The Quarter Mile Club 50 Years – Agreeing with the City of Hafnarfjörður

Fiftieth Quarter-Mile Club

The Quarter Mile Club celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday at its facility on Quarter Mile Track 1 in Hafnarfjörður. They had a splendid programme over the weekend to mark the occasion. Three people were honoured in particular:

• Sigurjón Andersen
  • For having served on the club's board for nearly forty years and being a pillar of the club.
• Johann A. Kristjansson
  • One of the club's founders who has kept all the data and taken countless photos over the years.
• Valur Vífilsson
  • For having been on the track all along and being tirelessly involved in the work. Valur last set a track record on Saturday.

In memory of Hrafn Breiðfjörð

A poignant moment was when the father of Hrafn Breiðfjörðsson Ellertsson, who died in a motorbike accident in Heiðmörk last year, donated half a million krónur to the club at the fiftieth-anniversary celebration. The sum was in memory of his son. His father, Ellert Alexandersson, also shared that since his son's death, his fellow club members had finished the modifications to Hrafn's Ford Mustang that he had begun. The car stood looking magnificent on the celebration grounds. Numerous people have been involved in the project in memory of Hrafn.

Ingólfur Arnarson, the club chairman, celebrated a good anniversary. „Yes, it was a great day. Lots of people, lovely weather. People who have been following us for decades came, and it's incredible that the club has become 50 years old. Our facilities are good. The day before, there was a competition and 500 people turned up. There's life in the club and more on offer than just kicking a ball about and chasing a golf ball.“

Big birthday day

Mayor Valdimar Víðisson gave a speech at the celebration and congratulated the club:

„Fifty years of petrol-fuelled dreams, drag races, get-togethers, competition, coffee, brake discs, meetings and vision. This is a big birthday, and it's also a big day for Hafnarfjörður,“ he said, pointing out that the Quarter Mile Club has been a mainstay of Icelandic motorsport since it was founded in 1975.

„From the very first days, this has been a home for those who share a love of motorsport, whether it's drift, drag, motocross, custom builds, or simply tinkering, testing and learning. And it's not just the competition that matters, but also the social and cultural connection that is formed around this sport. There are peers, people with a shared interest who build each other up and support one another, get to know each other, learn and grow together,“ he said.

He pointed out that the club's work has played an important role, not just for enthusiasts of speed and technology but also for the community as a whole. „Here, young people have been able to learn discipline and responsibility, learn about road safety, adopt positive values and set goals to work towards. It's not a given that young people will choose to spend their time in a shed with their hands in engines, but that's what happens when they are given the opportunity, support and recognition. And that is precisely what the Quarter Mile Club has done.“

The engine room to the club

With this in mind, Valdimar and Ingólfur signed a partnership agreement on behalf of the City of Hafnarfjörður for the transfer of the Motorhouse to the Quarter Mile Club. The agreement secures the future operation of the Motorhouse, which was part of Music and Motor. „That will greatly strengthen the operation,“ says Valdimar. Ingólfur agrees.

„We think it's a really better venue for those who are interested in bikes and cars,“ he says. „That way, those who are interested in engines are in the environment this is all about. Here, you can do everything, the biggest and the best. It's a good venue for kids to get involved in a club. We can see them getting involved in organising events and training. This would foster greater social development and give them the opportunity to work with the equipment we have. It's good for the kids and for the development of the organisation, to bring in new blood and young people,“ says Ingólfur.

A very warm congratulations on 50 years.