Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991 TAG: 9102260375
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Several Roanoke City Council members said they are willing to consider his request to use the stadium for races if he will comply with the conditions he outlined at Monday's meeting.
But they want to see a written proposal before they vote.
Council asked the racing promoter to list the types of cars that would race and his plans for controlling noise and handling parking.
Council also requested the results of noise tests at similar race tracks and asked that Taylor agree to noise tests at Victory Stadium if he is allowed to hold a trial race.
In the meantime, council asked City Manager Robert Herbert and other officials to determine the amount and terms of a performance bond Taylor would be required to post.
Taylor said he would provide the written proposal and agree to the noise tests.
Councilman James Harvey said he would vote to allow Taylor to conduct a trial race if he complies with the proposed conditions and provides an adequate bond.
Two years ago, council rejected a similar request on a 4-2 vote.
Vice Mayor Howard Musser and Councilman David Bowers, who favored a trial race two years ago, said there seems to be more sentiment now for a test run.
But Mayor Noel Taylor said it "would be a hard call" to predict whether whether council will approve Taylor's request.
"There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but I want to give him a fair shot," said Councilman William White.
Two members who opposed Taylor's request in 1989 - Robert Garland and James Trout - are no longer on council. Harvey, a former stock car driver, and White replaced them.
In an effort to try to eliminate objections from South Roanoke residents, Taylor said the races would be held between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. He said he would prefer the races begin at 8 p.m., but he is willing to "work with the neighborhood and council in any way I can to make it work."
Barbara Duerk and Charles Coulter, leaders of a South Roanoke neighborhood group, urged council to reject Taylor's request.
They said automobile racing in the stadium would cause noise, parking and trash problems. Duerk said the residents also are concerned about alcohol consumption at the stadium.
"We are not against racing, but we don't think the appropriate place is Victory Stadium," Duerk said. "I just don't think the facility is adequate for automobile racing."
South Roanoke residents and Roanoke Memorial Hospital officials opposed racing in the stadium when Taylor submitted his request two years ago, saying they feared it would create noise problems and disrupt the neighborhood.
Taylor said Monday night that he shared the concerns and would deal with all the problems cited.
The race cars will have mufflers similar to those on cars that race at Bowman Gray Stadium in a residential area in Winston-Salem, N.C., he said.
Taylor also said he would use Valley Metro shuttle buses to transport spectators to the stadium to prevent parking problems. No alcoholic beverages would be sold during races and none would be permitted in the stadium, he said.
Taylor has proposed a series of three races, with the first on Monday night of Memorial Day weekend. He also wants to hold races on July 5 and on Labor Day.
Taylor will continue his weekly races at Franklin County Speedway and wants to use the stadium for only three events a year.
In rejecting the request two years ago, a majority of council members said auto races would conflict with the master plan that calls for the stadium and the city's sports complex to be used only for athletics.
Herbert recommended at that time that council reject the request on this basis. Council did not seek the city manager's opinion on the latest request Monday night.
by CNB