Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 29, 1991 TAG: 9103290731
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I don't think we will ever know the answers to some of the concerns and questions unless we let him try it one time, and see if it creates a problem," Musser said.
City Council will decide Monday whether Taylor, owner of the Franklin County Speedway, will be permitted to use the stadium for races.
Taylor wants to hold three races this year with the first on May 27, the Monday night of Memorial Day weekend. He also wants to hold races on July 5 and on Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Musser said a majority of council appears inclined to approve a trial race if Taylor will agree to conditions that are being worked out with city officials.
City Manager Robert Herbert and City Attorney Wilburn Dibling have submitted a 12-page agreement to Taylor covering noise, parking, safety fences, liability insurance and other issues.
The agreement requires the promoter to provide $3 million in liability insurance to cover spectators and $100,000 in property damage coverage. Taylor also would be required to post a $10,000 cash bond.
The promoter would be required to use mufflers on the race cars and provide a written plan for handling overflow parking.
"There are a few things we are still negotiating, but I am ready to put the hammer down on it," Taylor said today. He said earlier he would put mufflers on the cars to reduce noise, erect safety fences and use shuttle buses to handle overflow parking.
Taylor said the requirement for $3 million in liability insurance seems excessive because the Roanoke Civic Center requires only $500,000 for events there.
Two years ago, council rejected a similar request by Taylor on a 4-2 vote. Two members who opposed it - Robert Garland and James Trout - no longer are on council.
The leaders of the South Roanoke neighborhood group have urged council to reject the request. They said automobile racing in the stadium would generate noise, parking and trash problems. They said they were also concerned about alcohol consumption at the stadium, but Taylor said no alcohol would be sold at races.
Roanoke Memorial Hospital officials said they were concerned that stock car races could cause noise, parking and crowd control problems in the vicinity of the hospital.
Thomas Robertson, president of Carilion Health System Inc., has written to council members urging them to review the request carefully.
Robertson said the proposal is a major concern for the hospital and its patients. He suggested that a committee with representatives from the hospital and the South Roanoke neighborhood be appointed to review the request and make a recommendation.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB