11/24/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

,Nov ,9 4 1987 BOOK 70 FADE 1,76 The Commissioners had questions about the size and type of track, and Mr. Upton displayed a drawing depicting a track covering an 186' x 300' area. To begin with it would be a dirt track, but in the future he hoped to make it a paved track and possibly eventually race gas powered cars that could reach speeds up to 80 mph. There would be walls around the track plus 4' chain link fencing and bleachers for spectators. There is no charge for spectators - just the drivers pay to get in the race. He explained that this is a sport more for adults than children; the people who race them do not consider them toys; these cars cost about $350, and the gas models are up to 4' long and can cost about $1,000. Commissioner Bowman asked if Mr. Upton hoped that this sport will pay for the building of the track, and he assured her that it definitely will. He informed the Board that the drivers pay a fee to race of about $8.00. White City has just a little off-road track, and they have some 40-60 cars race there every Saturday night. Commissioner Bowman noted if the races are held at night, they will require lights, and Mr. Upton stated that he would pay for lights. Commissioner Bird noted that a one year lease is proposed. Mr. Upton has agreed to provide and build all the facilities, which will revert to the county at the end of the lease, or if we choose to discontinue the activity, he agrees to remove all the improvements from the site. The only contribution the County would make is possibly some fill on site and some drainage work which is necessary to tie into our overall drainage. Commissioner Bowman inquired about noise, and Mr. Upton noted that the cars are electrical and you can't even hear them. Chairman Scurlock asked if we have any approval as to what the facility actually looks like as we want to be sure it fits in with the rest of the Fairgrounds. 34