Dirt Track Questions
 

Last weeks news about the sale of Manzanita Speedway has left me with alot of questions on dirt tracks, so here goes:

1) What year was the most recent dirt track built in the U. S.?

2) Where was this track built?

3) Does anyone know what kind of environmental restrictions the builder had to
endure at the time to build this track?

4) With todays push for a green environment, how do you think securing permit
approval may have changed from the last time a dirt track was built in the U. S.
until now?

5) Do you think every dirt track that closes down or is sold to a group no longer
interested in operating it as a race track; will be able to be relocated to a
new location as a dirt track or will the interested parties in building a new track
have to build a pavement track to meet the town or counties environmental
issues?


I have not started this post as some of you often say to stir the pot. These are questions that I find running around in my head since last week. On the orginal thread about Manzy closing they started talking about a track which we now have determined was a part of the Speedworld Motorplex which I am guessing would have a Surprise or Whittman mailing address. Anyhow, that track really never made it for a number of reasons on of which was the owner of the land was more of a drag racer than a dirt track racer and he didn't like the dust issue having a dirt track on his property presented. Reading about that made me think back to the late '80's or early '90's when Volusia built the dirt track next to the pavement track, it reminded me of the dust issues the ISMA supermodifieds had to contend with when they were running the dirt mods on the same night on the dirt track.

I am in no way an expert on dirt track racing, if anything I am a novice when it comes to dirt track racing. I am simply a race fan that is shocked over the news of Manzy closing who feels even if there are parties interested in relocating Manzy they may be in for an up hill battle. If part of the reason the Martin's decided to sell is for environmental issues, it seems to me a new owner will be faced with those same environmental issues any where in the valley. Although that is one of the reasons I am hearing rumors about moving Manzy onto Indian land by Firebird, the environmental issues wouldn't apply there.

I just wanted to throw this out there for the seasoned dirt track vetrans opinions. An I don't know which dirt track in the U. S. is the baby of dirt tracks, I hope someone can tell me. Thanks in advance!

Patti

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

One of the most recent Dirt tracks built was probably the Moler Raceway Park near Williamsburg, Ohio (east of Cincy). Construction began in 2006, and racing began in 2007. I don’t know what was required to get the necessary permits to build the track, but it did not take long for the neighbors of MRP to raise heck about the Dust, Noise, Fumes, Traffic, etc. Complaints were filed during the ’07 season, and in 2008, MRP was sued by some of the residents of the Township who wanted the track shut down. The area the track is located in is relatively rural, although there are houses right across the street and next door (within 50 yards). The Molers did leave a tree line around the tracks property to help with the noise. Some of the complaints are related to how late the track was running on some Friday nights. I am not sure what kind of Environmental regulations were involved in getting permits to build the track. You might be able to contact Kevin or Kim Moler @ MRP. The 2009 MRP schedule is out, so they are racng in '09.

Some links
newsdemocrat.com article

Brown County Press article

http://www.molerracewaypark.com/

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

First thing that came to mind. They didn't oppose it when it was being built, but they did after the track was. I see their point, yet they should have complained BEFORE the track was built.

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

itsanonwingthing & slide22, thank you for your responses. Moler Raceway Park is the second new dirt track in the last three years that I have learned about this week. Hopefully Moler will continue to race for years to come. West Valley Speedway here in the Phoenix area had a short lived life span of about a year from what I have learned. I wasn't surprised at how fast the neighbors started to complain. Slide22, you are so right why didn't they express there concerns before the track was built. Of couse the other side of that debate are the existing tracks that have been around forever and the housing projects, businesses, restaurants and gas stations that are encroaching upon the tracks. It never fails to amaze me when they build on top of an existing race track and cry foul or complain. Hello you didn't realize that race track was there when you broke ground?

Thanks again,

Patti

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

Terre haute action track for example. Same thing going on there every year. That was there first,imo if you dont like the noise,dust and such move to the other end of town.

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

Lawrenceburg faced extinction for almost 20 years because of growing complaints. I believe they still get some. Mainly from the imediately adjacent buisnesses like Hagg Ford (That probably has to wash their cars every sunday)

However. Many nights more dust flys from the parking lots than from the track.

It really wasn't untill local buisness actually stepped up (Car Washes, Restaraunts, Gas Stations ) that said this is our biggest nights) That and a Mayor favorable to racing that things turned around. Also the Fairgrounds had been allowed to delapitate for a years. Honestly. Casino Money is the only thing that put it back in the black. FOR NOW anyhow. Im sure Greendale still complains and about 80 percent of the families living there moved in knowing the track was there.

Chuck, Who also noticed all the Moler Complaints came afterwards.

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

Patti
As for the Moler environmental restrictions, The zoning in that area is virtually non-existant. Farmers probably generate as much dust. The agency that enforces environmental code in that county has about 2 employees and is primarly trained in septic systems. If you want to spend some time reading what restrictions could possibly be done as far as air quality standards you can start reading here. http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/greenbk/40cfr50.html#appk
I would also think that OSHA would have some standards pertaining to dust.

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

Shepps Speedway in New Berlin, IL has been built in the last year. It is supposed to start operating this year, I guess we will see. It has a date for IL sprintweek.

Re: Dirt Track Questions
 

Thanks everyone for your responses, maybe my fears are unwarranted. I had no idea so many dirt tracks have been built in the last three years. As a pavement girl all of the race tracks we ran had been around forever. I never gave as much thought to dirt issues as I have since moving to Arizona. Every brand new housing development has huge signs with numbers to call for dust control, with the down turn in the economy there are many housing developments and new commercial projects that have been started and are sitting idle. The dirt has all ready been turned over an any time there is a wind storm the dust in the air is unbelievable. Manzy has brought alot of income to the Phoenix area over the past 58 years, I hope whatever area of the valley they try to relocate the track to takes that into consideration. Z-Man, I will have to try to take a look at the web site you posted later in the week. Thank you, I appreciate the information. Let's all keep are fingers crossed that there will be a new Manzy in our future. Keep the responses coming, they are helping to educate this novice dirt track racer. I call myself that because out of my 50 plus years in racing I have only called Manzy my home track for eight years, before that most of my racing experiences were on pavement.

Thanks again,

Patti