Protecting the Community

ISC the company that wants to build a NASCAR race track in Washington State has built several of the most successful tracks in America. Some of the tracks included Daytona Speedway as well as their most recent tracks in Kansas. In every community where they build a track ISC puts effort into the environment and local community surrounding the track.ISC recognizes that a clean, safe, and healthy environment is critical to the well being of their employees, customers, guests, and other persons in the communities where our facilities are located example, Safety-Klein handles disposal and recycling of petroleum-based materials and other race-related wastes at all our facilities. They also have several partnerships with companies like Waste Management and Sweeping Corp. of America to conduct waste removal and recycling at our facilities. Sunoco, as the official fuel of NASCAR, maintains and monitors their underground fuel tanks at our facilities in full compliance with government regulations. And NASCAR has announced a shift to unleaded fuel in the near future.
In addition to pre- and post-event clean-up, they implement environmentally friendly initiatives throughout our portfolio of facilities including:
- The upkeep and enhancement of federally protected wetlands areas at our facilities in Michigan and Darlington.- Richmond International Raceway's maintenance team conducts a monthly clean up of local neighborhood roads, mostly near Richmond Henrico Turnpike, to "beautify the neighborhood."- California Speedway hosts several community events annually to recycle such items like gas-powered mowers for electric and older toilets for new low-flo environmentally friendly toilets. The old toilets are recycled - crushed and used as road base. Finally, the facility is a drop off point for proper disposal of old televisions, computer monitors, etc.

Flaws in the Survey

As I stated before I recently came across a site called C.H.E.C.K. this group is against a track being built in Kitsap County.They recently conducted a survey in Kitsap where only 46% of the 300 people they surveyed were for the track. When I read over the way the survey was conducted I was very suspect of the survey and it seems their were others who were too. The way the survey results are presented by C.H.E.C.K. make it appear as if voters in Kitsap are against the track, when not a large enough section of the county was surveyed. The most vital information for why the survey should be thrown out is the financing proposal on the survey was incorrect. I think this shows absolute irresponsibility because the finacial proposal for the track has been available since early 2006.The following are Grant Lynch's response to the survey.He is the President of GWS.
"We are very pleased with the recently released results of the Kitsap County NASCAR Survey. Despite some inaccurate characterizations of our financing proposal, county residents demonstrated a strong level of support for the development of a motorsports and multi-use recreational facility south of the Bremerton Airport. In fact, 46 percent of respondents stated they were in favor of the project.
“However, we were disappointed that the survey included questions that inaccurately characterized our financing proposal. Our plan was positioned as being 'similar to the way that other facilities in the state have been financed' when in fact, our financing proposal is unlike any other public/private partnership presented to the state. First, the survey failed to mention GWS’ $166 million investment - the single largest private investment for a sports facility in the state’s history. Second, our financing proposal will not create new taxes, nor will it raise current taxes. Finally, and the most significant difference, out-of-state tourists and visitors to the facility during race events will generate the necessary revenue to help finance the part of the construction not being paid for by GWS. Also, revenue generated by the spending of out-of-state race fans will be captured across Washington state, not just in Kitsap County, and will be applied to construction.
“Despite the inaccuracies, the results of the survey demonstrate that residents recognize and value the significant potential economic benefit of our project. In addition, results from Kitsap County’s 2006 Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey showed that 64% of residents believed the revenue from a motorsports and multi-use recreational facility would be a major benefit to the county. In fact, the facility could generate over $4 billion in economic benefit to Washington, including $1.1 billion to Kitsap County and thousands of jobs. Moreover, tourists will attend races, spend money locally and stay to visit attractions throughout the region.
“We are very encouraged by the survey results as well as by the very positive feedback we have received at the numerous community events which we have attended in recent weeks. In fact, we have collected over 17,500 petitions in support of our project to date. We are thankful to the local communities for allowing us to take part in their events including the quicksilver Hydroplane races, the Kitsap County Fair and the Bremerton Blackberry Festival. Some of these events have a long-standing tradition in the community and we are proud to have been a part of them.

Kasey Kahne Backs the Track

Kasey Kahne Driver of the #9 Dodge is a native of Washington State and is currently competing for the Championship title in the NEXTEL CUP SERIES. The frenzy surrounding Kahne began early in the Washington state native's life. In 1994 he won four Micro-Midget events racing a car prepared by his father. In '96 he won 11 of 14 Mini-Sprint events to win both the Hannigan (Wash.) Speedway and Northwest Mini-Sprints championships. Kasey has won six races this year, the most recent win came at the Charlotte race two weeks ago. This weekends race is at Atlanta Speedway where Kasey captured the spring 2006 race and is predicted to repeat.

The City of Enumclaw, the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce, and Allstate Insurance co-sponsored a celebration in honor of one of Enumclaw's favorite sons - Kasey Kahne, 2004 NASCAR Rookie of the Year and Winner of the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Race at Richmond International Raceway. Kahne is another supporter of the track, Kahne believes Washington State would be a perfect place to host a summer race.

Publics for a NASCAR track in Washington State

C.H.E.C.K, the group I was talking about in a previous blog that is against the track because they believe that it will not improve the economy in Kitsap and Washington State. My question to C.H.E.C.K. is if your statement is true how come the experts on economic growth in Kitsap County and Washington State are for the track? The following are a list of press releases from several publics stating their support for the track. Primarily because of the economic impact on Washington State. Might I add these are only a selected few, there are plenty more.

July 18, 2006
ISC proposal to WA. Legislators went favorable for Speedway: A pair of South Sound congressmen have added their support to a Florida company’s proposal to build the Northwest’s first NASCAR speedway. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, told a group of state lawmakers Wednesday that he and Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, would push for federal money to help pay for transportation and other improvements associated with the possible $345 million track in rural Kitsap County. Smith said the proposal from International Speedway Corp. could finally provide the region with a major sports tourism draw somewhere other than King County. And more importantly, he said, it would generate more out-of-state tourism dollars than Safeco Field, Qwest Field or any other sports venue in the state. “It could really help us grow in the South Sound region,” Smith said during a meeting with legislators at the Port of Seattle headquarters. ISC representatives and local officials, including Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, spoke about the benefits a racetrack could bring to Washington. (News Tribune)

June 1, 2006
The Master Builders Association (MBA) of Pierce County has endorsed the proposed NASCAR racetrack in the Bremerton area, according to a statement released today. “The economic benefit that will be enjoyed by both Kitsap and Pierce Counties from the racetrack and associated business growth is great,” stated MBA President Todd Lord. “Pierce County will also enjoy the synergy between the LeMay car museum and the racetrack -- the sum could be greater than the parts.” The MBA of Pierce County is a non-profit trade association comprised of more than 950 builder and associate member companies employing over 10,000 people in Pierce County. (Daily Index)

Jan. 20 2006
Add the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce to the list of business groups supporting a plan to build a speedway in Kitsap County. The chamber issued a written endorsement Tuesday speculating that race fans would spend a lot of money locally, that the proposed financing package would not cost local taxpayers additional funds and that the facility could be used for other purposes. "We see the potential for use by the Scouts, youth groups, car clubs, camping groups, equestrians and more," Chamber board president Gene Straw said in a press release. "It will bring people into our area from all interest groups and allow us to showcase the best aspects of life in the Northwest." International Speedway Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary Great Western Sports, proposes a $345 million NASCAR-style speedway on 950 acres near Bremerton National Airport. The Silverdale chamber's announcement continues a trend of business organizations that are offering support for the plan. The Bremerton, Port Orchard and Shelton chambers, the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Kitsap Economic Development Council all offered earlier endorsements.

Dec 10, 2005
Tourism Bureau supports speedway: Acknowledging the tourism benefits of NASCAR, Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau became the first organization to officially endorse a plan to build a major motor speedway in South Kitsap. Given the information currently available, there is no question that the tourism industry will benefit from the track, which International Speedway Corp. proposes to build.

NEW YORK : The Competition

I was searching on the internet and I came across an article about a proposed track in Statan Island, NEW YORK. I had heard some rumors about it but wasn't sure if it was seriously being considered. There is currently a road course NASCAR races at in NEW YORK but nothing like the track being proposed. The track would be the largest sports facility in NEW YORK.Near the racetrack would be a new mall and apartments. I found this article from the Gotham Gazette. Even though New York is on the other side of the country, they are faced with similar problems in getting a track built. Plus, they are a threat, ISC is less likely to build a track in Washington State right away if a track gets passed in NEW YORK first.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/landuse/20050614/12/1442

Build a Track and They Will Come and Bring money! Well that depends on who you ask!

I was researching publics who were against a track being built in Washington State and I came across a group called C.H.E.C.K. ( Coalition for Healthy Economic choices for Kitsap). There quote "evidence" for why they don't support the track got me fired up not just because I am a race fan but because I am also a voter! So after examining their website I went on to find publics that support the track in order to lift my spirits back up. I found an article that talks about the Lt. Gov of Kitsap and his views on bringing a track to Washington. The following are some quotes from the interview.

Lt. Gov. Owen, who lives in nearby Shelton off Route 3, said he is a supporter of bringing NASCAR to Washington, not because he is a racing fan but because of the projected economic impact.
"I've always felt that the track was a tremendous economic opportunity for the state that would be foolish to pass up," Owen said.
Economic development agencies throughout the region have competed in efforts to lure the track, which could generate $87.3 million to $121.8 million in business a year, mostly from out-of-state tourists, according to a study commissioned by supporters.
ISC owns most of its 11 tracks outright, but the proposed track near Marysville would have been publicly owned and leased to the company for three car races a year -- the same number contemplated at the Bremerton National site.
Company officials said a similar partnership is part of the new plan.
ISC officials said they were eager to build a racetrack in the Pacific Northwest, which now has at least 11,000 ticket-buying fans, because the Southeast market is well-saturated and the nearest West Coast track is in Sonoma, Calif., about 40 miles north of San Francisco, Lynch said.
"When you look at the map, there's basically a quarter of the country that we're not serving," Lynch said.

There are fans in Washington State!

When I bring up the topic of bringing a track to Washington State, the first question I get asked is, "are there really racing fans in Washington State?"

I know there are some in America who still view the sport as a southern pride, confederate, good ol'd boy sport. But, if you were to turn on a race, lets say this Saturday at 4:00p.m. on NBC, you would realize it's as much of a national sport as the NBA, NFL, MLB and even the NHL. Last weekend at Talladega there were 800,000 fans at the track. The fall race in California was sold out. NASCAR continuously has some of the highest ratings in sports, and that can't all be from the south. If NASCAR is only a Southern sport, then how is it possible that one of the largest and most loyal fan bases belongs to Jeff Gordon, a native of California.

"We believe that this event will help legislators and other business leaders in Washington understand that motorsports truly has a dedicated following in this area and that there is considerable support for our proposal to build a track here," said Grant Lynch, project leader for GWS. "And we know that a world-class facility in Washington State will not only attract local fans, but race fans from all over the country will experience the excitement of major motorsports."


http://www.teamkellyracing.com/news/?p=3

Noise? ZOOM... ZOOM...ZOOM....

Controlling The Noise: "Modern motorsports facilities are designed and constructed with acoustics in mind. They are designed to minimize the amount of noise that leaves the site. For example, at our facility in Fontana, California, vehicles passing on a street 1/2 mile from the track are louder than a racecar itself. A Washington facility, like our speedway in Kansas City, will be built in a bowl excavated in the site to reduce the level of sound leaving the track area." http://www.race2wa.com/the_plan/speedway/

What brought this topic to my attention was when I mentioned building a racetrack in Washington State to my Grandma Kay, "Racetracks can be very noisey, when we lived a couple miles from the motorcross track it drove me nuts, " she said. So, because of her this issue got my attention. It had never occurred to me before her comment that this could be a problem for voters in Kitsap. When I have left California Speedway, before the race was over, even right outside the facility I have never heard the track noise. But, from researching I have found that noise control is an important topic among voters. So, I have decided to research the topic of noise control. The above information about noise control comes from www.race2wa.com. So, in closing, if anyone has topics they feel need to be researched let me know because this topic hadn't occurred to me and it is obviously an important one for local voters.

Evergreen State

Racing on a local level in Washington State is huge. No matter if its motorcross, stock cars, late models, go carts, dirt track or pavement, motorsports racing in Washington State brings out fans. The main tracks that are keeping racing alive in Washington State are Evergreen Motor Speedway, Wenatchee Valley Super Oval and Yakima Speedway. Two notable drivers in the NEXTEL NASCAR CUP SERIES hail from the Evergreen State. Kasey Kahne driver of the #9 Dodge and Greg Biffle driver of the #16 Ford. Kasey Kahne won the title of NASCAR rookie of the year in 2004. He is one of the sports most popular drivers and has won six races this year and is currently competing in the " Chase for the Chamionship," NASCAR's version of the playoffs. Greg Biffle finished second in the 2005 Championship behind Tony Stewart. Biffle races for Rousch Racing one of the premier teams in NASCAR.
Keeping it on track- provided by www.NASCAR.com

link:http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/02/15/daytona.countdown.wash/index.html
Evergreen Speedway
Located in Monroe and active since 1954, the combination three-eighths/five-eighths oval hosts the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Shane Harding won nine races in 2005 to finish 12th in the Division I standings.

Wenatchee Valley Super Oval
Jeff Jefferson won both of the 2005 Northwest Series events at the paved high-banked quarter-mile in East Wenatchee.

Yakima Speedway
The half-mile oval in Yakima hosted the Northwest Series three times in 2005, with Brandon Riehl winning two of the three races there.
Gone but not forgotten

The Stuggle Continues!!

On Sept 13, 2006 the associated press released information surrounding a survey conducted in Kitasp county. Only 600 people were surveyed and the topic outcome was split right down the middle. As the article declares the biggest problem would be the potential traffic and enviromental issues. While the overall motivating factor would be the economic impact on Kitsap county. This facility would be the first major sporting venue outside of King County. King County is the most economically successful county in the state. ISC declares that the meeting in Jan. is their last attempt to build a track in Washington State. That is why it is vital to make your voice heard and contact your representatives in Washington State. Visit www.race2wa.com this website has a lot of information about how to contact representatives and how to get involved in getting a track passed in Washington State.
Associated Press:
A survey of Kitsap County residents has found about half would like to see a NASCAR racetrack in the area and about half think it would be a bad idea. Elway Research Inc.'s survey of 600 county residents, released Monday, showed 46 percent were either strongly in favor or inclined to favor the speedway. The same number were either strongly against or inclined to oppose it. Nine percent had no opinion.The survey, commissioned by the county, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.Florida-based International Speedway Corp. wants to build a track for NASCAR races and other events on 950 acres near Bremerton National Airport and the Mason County line. The organization has said it would spend $166 million on the track, and another $166 million would be paid by sales taxes and $13 million would come from taxes on ticket sales.Elway Research said those surveyed indicated the biggest benefit of the proposed track would be its impact on the economy. They said the impact on roads and other public works would be its biggest potential detriment.Many of the county residents surveyed said they expected their taxes to go up because of the track.

NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. says "YES" to a track in Washingotn State!!!

In a recent trip to Washington State for fan appreciation NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was asked the same question over and over by NASCAR fans " Will there be a track in Washington State and would you want to race here?" Dale Earnhardt Jr. driver of the number 8 Budweiser Chevy, son of one of racings most successful and popular driver's answered "Yes". The Paramount theatre was sold out the night Dale Earnhardt Jr. came to town. The following is an interview conducted by a Seattle Times reporter.

"I think it would work here," said Earnhardt, currently fourth in NASCAR's Nextel Cup points standings, one place behind Enumclaw, Wash.'s Kasey Kahne."

I don't see why not."Voted his sport's most popular driver in each of the last three years, Earnhardt took part in a "One Night Stand" event before a few thousand race fans Thursday at The Paramount Theatre. He flew from his home in Charlotte, N.C., to Seattle in the afternoon, then flew on a private jet a few hours later to Sonoma, Calif., to race in this weekend's Dodge/Save Mart 350.

Brian Eaton, public relations coordinator for Earnhardt's tour that began a few years ago, said the Seattle event was the first in an area lacking a NASCAR track. Eaton's said the sport's research shows the Pacific Northwest is filled with NASCAR followers.Yet the nearest NASCAR site is 800 miles south, Sonoma's Infineon Raceway.

That's another reason Earnhardt was signing autographs, conducting a press conference and answering Seattle-area fans' questions amid a rock concert.Marty Smith, a columnist for NASCAR.com, said the Seattle-Tacoma market and New York City "are the two places where this sport and the brass that run it want to be.

"They are making a considerable effort to see that happens," Smith said."This is the one corner of the country that we have not penetrated and it's time to do it. I know they're making a concerted push to do it."

"People don't just build tracks because the area looks good or the land's cheap or it's a big city," he said. "People build tracks because the fans call and write and complain enough to build one. No way gets this done if the fans aren't vocal about it. That's what's going to make or break the decision."That decision may come during the state's 2007 legislative session, which begins Jan. 8.

"Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle (of Vancouver, Wash.) have been successful and have a huge fan following. It's the 13th largest media market. It's a very attractive market. I think the NASCAR drivers are interested to racing there with such beautiful backdrops."Count Earnhardt among them."I think that there's enough commitment there, but you can't guess on such an expensive investment. So the fans really have to be heard," Earnhardt said. "It'd be cool to have another race track on the circuit. Washington would be a great opportunity."

Legislative Session:International Speedway pitches NASCAR track to key lawmakers.

In June ISC pitched to key lawmakers in Olympia Washington. This was the first time the group had been able to pitch their proposed plan to pay half of the $345 million dollar track in Kitsap County. The meeting was overshadowed by a proposed re-model of Key Area the venue of the Seattle Sonics who had just been boughten out by a buyer in Oklahoma. The potential problem of the Sonics leaving Seattle for Oklahoma took president over the race tracks proposal in lawmakers minds. The following comes from an article from the associated press. It includes quotes from key publics regarding the issue of a track being built in Kitsap County. It also gives interesting insight to what representatives are for and against the track.

John Saunders, International Speedway executive vice president, said the company would work on the project through the summer with local officials and then make a decision on whether to pursue support in the 2007 legislative session."It would be premature for me to speculate on what the outcome of all the work is going to be between now and the end of the summer," Saunders said. "We're still very optimistic and encouraged, particularly by what we heard today, about Kitsap County."Kessler said the project isn't viewed as dead by legislators and is just now getting their attention has said it would cover about half of the project cost, a point it reiterated through numerous speakers on Wednesday, and cover any cost overruns.Under its proposal, the rest of the money would come from state-backed bonds financed by a portion of state sales tax collections and a new levy on racetrack admissions track would be publicly owned on land in rural Kitsap County, just across Puget Sound from Seattle and accessible by bridge and ferry although many question the area's ability to handle race day traffic. A similar plan for a track north of Seattle died when local officials recoiled at the price tag.An International Speedway subsidiary would lease the racetrack, preferably for at least 50 years.Racetrack backers say the plan carries a surefire economic benefit for the state not only paying its own way with increased tax revenue, but returning $43 million to public coffers over the 25-year life of the bonds.Lt. Gov. Brad Owen a project supporter convened Wednesday's meeting, and trotted out various supporters of the project, including Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman and representatives from Kansas and Arizona two areas with ISC tracks.Ladenburg considered himself a skeptic when the project was first proposed. After doing some research, Ladenburg now concludes that NASCAR may be "the only sport that has an economic impact."Proponents of the track pitched the facility on Wednesday as more of a tourist attraction than just a sports facility, continually highlighting the nomadic nature of the NASCAR fans willing to travel for race weekends, spending big money along the way.Meanwhile, opponents focused on traffic trying to get to the track's location, environmental issues and whether Kitsap County wants to be known as a racing community."The track will be a transformational issue for Kitsap County. If built, this will set the tone for the future for years to come," said Ray McGovern, chairman of the Coalition for Healthy Economic Choices in Kitsap. "We'll be known as a racing community. Is that bad? I don't know."U.S. Rep. Adam Smith said he and Rep. Norm Dicks would work on the federal level to find funding to help with infrastructure improvements on the Kitsap Peninsula, including security and transportation.Smith also lauded the possibility of having a regional attraction outside of King County."The number of people who come out for these events and the amount of money they spend is amazing to witness," Smith said.

ISC

As a way to educate various publics about the proposed track I think it is important that I first introduce the company that wants to build the track. International Speedway Corporation is a major company that has contributed to the improvement of racing facilities across the country. International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities. The Company owns and/or operates 11 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the Daytona 500 the Superbowl of NASCAR races); Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway in Virginia; California Speedway near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona; Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida; Martinsville Speedway in Virginia; Darlington Raceway in South Carolina; Watkins Glen International in New York. Other motorsports entertainment facility ownership includes an indirect 37.5% interest in Raceway Associates, LLC, which owns and operates Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, Illinois.The Company also owns and operates MRN Radio, the nation's largest independent sports radio network; DAYTONA USA, the "Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, the official attraction of NASCAR.