Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050768
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STADIUM RACING FOES TO TRY TO GET PERMIT REVERSED

They plan to try to persuade City Council to reverse its decision to allow Whitey Taylor to hold races on three days in the stadium this year.

On 4-3 vote earlier this week, council approved Taylor's proposed use of the stadium despite complaints that the races will disturb hospital patients and nearby residents.

But the issue must come up for another vote Monday night because all ordinances must be approved on two readings.

South Roanoke residents who oppose racing in the stadium are trying to forge a coalition with leaders in other neighborhoods to persuade council to rescind its action.

"We're aligning ourselves with neighborhoods who don't think there should be racing next to residential areas," said Charlie Coulter, vice chairman of Neighbors in South Roanoke.

Coulter said today that the residents are trying to get a large crowd at Monday night's meeting.

"This is not just a South Roanoke issue. We've spoken to some civic leaders for other neighborhoods, and they agree that residential areas are not the place for racing," Coulter said. "We are trying to break the myth that it is just South Roanoke against racing."

Fliers have been distributed in several neighborhoods urging residents to call council members and attend the meeting.

"We have one more chance to stop auto racing in at Victory Stadium," the flier reads. "All that is needed to win against racing at the stadium is to change one council member's vote. Please call all council members."

The flier gives the phone numbers of council members.

Vice Mayor Howard Musser and David Bowers, who favored a trial two years ago when council rejected a similar request, were joined by James Harvey and William White in approving it this time.

The four council members said they favored the request because the city should offer well-rounded recreational opportunities and make better use of the stadium if the races don't create problems.

Bowers said today that he hasn't heard anything this week that would change his mind. He still believes Taylor should be allowed to have a trial race. The other council members who supported a trial race could not be reached for comment.

Bowers said he believes there may be a misunderstanding about council's action. Council agreed to allow Taylor to hold races three days this year - May 27, July 5 and Sept. 2. Some residents mistakenly believe council approved weekly races, he said.

The city will have the right to cancel the final two days if the first race causes too many problems.

Mayor Noel Taylor, Elizabeth Bowles and Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. opposed the request to use the stadium where races were held during the early 1950s.

"Racing ought to take place on a race track, and the stadium is not a race track," Fitzpatrick said.

The racing promoter must provide security and parking plans at least 30 days before the first race, comply with insurance requirements and make a $10,000 cash deposit to ensure payment of city expenses.

South Roanoke residents submitted a petition signed by more than 100 people opposing Taylor's request. They argued that the races will cause noise, traffic and parking problems, in addition to damaging the track and polluting the Roanoke River.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING