Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Second Creek Raceway Gets Another Year of Life

By Mark Newby

In a session lasting until 1:00 a.m. on December 6, the Commerce City, Colorado City Council approved a conditional use permit that give the Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) another year of AMA-sanctioned road racing at Second Creek Raceway.

Encroaching housing development has closed many racing venues in Colorado in the past few years: Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Stapleton have all been lost to the racing community due to opposition from developers and the new residents in these areas. The chief complaints are always the same: Noise, lights, and traffic. A strong showing of a crowd of several hundred racing supporters and sympathetic City Council members sensitive to both the needs of the community and the wishes of the racing enthusiasts resulted in a surprising reversal of the recommendations of the City Planning Commission and the granting of extension of the conditional use permit for the facility until November 1, 2005.

Sadly, this racetrack will still be lost permanently to the racing community, as the conditions for granting the permit hinged on agreement by the property owner and track management not to seek any further extensions for operation of the facility.

An important lesson for all of us is contained in this development. To preserve our racetracks in the future, we must work within the community often and with high visibility; recognize and plan for changes of this nature in time to have a positive effect; mobilize your organization’s members and show up in force when actions are needed; minimize the factors that are always going to be used as an excuse to eliminate your facility (noise, lights, and traffic); and perhaps most importantly, be a good neighbor and build up good will in the community at all times – you will someday need it.

It might be your racetrack that is next on the chopping block as massive growth and development create permanent communities right up to the property line. Thanks to the calculus of politics and community involvement, we have another year to find a new home for the sport we love and cherish. A Merry Christmas to everyone, indeed.