Distributed for Dalton Watson Fine Books
The Rise and Fall of “The Bridge”
Bridgehampton Race Circuit 1955-1997
This book offers the first truly comprehensive history of Bridgehampton Race Circuit, tracing its rise, its struggles, and its ultimate demise.
Bridgehampton Race Circuit, affectionately known as The Bridge, was one of America’s most beloved yet beleaguered road courses. From its opening in 1955 to its final laps in 1997, it stood alongside Thompson Raceway and Lime Rock Park as one of the three pillars of northeastern motorsport, shaping the region’s sports car and single-seater culture for more than four decades. While major events occasionally drew national attention, Bridgehampton’s survival was perpetually threatened by financial instability, shifting ownership, restrictive “Blue Laws,” and persistent noise complaints from the surrounding communities of Bridgehampton and Sagaponack. Despite these challenges, generations of racers—from local amateurs to future stars—considered The Bridge one of America’s most demanding and exhilarating circuits.
Drawing on an extensive trove of surviving records, archives, newsletters, and local press coverage, Terry O’Neil reconstructs the track’s story in unprecedented detail. This volume also highlights race results often overlooked in previous histories, particularly from the 1970s through the 1990s, when reporting was inconsistent and many events were held without spectators. The meticulous assembly of these fragmented records records the circuit’s full competitive history.
Bridgehampton’s legacy is one of passion, perseverance, and place: a world-class track fighting for survival amid shifting political, social, and economic pressures. Whether remembered for its traditional clockwise configuration or the later counter-clockwise Laguna Bay layout, the circuit forever influenced American motorsport. This book is the definitive chronicle of a lost racing treasure—an essential volume for enthusiasts, historians, and anyone drawn to the drama and romance of America’s great road courses.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments & Data Sources
Information
Preface
Chapter 01: 1949-1953 Road racing revived
Chapter 02: 1954-1957 A new dawn
Chapter 03: 1958-1959 Increasing amateur participation
Chapter 04: 1960-1962 The beginning of the Bridgehampton circuit’s halcyon days
Chapter 05: 1963-1964 Professional racing takes hold
Chapter 06: 1965 The first SCCA sanctioned USRRC race
Chapter 07: 1966 Bridgehampton’s first Can-Am race
Chapter 08: 1967 SCCA Grand Prix series
Chapter 09: 1968 Introduction of Trans-Am races
Chapter 10: 1969 Circuit issues and the demise of major races
Chapter 11: 1970 The Eastern Motor Racing Association
Chapter 12: 1971 Amateur racing is resumed
Chapter 13: 1972-1973 noise ordinance imposed
Chapter 14: 1974-1978 Consolidation
Chapter 15: 1979-1980 Formula Race Car Club of America
Chapter 16: 1981 Bridgehampton site for sale
Chapter 17: 1981-1982 Impending changes
Chapter 18: 1982 The final significant SCCA meeting?
Chapter 19: 1983-1986 Action goes off-circuit to the courtroom
Chapter 20: 1987-1991 A false dawn
Chapter 21: 1992 Bridgehampton is sold
Chapter 22: 1993-1995 A painful decline
Chapter 23: 1996-1997 The final “Bridge” races
Conclusions
Index