Update
I spent the day at the track yesterday with other contributors to try and figure out a way to re-open the track. And we’ve formulated a plan of action.
The first step is to propose a re-application to see if the town is even open to the possibility of letting the track operate. This means the track would have to make some concessions on noise levels, sound mitigation and in how the track is used. These usage changes wouldn’t effect us with road cars, but rather the R&D aspects of the track. As I’ve previously mentioned most of the noise complaints came from the times when Formula, Indy Lights and other teams used the track for testing. This proposal of a re-application will happen in the next few days.
To assist the track and show our support, NYSpeed and our sister sites will be starting an online petition to get as many signatures as possible and submit it with the re-application. People have been emailing the local government officials and some of these addresses have actually gone down due to the volume of mail, lol. This will be a way to consolidate these efforts and get everyone unified around a central statement. When the petition is ready, we’ll let you guys know. :tup:
I also want to let you guys know that going forward Lee will no longer be involved. This battle has turned nasty with those in opposition leaving anti-semitic voice mails, threats and even vandalism against the track’s property:
There are many locals that support the track, but they failed to show up and support them during the hearings because they feared the fallout from those in opposition.
You know the ESSO station where you turn just before the track? They offered to put up a sign directing people to the track, but the opposition threatened to boycott the station. And in a small town like this actions like that could seriously hurt business.
There was an ironic story where a guy had reserved rooms at a local bed & breakfast so that he could spend a few days at the track. But after the track was closed, he canceled his reservations. Turns out the owner of the B&B was part of the opposition to the track, lol.
And at the hearings, the opposition completely made stuff up. One woman said their were cars on track ON CHRISTMAS EVE and that the noise was so loud it kept her kids awake (or something along those lines.) They even used pictures similar to this one by Micah so show how unsafe it was to have a track next to an airfield, claiming that it was only a matter of time before a serious accident would occur. “Planes are going to land on the cars! OMG!!!” Obviously this is just a matter of perspective from where the image was taken:
Of course these were challenged as bogus claims, but there is also a political aspect to all of this. And as with some things in life, politics and money can be a destructive force. The party in power actually broadened the definition of “racing” to include “the intent to drive to a track.” They’ve even implemented a $5,000 noise deposit that must be paid when filing the application to re-open. :picard:
And as far as TMP goes (Toronto Motorsports Park) they came out in total opposition to Dunnville. Whatever their motivation was, I can’t say. However it is our position that we will no longer support their track & facility. We’re not going to keep events at their location from being posted on our forums because, unlike them, we want to encourage as much automotive activity in our area as possible. We’re just not going to be spending any of our money at their track. You can make your own decisions.
Again, we’ll let you guys know when the petition is ready :tup: