Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991 TAG: 9104040532
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
City Council's 4-3 vote to approve Whitey Taylor's proposal was a mistake, given the promoter's somewhat checkered background. On the other hand, racing fans will be pleased, and some use will be made of an underused facility.
Fortunately, city officials have reserved the right to cancel two out of three of the planned events if the first one (on May 27) causes too much noise, traffic, parking problems or other disruptions.
Officials drove a reasonable bargain, requiring Taylor to provide security and parking plans at least 30 days before the first race. They're also asking him to comply with insurance requirements, and to lay down a $10,000 cash deposit to ensure payment of city expenses.
Still, the task of enforcing the bargain remains. City officials must make every effort before the race to ensure that all requirements are met. Just as important, they should take great care during and immediately after the first race to see if there's any reason to disallow the subsequent events.
In the meantime, they and everyone else should neglect Taylor's effort (seconded by some council members) to portray the issue as a cultural conflict between affluent South Roanokers who disdain racing and blue-collar Roanokers who like it.
The objections that have been raised are not to racing as such, but to racing next door to a residential neighborhood and across the street from a hospital. Auto racing is not a quiet sport, and no special equipment installed in the cars will make it so.
Another objection is that the city has entered into a business partnership with a promoter as infamous for attracting lawsuits as for issuing flamboyant statements.
Vice Mayor Howard Musser says a trial is the only way to determine for sure whether the objections to racing in Victory Stadium are valid. He makes a good point. But the trial must be fairly and stringently officiated. It is troubling, for example, that the agreement with Taylor apparently does not spell out permissible, measurable noise levels.
As City Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. notes, "The stadium is not a race track." It's up to Taylor, therefore, to prove that it can be converted to stock-car racing without any damage to the track, without serious traffic or parking problems, and without noise levels that unduly disturb Roanoke Memorial Hospital patients and nearby residents.
It's up to city officials to satisfy themselves that such a demonstration has been made, and up to the public to hold them accountable for the proof. Without it, the city should cancel the other races.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB