Unfortunately the developers usually have more money and political backing than the drag racers...You have to pay to play...

This never ends well for the racetrack. Enthusiasts are unlikely to find a sympathetic ear at the local government level either because housing developments bring in much higher tax revenues than farmland or a dragstrip. The only way this will get fixed is a high court case that prevents local government from imposing new ordinances on existing facilities. Or if the enthusiasts are able to generate enough numbers to "scare" the incumbents.

This is an example of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard). Unfortunately it is becoming an increasing problem in England.

2 examples:

A householder objecting to cricket being played on a village green because of the danger of cricket balls landing in the garden of their house next to the pitch(!?!).

A neighbour objecting to a cockerel crowing in the farm next door.

The objections usually come from some well-off individuals who have moved into the area from their urban mansion into what they think a rural idyll should be. They think that their concerns should be addressed, even though what they are objecting to has been part of the local culture for centuries.