Skyview: Riding where they used to race

The Raceway Woods Forest Preserve in Carpentersville has a history like no other park in the suburbs.

The 122 acres has all the expected amenities such as hiking, biking and picnic tables, but it’s also the home of the former Meadowdale International Speedway, a 3.3-mile paved auto racetrack that was used in the 1950s and ’60s. Most of the asphalt track still is there at the northeast corner of Route 31 and Huntley Road, according to the Midwest Racing Preservation Association at MIRPA.org.

Many national racing organizations had featured events there, and motorcycle, go-kart and snowmobile racing also was featured. The site even was home to the National Police Driving School.

Now you can walk and bike on the track and find trails, like the one in this photo, that are steep, twisted and challenging and would have been on the infield of the old racetrack.

This drone photograph was taken from a height of about 200 feet.

If you have suggestions for something you'd like to see our drone pilots photograph, email skyview@dailyherald.com with your idea.