
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 16, 1991                   TAG: 9104160497
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOLD A TRIAL RACE ON A CLOSED TRACK IN ROANOKE

OVER THE PAST couple of years, citizens of Roanoke have learned that City Council, before starting any project such as a new building or renovating one, will do one or two things. First, they bring in consultants to advise them on the project. Second, they usually hire a company to tell them if what the consultants told them is feasible.

Why was this not done with stock-car races at Victory Stadium? Is it because the four councilmen who voted yes knew it was the popular thing to do and not the most practical decision?

Councilman Howard Musser was quoted as saying: "A trial race is the only way to determine if the objections are valid." It looks as though the four councilmen think of a trial race as something that takes place only in a crowded stadium.

Before any race was voted on and approved, a trial race on a closed track with no spectators should have taken place. Then we would know the true impact of the races on the stadium and the surrounding neighborhoods. JAMES SPANGLER ROANOKE

by CNB