THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995                 TAG: 9508040190
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: By MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   66 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: **************************************************** ************* A Sun story Sunday on a recent meeting of opponents to a proposed race track in Suffolk incorrectly attributed a quote. Martha George, to whom the quote was attributed, did not attend the meeting. Susan C. Blankenship of Chesapeake was the source of the quote. The Sun regrets the error. Correction published in the Suffolk Sun, Thursday, August 10, 1995, on page 7. ***************************************************************** RACE TRACK FOES GIRD FOR FIGHT AGAINST CITY

With less than a month to go before the scheduled trial, opponents of a proposed race track are trying to raise more money to fund their case against the city of Suffolk.

The money will be used to pay legal fees all the way to the state Supreme Court, according to organizers. Another $3,000 is needed.

The fund-raising effort has hardly dampened the hopes of the race track opponents, who are breathing easy. Not a single shovelful of dirt has been dug at the proposed site since it was approved in March. Opponents credit their lawsuit with the delay.

Citizens Against the Racetrack, known by the acronym C.A.R., are scheduled to bring their lawsuit against the city to trial on Aug. 28, in Suffolk Circuit Court. That court date is not expected to be delayed.

The lawsuit, filed in February shortly after the Suffolk City Council approved a 684-acre industrial park and race track near the Chesapeake-Suffolk city line, asks the city to reverse its decision on the race track.

Opponents allege in the lawsuit that the site was rezoned illegally and that opponents of the race track were given little say in the process.

The industrial park and race track were approved in January. Three months later, the council and local planning commission approved both projects again after opponents discovered that Suffolk officials had not given Chesapeake officials enough notice on a public hearing in December. Since then, the case has moved forward only on paper as attorneys for both sides prepare their cases.

Confidence is high for the track opponents, who met on Wednesday night to bring more local neighborhoods into their camp while attempting to raise another $3,000 for court fees. Dave Walkup, a leader of the race track opponents, said the extra money will help pay for bringing the case to the state Supreme Court.

``We think we can lose a few of the battles,'' said Walkup, ``and still win the war.''

Track opponents in Portsmouth, Suffolk and Chesapeake have said throughout the conflict that Suffolk officials did not let them have their say. These claims were made after numerous public hearings were held over a two-month period before the initial vote.

Local residents worry that noise and air pollution from the track will disturb their lives and lower their property values. They filed suit against the city in February, saying the industrial park and race track violate Suffolk's comprehensive plan.

``I have some very positive vibes,'' said Martha George, a C.A.R. organizer. ``It's actually better for them not to build until the lawsuit is over. That's a pretty big risk.'' by CNB