60 mph, sending Brehm’s vehicle through a guardrail.
"The crash killed a 10-year-old Ridgewood boy and a 30-year-old man from Hawthorne, whose leg was amputated with a pocket knife on the scene. Seventeen others were injured.
The accident left such an indelible mark that the speedway closed immediately and forever. After World War II, the 23-acre property was sold to make way for houses.
"Few reminders of the once-famous speedway remain: Race Track Road (with those giant green exit signs off Route 17), the enlarged old photos in the Krauszer’s Food Store in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus and a race-day poster at the nearby Ho-Ho-Kus Inn."
"The Ho-Ho-Kus Racetrack was developed in the late 1860’s to early 1870’s and remained opened for business until 1938. The track grounds were used for a variety of events beyond Horse and Automobile races such as polo events, parades, firemen field days, carnivals and fairs. Just like the borough, the racetrack had a multitude of names such as the Ho-Ho-Kus Driving Park, Ridgewood Race Track, Ho-Ho-Kus Speedway, the Driving Park, Bergen County Fair Grounds, Ho-Ho-Kus Park Incorporated and Ho-Ho-Kus Race Track."
Here's a map of the original track.
So, if you should hear the roar of race cars, heading up 17 North, where Racetrack Road is now bisected by the highway (...at one point, traffic lights allowed cars to cross Rte. 17!), you might hear ghosts of yesterday's races, unless, of course the air is shattered by a massive 18-wheeler.
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