Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 19, 1993 TAG: 9305190153
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Taylor has not talked with city officials about a third season of racing, causing some to say privately they don't expect him to return.
But the racing promoter said he has been so busy with other things that he has not had time to work out details for racing.
Taylor said he's not ready to quit despite sparse attendance during the first two years of racing in the stadium.
Taylor said he will ask for permission for races on 10 Friday nights this summer, beginning in July.
"There's still plenty of time to work out everything because wewon't start until after July Fourth," he said.
The Music for Americans show is booked in the stadium for the Independence Day holiday.
Taylor will have to sign a new contract with the city if he wants racing again.
Despite reservations about racing from some officials and City Council members, Taylor said he hopes they will be more cooperative now that Gary Fenton, former parks and recreation manager, has left to take a similar job in Columbus, Ohio.
"Gary was opposed to racing, and I hope the city will be easier to work with now," Taylor said. "He was the one who wanted us to take down and put up the guardrail and fences every time."
Councilman Howard Musser said Tuesday that Taylor will have to comply with all of the city's safety rules and regulations if he wants to race again.
"I guess we will let him do it if the dates are available and he follows the regulations," Musser said.
When the racing started, Taylor predicted it could generate $50,000 to $75,000 a year for the city. But he said it would take three or four years to build up the crowds.
The racing generated $11,769 for the city last year, far less than what Taylor had predicted. The city's income for the first year was $7,675.
Taylor requested 20 nights of racing last year; council authorized eight and there were only six. One race was canceled because of the weather and the other was moved to the Franklin County Speedway, a track owned by Taylor.
The Labor Day race was shifted to Franklin County partly because Taylor wanted to avoid the cost of putting up and taking down safety fences for only one race.
by CNB