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Kokomo Tribune
Vacant building offers 900,000 square feet and has ample parking.
By KEN de la BASTIDE
Tribune columnist
Situated along the rolling farmland on U.S. 31 in Tipton County on a 145-acre site at the intersection of Ind. 28 is the unfinished $530 million Getrag transmission plant.
With Getrag Transmission LLC filing for bankruptcy protection and the world’s automakers in the midst of depression era sales numbers, it appears that it could be several years before the building is completed or a buyer located.
Perhaps some millionaire race car driver or team owner should enter into negotiations to lease the building and property on an annual basis or until a buyer is found and use the vacant shell of a building for indoor auto racing.
Does it sound far fetched? Think about the logistics of the building. It is 900,000 square feet and is four stories tall.
Dirt could be hauled inside the facility and a half-mile dirt track could be constructed. Granted the track would have long straight-aways and tight corners, kind of like the Martinsville track. Restraining walls and fencing could be installed.
Temporary seating could be leased for fans, temporary pit stalls erected outside the building for the crews and the gaps in the wall could allow fumes to escape.
Rain won’t impact the racing and there is plenty of free parking on the grounds. Indoor midget, late model and sprint cars could be raced twice a week on a year-round basis.
Consider the financial advantages. Getrag would receive income from the lease which could pay its creditors, Tipton County could impose an admissions tax to be used to pay off the bond issues. Local business would benefit from fans purchasing food and fuel.
Racing teams and fans from throughout the Midwest wouldn’t have to stop attending races because of the weather. It could make Tipton County a destination for racing of all types.
Who knows, perhaps karts and quarter-midgets could race in the middle of the week?
Kokomo would see an increase in overnight stays as race teams seek a room for one or two nights and restaurants would see an influx of customers.
Maybe even the Speed Channel would televise some of the events instead of the lame programs it airs most of the year.
This is a win-win for everyone. Race teams get to compete, fans get to view the sport they enjoy year-round, Tipton and Howard counties would get additional tax revenue and local business makes more money.
Don’t forget that this weekend there will be racing at an indoor convention center in Toledo and on the weekend of Dec. 19-20 there’s more racing at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum.
Drivers from around the U.S. and Canada are scheduled to compete including Tony Stewart and Ken Schrader.
Local drivers racing include Jon Stanbrough, Mel Kenyon, Dave Darland, Billy Wease and Tony Elliott.
Some people might consider racing at Getrag a crazy idea. But remember, indoor racing takes place in Tulsa, Atlantic City and in Florida. None of the venues provide the advantages of the Getrag site.
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