Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 2, 1991 TAG: 9104020436
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Despite a strong protest by South Roanoke residents and Roanoke Memorial Hospital officials, City Council voted Monday to allow Donald "Whitey" Taylor to hold races on three days in the stadium this year.
But the city will have the right to cancel the final two days if the first races on May 27 cause too much noise, traffic congestion, parking problems or other disruptions.
Council gave the green flag to Taylor, the flamboyant owner of the Franklin County Speedway, on a 4-3 vote despite complaints that the races will disturb hospital patients and nearby residents.
Taylor must provide security and parking plans at least 30 days before the first race, comply with insurance requirements and make a $10,000 cash deposit to ensure payment of city expenses.
The racing promoter assured council he will meet all conditions and sign a 13-page license agreement that will permit him to use the stadium on July 5 and Sept. 2 in addition to Monday night on Memorial Day weekend.
Vice Mayor Howard Musser and David Bowers, who favored a trial two years ago when council rejected a similar request, were joined by James Harvey and William White in approving it this time.
The four councilmen said they favored the request because the city should offer well-rounded recreational opportunities and make better use of the stadium if the races do not create problems. A trial is the only way to determine whether the objections are valid, Musser said.
Harvey and White, elected last year, replaced two members who opposed racing when it was considered two years ago - Robert Garland and James Trout.
Mayor Noel Taylor, Elizabeth Bowles and Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. opposed the request to use the stadium, where weekly races were held during the summer in the early 1950s.
"Racing ought to take place on a race track, and the stadium is not a race track," said Fitzpatrick, recalling that he once went to a race there when he was a boy.
The master plan calls for the stadium and city's sports complex to be used only for athletics, he said. "We spent a lot of money to make it an athletic complex."
Fitzpatrick said he shared the concerns voiced by Roanoke Memorial officials and doctors that races could disturb patients in the hospital and the Cancer Center of Southwest Virginia.
Thomas Robertson, president of Carilion Health Systems Inc.,said he was worried about noise and its effect on patients, especially those needing a quiet environment. Robertson said he was concerned that the city's agreement with Taylor does not establish noise levels.
One of the most emotional pleas came from Jack Hutcherson Jr., a medical oncologist and specialist in treating cancer patients. The cancer-treatment center is only 150 yards from the stadium and is in the direct path of its amphitheater effect, he said.
The racing promoter said the race cars will have mufflers, but Hutcherson said racing engines cannot be effectively muffled. In addition, there will be noise from the public-address system, squealing of brakes and tires and the roar of the crowd, he said. The noises of a football game pale in comparison to those of stock-car races, he said.
The cancer treatment center is a place of comfort for seriously and terminally ill patients, including many in great pain, he said.
"These people cannot be here today to tell you what they think, but I have asked them, and they are horrified that you would even consider this idea," Hutcherson told council. "I ask you to consider carefully the wisdom of . . . considering a proposition that really amounts to torture of a captive group of ill people."
If council allowed the races, Hutcherson said he would give heavier doses of pain relievers and sedatives to his patients on race day.
The racing promoter contends the races won't disturb patients. "There will be no noise inside the hospital. Unless people look outside, they won't even know there is a race," he said.
Harvey said he is concerned about the hospital patients, too, and he will insist that the city cancel the agreement if the races on the first day create noise problems. The council members who favor races in the stadium on a trial are "just as concerned about the patients as anyone else," he said.
But there are other noises in the vicinity of the hospital, including the hospital's own helicopter landing and taking off, and fireworks in the stadium that are part of the July 4 celebration, Harvey said.
South Roanoke residents submitted a petition signed by more than 100 people opposing Taylor's request. They argued that the races will cause noise, traffic and parking problems, in addition to damaging the track and polluting the Roanoke River.
Charlie Coulter said it will take "thousands of tax dollars to clean and repair" the track, stadium and related property after the races. Kevin Martin said the races will jeopardize the safety of the drivers because the flat track is too narrow and not designed for stock cars.
Ed Natt, an attorney for the racing promoter, said the races will not cause any more problems than football games in the stadium. Taylor has agreed to repair any damage to the track or stadium, he said.
The races would be held between 5 and 8 p.m. The gates would be open at 1 p.m. with qualifying and practice laps in the afternoon.
Under the agreement, Taylor can hold up to six races per day, with no more than 24 cars per race. One race may have 50 laps and the remaining races must be 25 or fewer laps. The city will have the right to approve the types of cars.
The racing promoter will be required to install a safety fence to protect spectators, hire security officers and develop a plan for overflow parking. He must also install concrete barriers at each end of the stadium and along the inside of the track to protect the property.
Spectators will not be allowed to sit in the first five rows of the stands. No alcohol sales or consumption will be permitted in the stadium during races. The promoter will be required to provide $3 million in liability insurance to cover spectators and $100,000 in property damage coverage.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB