Team-Excalibur
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This is a message to RACERS
HELP KEEP MOTORSPORTS-BASED RECREATION STRONG IN CALIFORNIA
From: John F.S. Condren, Chairman & CEO
Subject: Riverside Motorsports Park – Progress Report
The last 12 months have been a difficult one for California racers, race teams, car clubs and anyone who enjoys a good car show or motorsports event. Since November of last year, we’ve heard the announcement of 5 major race track closures within the State of California:
Santa Maria Speedway
Stockton 99 Speedway
El Cajon Speedway
Mesa Marin Raceway Park
And, just last month…
Hanford Kings Speedway
Just like Riverside International Raceway, Orange County International Raceway, Lions Drag Strip, and Ontario Motors Speedway, most of these tracks were developed in the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s -- back when many of California’s cities still seemed to have some room, and when Environmental Impact Reports were still ten to twenty years from even being considered. However, today, with residential and commercial developments being created as next-door neighbors, race tracks have little protection. And, in addition to the 5 tracks that we’ve already lost, there are other tracks and drag strips in the State that are also feeling the pinch of encroachment. What we need are new race tracks and facilities that are built having the legal protection of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and planned development buffer zones.
Riverside Motorsports Park is just that. But, we need your help in completing the last step of approval.
For more than 5 years, Riverside Motorsports Park’s management team has been working to bring a world-class, multi-use motorsports facility to California. As of today, we have over 50 sanctioning bodies that have committed to hold premiere events at Riverside Motorsports Park and, I can assure you, that the list includes all of the major names.
If the Riverside Motorsports Park project is new to you, I invite you to visit our Web site (www.RMPracing.com). The Web site outlines most of the project’s developments and progress, and also gives an overview of the eight ( race tracks that will be included in one centrally located facility.
So, what is the current status of the project?
The engineering and architectural designs for the facility are complete, and the leading contractors of the construction team have been secured. The most recent news is that on 7 July, 2005, after 2-1/2 years and over $1.5 million invested, the 3,200 page administrative draft of the Environmental Impart Report (EIR) was delivered to the Merced County Planning Department. Just last week, the County released the document for the required 45-day Public Review period. The EIR is available to anyone wishing a copy from the Merced County Planning Department.
What this means and why we need your help…
California law requires that the public be informed about and allowed to comment on any EIR prior to hearings leading to project approval. In our case, there are two voting bodies that will approve the project: (1) The Merced County Planning Commission and (2) the Merced County Board of Supervisors.
In addition to comments generated from State and local agencies, the 45-day review period is used by the Merced County Planning Commission and Merced County Board of Supervisors as a key indicator of public opinion. Typically, the side that receives the larger number of letters and e-mails – in opposition to or in support of the project – also receives significant political weight in the approval process. Public opinion counts!
It’s not difficult to understand that Riverside Motorsports Park has encountered some opposition to its project. There are those who are against motorsports, motorcycles, street rods and car clubs, in general. There are those who oppose any kind of change, growth or development. And, there are those who prefer that the low-grade ag-land we have purchased adjacent to Castle Airport and the Atwater Federal Penitentiary remain as ag-land. (NOTE - There is no Prime Farmland on the Riverside Motorsports Park site. 84% of the land maintains a grade-3, “Unique” farmland classification with a Storie Index of 25 points out of a possible 100--one class higher than grazing land.)
It also is clear that the opposition will call-to-bear every sympathetic organization it can enlist to write letters opposing Riverside Motorsports Park.
What we need…
Well, quite simply… we need to have more letters in favor of the project sent to the Merced County Planning Commission and the Merced County Board of Supervisors than those in opposition.
We’re hoping that we can count on you to send in a supportive letter or e-mail to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and also ask your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to do the same.
How to help… it’s a 2-step process:
1) Write a letter to each of the 2 Merced County officials (below), clearly stating your support for Riverside Motorsports Park:
Merced County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Jerry O’Banion, Chairman
Merced County Board of Supervisors
2222 M Street – Third Floor
Merced, CA 95340
email: dist5@co. merced.ca.us
Fax: (209) 726-7977
Merced County Planning Commission
Mr. Steve Sloan, Chairman
Merced County Planning Commission
2222 M Street – Second Floor
Merced, CA 95340
email: klewallen @co.merced.ca.us
Fax: (209) 726-1710
2) Pass the word. Tell those in your club or race team. Tell those who you work with. If your organization has a Web site, please ask your site administrator to add a link to our Web site at www.RMPracing.com .
If you have any questions, or if our staff can be of any assistance, please contact our offices at 209.383.7671, or e-mail us at info@RMPracing.com.
Thanks for your help and assistance in making Riverside Motorsports Park a reality!
Meanwhile, I’ll see you at the races…
HELP KEEP MOTORSPORTS-BASED RECREATION STRONG IN CALIFORNIA
From: John F.S. Condren, Chairman & CEO
Subject: Riverside Motorsports Park – Progress Report
The last 12 months have been a difficult one for California racers, race teams, car clubs and anyone who enjoys a good car show or motorsports event. Since November of last year, we’ve heard the announcement of 5 major race track closures within the State of California:
Santa Maria Speedway
Stockton 99 Speedway
El Cajon Speedway
Mesa Marin Raceway Park
And, just last month…
Hanford Kings Speedway
Just like Riverside International Raceway, Orange County International Raceway, Lions Drag Strip, and Ontario Motors Speedway, most of these tracks were developed in the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s -- back when many of California’s cities still seemed to have some room, and when Environmental Impact Reports were still ten to twenty years from even being considered. However, today, with residential and commercial developments being created as next-door neighbors, race tracks have little protection. And, in addition to the 5 tracks that we’ve already lost, there are other tracks and drag strips in the State that are also feeling the pinch of encroachment. What we need are new race tracks and facilities that are built having the legal protection of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and planned development buffer zones.
Riverside Motorsports Park is just that. But, we need your help in completing the last step of approval.
For more than 5 years, Riverside Motorsports Park’s management team has been working to bring a world-class, multi-use motorsports facility to California. As of today, we have over 50 sanctioning bodies that have committed to hold premiere events at Riverside Motorsports Park and, I can assure you, that the list includes all of the major names.
If the Riverside Motorsports Park project is new to you, I invite you to visit our Web site (www.RMPracing.com). The Web site outlines most of the project’s developments and progress, and also gives an overview of the eight ( race tracks that will be included in one centrally located facility.
So, what is the current status of the project?
The engineering and architectural designs for the facility are complete, and the leading contractors of the construction team have been secured. The most recent news is that on 7 July, 2005, after 2-1/2 years and over $1.5 million invested, the 3,200 page administrative draft of the Environmental Impart Report (EIR) was delivered to the Merced County Planning Department. Just last week, the County released the document for the required 45-day Public Review period. The EIR is available to anyone wishing a copy from the Merced County Planning Department.
What this means and why we need your help…
California law requires that the public be informed about and allowed to comment on any EIR prior to hearings leading to project approval. In our case, there are two voting bodies that will approve the project: (1) The Merced County Planning Commission and (2) the Merced County Board of Supervisors.
In addition to comments generated from State and local agencies, the 45-day review period is used by the Merced County Planning Commission and Merced County Board of Supervisors as a key indicator of public opinion. Typically, the side that receives the larger number of letters and e-mails – in opposition to or in support of the project – also receives significant political weight in the approval process. Public opinion counts!
It’s not difficult to understand that Riverside Motorsports Park has encountered some opposition to its project. There are those who are against motorsports, motorcycles, street rods and car clubs, in general. There are those who oppose any kind of change, growth or development. And, there are those who prefer that the low-grade ag-land we have purchased adjacent to Castle Airport and the Atwater Federal Penitentiary remain as ag-land. (NOTE - There is no Prime Farmland on the Riverside Motorsports Park site. 84% of the land maintains a grade-3, “Unique” farmland classification with a Storie Index of 25 points out of a possible 100--one class higher than grazing land.)
It also is clear that the opposition will call-to-bear every sympathetic organization it can enlist to write letters opposing Riverside Motorsports Park.
What we need…
Well, quite simply… we need to have more letters in favor of the project sent to the Merced County Planning Commission and the Merced County Board of Supervisors than those in opposition.
We’re hoping that we can count on you to send in a supportive letter or e-mail to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and also ask your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to do the same.
How to help… it’s a 2-step process:
1) Write a letter to each of the 2 Merced County officials (below), clearly stating your support for Riverside Motorsports Park:
Merced County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Jerry O’Banion, Chairman
Merced County Board of Supervisors
2222 M Street – Third Floor
Merced, CA 95340
email: dist5@co. merced.ca.us
Fax: (209) 726-7977
Merced County Planning Commission
Mr. Steve Sloan, Chairman
Merced County Planning Commission
2222 M Street – Second Floor
Merced, CA 95340
email: klewallen @co.merced.ca.us
Fax: (209) 726-1710
2) Pass the word. Tell those in your club or race team. Tell those who you work with. If your organization has a Web site, please ask your site administrator to add a link to our Web site at www.RMPracing.com .
If you have any questions, or if our staff can be of any assistance, please contact our offices at 209.383.7671, or e-mail us at info@RMPracing.com.
Thanks for your help and assistance in making Riverside Motorsports Park a reality!
Meanwhile, I’ll see you at the races…
Anyway, here's to hoping that we're all loud and vocal enough, that enough people show their support and that in the long run this is viewed as (and turns out to be) a valuable addition to their local economy!