Racing strip rejected by Benton City Council
By LEWIS DELAVAN News editor

Plans for a street-legal racing strip died at the end of a Benton City Council hearing.

Citing a variety of concerns and widespread public opposition, the city's 10 aldermen voted unanimously to not allow use of the old Saline County Airport for a racing strip.

However, race promoters vowed to find another site for street racing in central Arkansas.

During the meeting, several aldermen said they would vote against the racing strip when it came to a council vote. Alderman Greg White said it would be a courtesy to the racing proponents to kill the issue that night, if it were obvious the proposal would never gain support.

"It doesn't matter if it will be two or three or five years before the old airport is needed for another use," White said. "The point is a majority of the people don't want drag racing at the old airport."

Most aldermen already had expressed opposition. Stracener called for a vote, and the issue was killed.

Early in the meeting, Stracener said he'd like to have one more meeting prior to a council vote. "This is an informational meeting," he said. "We need time to investigate this. At the next meeting, we'll decide whether to move forward."

OPPOSING SIDES FOR RACEWAY LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTOS Airport race strip opponent Ralph Luscher, proponent Drake Mann discuss key points before Benton City Council members voted to not lease the track for street-legal racing.

Stracener is chairman of the council's economic development committee, which hosted the meeting. He said the city hadn't endorsed the racing strip, but was holding the meeting to assess the proposal, because racers had approached the city.

Alderman Larry Wolf said he's never received as many calls on one topic. "I have yet to get a positive call," he said.

Alderman Joe Lee Richards said the

Alderman Joe Lee Richards said the city's duty was to consider all possible uses of the property, and to consider all Benton residents, non-voters as well as voters. Richards said many possibilities exist for the site, and it would not be wise to jeopardize a future use by allowing a racetrack.

Alderman David Sparks said he visited the site recently to consider the planned extension of Jackman Street across the old airport, the Bernard Holland ballpark and the proximity of Holland Chapel Baptist Church.

"It's not the proper location for a racetrack," Sparks said. "I won't vote for it."

Benton resident James Murry said using the former airport as a racetrack wouldn't harm economic development, as it takes a long time for new industry to gain required permits. If a month's lease were granted, the promoter could easily pull out in a month or less, allowing the new user plenty of time to develop the site, he said.

"When I first heard about that, I thought, 'Boy, that's pretty, pretty cool,'" Alderman Steve Lee said. But he said he decided it wasn't feasible for a racing strip. "I spent the majority of my life at that ballfield (Bernard Holland Park)."

Lee said many parents drop their children off at the ballpark and leave. A neighboring racetrack would entice many children, Lee said, and he couldn't support the racing strip.

Promoter Nathan Mann said a racing strip would provide an economic benefit for currently unused land. "If you get people from outside Benton coming in, they're going to spend money here," Mann said.

Mann apologized for the controversy that had developed. "I'm not trying to cause problems by [any] means," Mann said. "I thought the old airport would be a good spot to race."

Spencer said the old airport would provide a controlled environment for young drivers to race. "I wouldn't want my children racing on the street," he said. "It's happening everywhere right now."

Mann pledged to invest $50,000 in improving the old airport for racing. He planned to buy timing equipment, bleachers, a public-address system, lighting and a concession stand.

An opponent of the proposal asked why he'd spend that much when Mann said he understood it could be a temporary place to race.

"I'm willing to gamble because there's a need for a track in his area," he said.

Based upon attendance at the nearest tracks, at Prescott and Centerton, Mann said, he estimated the city could expect about 100 racers and perhaps 2,000 spectators on a given night.

Bruce Shackleford, a Benton businessman, told a reporter that he doesn't oppose racing, but feels that the airport isn't the appropriate site. "Let's come up with a feasible alternative," he said.

He said the speed-strip backers could have found the former airport wasn't a good site for the track. "They're not doing their homework," Shackleford said.

After the meeting, Mann said he'd continue looking for site to locate a street-legal racing strip in central Arkansas, "because it's needed."