OP-ED : MAKE SOME NOISE

The threat from residential developers also remains significant , as most recently , the owners of Bradenton Motorsports Park and the Freedom Factory are actively defending their facilities in a battle with the adjacent property owner who is seeking to build more than four thousand homes next door to the historic racetrack . Some locals may see undeveloped farmlands as a net positive , but developers salivate over the enormous profits

to be made as the stage is set for a potential battle between new to-be residents and the neighboring racetrack .

Although it seems the number of racetracks in our country will likely dwindle away , there is hope , and there are things we can do to prevent this from happening . The potential for racetracks to stay in business and turn a profit is still very much alive . Many tracks like Orlando Speed World Dragway , Darlington Dragway , and Maple Grove Raceway are doing just that while their local racers show them unwavering support .

However , the reality is just as fast as the impending closure of Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and the potential loss of Palm Beach and Memphis International Raceway hit their respective racing communities . The same fate could happen to your local racetrack .

As most racers watched from a distance , hundreds of people showed up for both the Palm Beach County and Manatee County hearings to support their raceways . The presence of these individuals at public hearings is and will continue to be , a vital role in keeping the sport of drag

racing alive . People need to continue to share their voices in front of the elected officials who have the power to sway the issue one way or the other . If not , racetracks will soon disappear one by one – but only if we let them .

The world of motorsports also watched – on a federal level – Top Fuel driver Antron Brown speak at the United States Capitol in support of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports ( RPM ) Act , which will protect law-abiding citizens who convert their personal vehicles solely for use in racing competitions . This was another perfect example of an opportunity taken to advocate for motorsports on a national level .

As far as land development goes , large-scale projects routinely slip through the local planning and zoning division cracks and are approved without residents knowing about the projects , let alone realizing the effect they will have on the community . Staying connected with your local government is a surefire way to become more familiar with the process projects must go through for approval . With that being said , if your racetrack is threatened to be overtaken by urban

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24 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 180