This message was edited on
April 27, 2007 at
12:36:16 AM by ljennings
Below is a letter that we received about a movement at Altamont Motorsports Park to ban all motorsports, except "NASCAR-type events." This includes Sprint Cars, Midgets, and Spec Sprints.
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Good day to all -
Last Tuesday, 24 April, a meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors was called to discuss an appeal made by Mark and Karen Rivard (next door neighbors to Altamont Motorsports Park) regarding a recent, favorable decision by the East County Board of Zoning Adjustments and the Alameda County Planning Department to allow overnight RV use at the raceway, and to verify the question, "Is Drifting a valid form or motorsports that should be allowed use at Altamont Motorsports Park." As stated, both of these issues were approved one month earlier.
However, at the hearing, Board President Scott Haggerty erupted into varying tirades, claiming that a recent autocross event held at AMP was a Drifting event, charging that AMP management lied to Alameda County about the event. (Drifting was under a temporary restriction pending this hearing.) Although AMP came prepared to discuss the matter, Supervisor Haggerty took no time or effort to understand the difference between professional Drifting and autocross, or the fact that 4-wheel drifts occur in sports car racing, sprint car racing and almost every facet of our sport where a car is required to turn. At the end of his 20-minute verbal lashing, Supervisor Haggerty single-handedly leveraged the remaining Board members into approving a ban on all forms of motorsports except "NASCAR-type events that race in timed laps using only the 1/2 and 1/4 mile oval tracks and have a common start and finish line." It was clear to all at the meeting that Supervisor Haggerty, reading his decision from prepared notes, came to the meeting with his mind already made up and the ban already written. By NASCAR-type races, we can only assume that he means "stock car" events; therefore, banning all other forms of vehicles and types of events. This means that any and all forms of sports car, sprint car, karting, autocross, car rallies, drifting, motorcycle and anything else that doesn't look like a NASCAR stock car is banned from AMP.
Upset? You should be.
So, we need some help... and although AMP cannot organize anything or participate directly, we're hoping that you, as a "Friend of Altamont Motorsports Park" could assist us in getting the attached petition sent to anyone and everyone you know. Once each page of the petition has been signed (by one person or the entire page is filled) get it faxed to Alameda County ASAP. No delays! Don't eave this sitting on some desk for a few days.
Also, e-Mails to Mr. Chris Bazar, the Director of Alameda County Planning Department, are tremendously helpful, too! e-Mail to: [email protected]
Thanks for the support and help!
John F.S. Condren, CEO
Riverside Motorsports Park LLC
Altamont Motorsports Park LLC
3333 G Street - Castle Aviation Center
Atwater, CA 95301
209.383.RMP1 or 209.383.7671 (Office)
209.383.7771 (Fax)
209.564.6742 (Cell Phone)
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