The Hicken Power Dragstrip in Callahan, Florida, has officially opened with a burnout event, marking the return of drag racing to Northeast Florida after a nine-year absence. The track, located next to a 14-year-old go-kart track complex, features a 60-foot-long concrete burnout and staging area, as well as a pair of asphalt drag strips.

Community Support

The event drew hundreds of fans and drivers, with many expressing their excitement and gratitude for the new track. Mark Sever, whose 2002 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird was the first to spin its tires on Sunday’s Burnout Day, said it was an honor to be the first to run on the track. Jon Conwell, who rolled up multiple times in his 1988 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, said it felt amazing and that he was glad to have a place to do burnouts.

The track is the result of five years of planning and construction, with owner David Hicken overcoming numerous hurdles to bring the project to fruition. Hicken, a former drag racer himself, said he was excited about the future of the track and thanked his friends and supporters for their help in making the burnout day a success.

Future Plans

The track is set to open for full-time drag races by July 4th, with start-line timing lights and barriers still to be installed. Hicken said that the track will cost close to $2 million to complete, with funding coming from himself, sponsors, and other sources. The track will also feature a shutdown area and a 500-foot dirt area for emergency stopping.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.