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Topic: Racing coming to Shawnee??? (Shawnee News Star)
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July 21, 2007 at
05:28:28 PM
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This is in the Shawnee News Star, July 21. Some of the article doesn't make much sense (paved oval plus a road course, rodeos, etc.??) ; at any rate, this is the way it is online, and it's also printed in todays paper. Who is International Raceway of Oklahoma and Fenton Motors??? The Expo Center is on hwy 177 a couple miles south of I-40. Link to actual article at bottom.
Expo group hears racing idea, voices interest
By Amanda Gire Staff Writer
Shawnee is a step closer to being on the fast track with a new race track, but the location specifics are still a bit hazy. Community leaders showed support for the project, but no official action has taken place. International Raceway of Oklahoma representatives met Thursday with the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to discuss the possibility of having the race track at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, but the group wasn't able to give a definite answer Thursday.
The authority will determine whether the track will be housed at the Expo and it is developing a work group to meet with the Shawnee Airport Authority and other community members to hash out problems.
The Shawnee Airport Authority is involved because Lance Fenton's proposal would need to utilize part of airport property for 1 1/2 miles of snaking roadway behind the race track.
Fenton approached the Shawnee community earlier in July about moving the dream to reality and received a high level of support, but he still had to approach the CCDA.
"The Expo board is going to be in the driver's seat for the time being," City Manager Jim Collard said during the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation meeting.
Fenton's proposal is for a 1/2-mile oval asphalt track with a road course to accommodate tractor pulls, rodeos, motorcycles, concerts and other events.
Fenton said his goal is to have a facility to offer races in a family environment, and the Expo has all of the things he is looking for. By bringing the racing community to Shawnee, the city and surrounding communities will benefit from the tax dollars spent at the restaurants, gas stations, hotels and possibly real estate.
"They will see there's more than one reason to live in Shawnee," Fenton said.
"You'll be opening the door to a whole new market," said Robin Stewart, marketing director with Fenton Motors.
Fenton said, by utilizing the Expo, he would have a two-year head start on the project than if he had to start from scratch somewhere else.
CCDA members had questions on how the Expo would benefit, how he is paying for the project and other factors that would affect the Expo and the community.
"As the city manager, I'm real interested in this project," Collard said. "What we're doing here is problem-solving, not being negative."
Fenton said the project's cost is estimated at $3 million and an opening date could be March 1 if the project started "today."
Other concerns voiced by the CCDA were noise, the relationship between the CCDA and Fenton, liability and personnel.
Fenton said he would consider leasing the facility from the authority and many of the other concerns would have to be worked out.
"There's not anyone doing something like what I'm proposing," Fenton said, saying he doesn't have a model for how the relationship and project should go.
Stewart said the race track will provide the Expo with an opportunity to increase the number of events at the Expo. As the facility grows in popularity, more events will be brought in.
"We could utilize the facility every day of the year with a wide variety of events," she said.
The authority developed a working group that will start hammering out all the issues it may have with the potential race track.
"I don't think there's any one of us on here that wants to say no," CCDA member Lance Wortham said.
Member Rocky Wade said the mere fact the group was poking holes in the project shows the interest the members have.
"We're not looking at ways to not make this work," member Carl Packwood said.
Wortham and Wade were appointed to the working committee that will meet with Fenton and other community leaders in coming weeks.
While the CCDA will make the decision, Collard said the project's success will take the whole community.
"It is going to take everybody," he said.
Some community groups have agreed to stay involved with the development of the project when it takes a more solid form. The tourism committee decided Wednesday to show its support in exploring the project.
Article online: http://www.news-star.com/stories/072107/new_50947.shtml
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July 22, 2007 at
03:08:34 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: tekboy46 on July 21 2007 at 05:28:28 PM
This is in the Shawnee News Star, July 21. Some of the article doesn't make much sense (paved oval plus a road course, rodeos, etc.??) ; at any rate, this is the way it is online, and it's also printed in todays paper. Who is International Raceway of Oklahoma and Fenton Motors??? The Expo Center is on hwy 177 a couple miles south of I-40. Link to actual article at bottom.
Expo group hears racing idea, voices interest
By Amanda Gire Staff Writer
Shawnee is a step closer to being on the fast track with a new race track, but the location specifics are still a bit hazy. Community leaders showed support for the project, but no official action has taken place. International Raceway of Oklahoma representatives met Thursday with the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to discuss the possibility of having the race track at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, but the group wasn't able to give a definite answer Thursday.
The authority will determine whether the track will be housed at the Expo and it is developing a work group to meet with the Shawnee Airport Authority and other community members to hash out problems.
The Shawnee Airport Authority is involved because Lance Fenton's proposal would need to utilize part of airport property for 1 1/2 miles of snaking roadway behind the race track.
Fenton approached the Shawnee community earlier in July about moving the dream to reality and received a high level of support, but he still had to approach the CCDA.
"The Expo board is going to be in the driver's seat for the time being," City Manager Jim Collard said during the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation meeting.
Fenton's proposal is for a 1/2-mile oval asphalt track with a road course to accommodate tractor pulls, rodeos, motorcycles, concerts and other events.
Fenton said his goal is to have a facility to offer races in a family environment, and the Expo has all of the things he is looking for. By bringing the racing community to Shawnee, the city and surrounding communities will benefit from the tax dollars spent at the restaurants, gas stations, hotels and possibly real estate.
"They will see there's more than one reason to live in Shawnee," Fenton said.
"You'll be opening the door to a whole new market," said Robin Stewart, marketing director with Fenton Motors.
Fenton said, by utilizing the Expo, he would have a two-year head start on the project than if he had to start from scratch somewhere else.
CCDA members had questions on how the Expo would benefit, how he is paying for the project and other factors that would affect the Expo and the community.
"As the city manager, I'm real interested in this project," Collard said. "What we're doing here is problem-solving, not being negative."
Fenton said the project's cost is estimated at $3 million and an opening date could be March 1 if the project started "today."
Other concerns voiced by the CCDA were noise, the relationship between the CCDA and Fenton, liability and personnel.
Fenton said he would consider leasing the facility from the authority and many of the other concerns would have to be worked out.
"There's not anyone doing something like what I'm proposing," Fenton said, saying he doesn't have a model for how the relationship and project should go.
Stewart said the race track will provide the Expo with an opportunity to increase the number of events at the Expo. As the facility grows in popularity, more events will be brought in.
"We could utilize the facility every day of the year with a wide variety of events," she said.
The authority developed a working group that will start hammering out all the issues it may have with the potential race track.
"I don't think there's any one of us on here that wants to say no," CCDA member Lance Wortham said.
Member Rocky Wade said the mere fact the group was poking holes in the project shows the interest the members have.
"We're not looking at ways to not make this work," member Carl Packwood said.
Wortham and Wade were appointed to the working committee that will meet with Fenton and other community leaders in coming weeks.
While the CCDA will make the decision, Collard said the project's success will take the whole community.
"It is going to take everybody," he said.
Some community groups have agreed to stay involved with the development of the project when it takes a more solid form. The tourism committee decided Wednesday to show its support in exploring the project.
Article online: http://www.news-star.com/stories/072107/new_50947.shtml
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Interesting, we advertise in the Shawnee Newspaper 25 weeks out of the year for our Indoor Motorcycle and ATV races held in Harrah, Oklahoma which is a few miles from Shawnee and the Heart of Oklahoma Expo. We looked at producing our events at the Heart of Oklahoma Center, however the prices there were much higher than we pay at 6 other locations. There are two racing facilities in that area, one motocross and our Indoor races we produce in the Fall/Winter season..
The Shawneed Expo has been host to several Indoor Motorcycle and ATV races over the past years. Biggest problem there is their portable stands and rodeo panels have to be moved and set for every separate event, and the cost and labor are extremely high for what we are used to paying at buildings that have permenate seating and railing. They also have a very nice large outdoor grandstand, only problem with that facility is there are two Fire Hydrants located less than 120 fee from each other dead in the center of each end of the Rodeo Arena layout. Those hydrants would be on the inside of the turns of the track we proposed to use at the Grand Stands and there is no economical way of moving them.
An asphalt 1/2 mile track would be an interesting proposal. Wonder where one would find enough race teams that have the equipment to run on a 1/2 mile asphalt track in this area of the United States to support this type of track?
I will check my records, but I am cretain we contacted this Auto Dealership among other businesses in Shawnee regfarding sponsorships and advertising for the 5th Annual Indoor Winter Nationals, and did not have positive results from them. Couple of Auto/Truck dealerships responed that they do not sell motorcycles or ATVs, I recall explaing to them that every racer and race team hauls their equipment in a truck, SUV or Van that they do sell. Our information package explains that Ford Motor Corporation is the title sponsor for the American Motorcyclists Association Grand National Championship Dirt Track Racing Series. Ford must see results as this is their thrid year being involved with the series.
Sounds as if our sales people need to make another call on the principal of the business if they are indeed this interested in Motor Sports as the article sounds.
If I were considering investing 3 Million Dollars, believe I would be checking with other race promoters such as us and the Welston, Oklahoma motocross track nearby to determine what the typical race fan base is in that area. We have not received any inquires regarding those types of questions. Not sure if one could build a 1/2 mile wide oval racetrack to accomodate auto racing for as little as 3 million, and I am sure that a 2 mile road course would run much more than that in paving alone.
Not sure if the CMRA would consider running at any other track in Oklahoma other than Hallett. If they wish to build a Road Course they need to consult with the CMRA, FIM, AMA, CCS and other sanctions to be sure they engineer the facility from the architects drawings up following the guidelines and set standards of the FIM, AMA, CCS and CMRA for motorcycle Road Racing. Also need to follow minimum SCCA, USAC and COMMA guidelines for their Auto RR Course.
This article reads like a test baloon to see what the reaction from the readers resulted in . Good marketing plan to run a test baloon up in the air to see what sticks, and which way the wind is blowing.
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July 22, 2007 at
12:09:04 PM
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08/09/2005
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320
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It is a great idea, but here in Shawnee, it would be better to put in a Dirt Track not a asphalt track, no asphalt support here, I was shocked when I read my Saturday paper, it will be interesting to see what comes of this but a asphalt track would be a flop in my opinion, Dirt is the way to go, they could have something as big as SFS down here if they plan and work this out right...
Danny Waller Jr.
Pro/Street Stock #1J
2006-2007-2009-2010-2011-2012 6 Time BMS Pro/Street Stock
Champion
4 Time BMS Fall Nationals Champion
2 Time BMS Spring Nationals Champion
Driver: Johnny Reed Jr.
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July 24, 2007 at
01:09:11 PM
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Joined:
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05/01/2007
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122
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Reply to:
Posted By: tekboy46 on July 21 2007 at 05:28:28 PM
This is in the Shawnee News Star, July 21. Some of the article doesn't make much sense (paved oval plus a road course, rodeos, etc.??) ; at any rate, this is the way it is online, and it's also printed in todays paper. Who is International Raceway of Oklahoma and Fenton Motors??? The Expo Center is on hwy 177 a couple miles south of I-40. Link to actual article at bottom.
Expo group hears racing idea, voices interest
By Amanda Gire Staff Writer
Shawnee is a step closer to being on the fast track with a new race track, but the location specifics are still a bit hazy. Community leaders showed support for the project, but no official action has taken place. International Raceway of Oklahoma representatives met Thursday with the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority to discuss the possibility of having the race track at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, but the group wasn't able to give a definite answer Thursday.
The authority will determine whether the track will be housed at the Expo and it is developing a work group to meet with the Shawnee Airport Authority and other community members to hash out problems.
The Shawnee Airport Authority is involved because Lance Fenton's proposal would need to utilize part of airport property for 1 1/2 miles of snaking roadway behind the race track.
Fenton approached the Shawnee community earlier in July about moving the dream to reality and received a high level of support, but he still had to approach the CCDA.
"The Expo board is going to be in the driver's seat for the time being," City Manager Jim Collard said during the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation meeting.
Fenton's proposal is for a 1/2-mile oval asphalt track with a road course to accommodate tractor pulls, rodeos, motorcycles, concerts and other events.
Fenton said his goal is to have a facility to offer races in a family environment, and the Expo has all of the things he is looking for. By bringing the racing community to Shawnee, the city and surrounding communities will benefit from the tax dollars spent at the restaurants, gas stations, hotels and possibly real estate.
"They will see there's more than one reason to live in Shawnee," Fenton said.
"You'll be opening the door to a whole new market," said Robin Stewart, marketing director with Fenton Motors.
Fenton said, by utilizing the Expo, he would have a two-year head start on the project than if he had to start from scratch somewhere else.
CCDA members had questions on how the Expo would benefit, how he is paying for the project and other factors that would affect the Expo and the community.
"As the city manager, I'm real interested in this project," Collard said. "What we're doing here is problem-solving, not being negative."
Fenton said the project's cost is estimated at $3 million and an opening date could be March 1 if the project started "today."
Other concerns voiced by the CCDA were noise, the relationship between the CCDA and Fenton, liability and personnel.
Fenton said he would consider leasing the facility from the authority and many of the other concerns would have to be worked out.
"There's not anyone doing something like what I'm proposing," Fenton said, saying he doesn't have a model for how the relationship and project should go.
Stewart said the race track will provide the Expo with an opportunity to increase the number of events at the Expo. As the facility grows in popularity, more events will be brought in.
"We could utilize the facility every day of the year with a wide variety of events," she said.
The authority developed a working group that will start hammering out all the issues it may have with the potential race track.
"I don't think there's any one of us on here that wants to say no," CCDA member Lance Wortham said.
Member Rocky Wade said the mere fact the group was poking holes in the project shows the interest the members have.
"We're not looking at ways to not make this work," member Carl Packwood said.
Wortham and Wade were appointed to the working committee that will meet with Fenton and other community leaders in coming weeks.
While the CCDA will make the decision, Collard said the project's success will take the whole community.
"It is going to take everybody," he said.
Some community groups have agreed to stay involved with the development of the project when it takes a more solid form. The tourism committee decided Wednesday to show its support in exploring the project.
Article online: http://www.news-star.com/stories/072107/new_50947.shtml
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Great!!! I am sick of driving hunderds of miles for a good asphalt late model or sprint show!
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July 28, 2007 at
03:35:14 PM
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05/20/2007
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Part II of the story from Thursday's Shawnee News-Star, including some online comments. They haven't even cracked a throttle yet, and residents are ALREADY complaining about noise:
Residents want the racetrack but not the noise:
Some residents of The Timbers housing addition are voicing concern about having a race track so close to their homes.
The residents have said they are concerned about the noise factor involved in having a race track at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.
Though the residents have said they think the race track will be good for local economic development, they just don't want it abuting their property.
"I don't think any of us are against the race track or development, but we just don't want it in our backyards," homeowner Janet Block said.
"All we are saying is (that) it's not right for us right now," said Mike Little, homeowner and developer. "We're not against economic development. We're all for a race track, but not there."
Lance Fenton with International Raceway of Oklahoma introduced the idea to community leaders in mid-July. He said his initial target for the race track is the Expo because of the set-up with the grandstand.
Fenton is proposing a 1/2-mile oval track that would bring racers to the Shawnee area through much of the year.
The Timbers sits on a 74-acre tract that is diagonal to the Expo Center, and as the subdivision develops, there will be 307 lots within earshot of the track.
"There will be a noise factor," said Sue Merritt, homeowner. "There will be a 24/7 problem."
Many of the residents in the addition agreed they moved there to get away from the noise of the city or other noises from society's hustle and bustle.
"We moved to this location because it was peaceful," Block said. "We don't want that to change."
The noise factor could be an issue for several neighborhoods around the Expo, residents said. Some that could be affected are St. Gregory's University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Unity Medical Center and other residential areas. When the discussion of a race track began, the noise was a leading concern.
In the initial meeting, Gordona Rowell with the Greater Shawnee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said the noise could carry farther than the immediate neighborhoods, and the tourism's standpoint is the fear of the public's perception of the noise level.
Marketing Director Robin Stewart with Fenton Motors said there are methods to deaden the sound, including the use of blockades and curfews.
Adam Wilson, homeowner in The Timbers, said he lived near Thunder Valley Racing Park in Noble, and the noise carried at least five miles.
Residents suggested a location north of Shawnee or along I-40 would be the ideal location for the race track. It would be able to accommodate the traffic and not be a burden on residential areas.
"We need to focus on a place where everyone can get behind it," Mike Little said. "I don't think people realize it's going to be right there."
Mike Little and Bryan Little have other reasons why the Expo is not the ideal location for the tract.
It will hurt property sales and development in that part of town, Mike Little said.
"It not only affects the ones who live here, but it affects the livelihood that my family has invested here at the subdivision," Bryan Little said. "People don't want to move in next to a race track."
Bryan Little said the proposal will begin affecting the development and sales immediately whether the track is placed at the Expo or not.
"This will kill it (development)," he said. "There's no doubt about it."
The group said they definitely don't want to stop the economic development in Shawnee or in the area of the subdivision.
"As developers, we want economic development," Connie Little said.
Currently, the race track proposal is being considered by a sub-committee of the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority, which will make the decision on the track location.
Fenton met with CCDA members last week, but the authority wasn't able to give a definite answer as to whether the track would be a good fit for the Expo.
The CCDA will make the decision on whether the race track will be housed at the Expo, but several other community groups have decided to remain involved with exploration of the project and it's potential in Shawnee.
Amanda Gire may be reached at [email protected] or at 214-3934. ------------------------------------------------------------
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