More than 200 hot rods, buggies and regular hoopties participated in a sanctioned racing event in Calverton on Saturday organized by Race Track Not Street.

It was the organization’s second season using the old Gruman airplane factory as a racetrack.

The event occurred after a Patchogue man was arrested in Islandia last month and alleged illegal racers were issued 119 summonses.

Organizers said their event provides people with a safer way to race. All cars in the race had to pass inspection, all drivers had to wear helmets and adhere to fire and safety standards.

"I owned a drag strip in Miami, Florida. In 2006, terrible problem, Miami-Dade County, they had a special task force to try to catch people racing on streets. Six months after I opened, they disbanded the task force," said Race Track Not Street promoter Pete Scalzo. "We are a definite positive impact on combating illegal street racing."

"They need that fix, they need those wheels on ground. This is their avenue, this is their opportunity under very safe conditions," said Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar.

Up to 2,000 spectators got to experience the sights and sounds from the track.

In addition to events like this one, a bill was recently passed in Suffolk aimed at deterring illegal racing.