Originally Posted by IndyBound:
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 for of a drag racer than a dirt track racer and he didn't like the dust issue having a dirt track on his property presnted. 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, 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
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/