Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Arizona Motorsports Park (AMP), a one-year-old road course located just west of Phoenix, Arizona, has been ordered to immediately cease operations by Maricopa County officials. As a result, track management has been forced to put all events at the facility on hold until further notice.

“That’s correct,” John Naughton, AMP General Manager told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday. “We’re working to get a temporary restraining order and file a lawsuit, which will probably keep the facility open until the litigation is finalized.”

Asked what the issue was, Naughton said, “That’s a great question…It’s a lot of backdoor politics.”

“The County Board of Supervisors voted to revoke their special use permit,” Maricopa County Communications Director Al Macias confirmed Wednesday. “It was my understanding that the applicant had not complied with the original stipulations when they had applied for the permit.”

Asked what the specific issues were, Macias said he didn’t have all of the information in front of him but said, “There was pages of them…the number of people that could be at the racetrack, the number of cars that could operate there. I believe one of the supervisors made the point this morning that the original application said it was not to be a commercial venue, effort, or whatever. Yet the attorney for the racetrack this morning said that Subaru and Porsche had contracted to use the track for testing and had indicated that Honda motorcycles was also going to be using it. Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said that sounded like a commercial activity as opposed to the private use that the Board had originally been told was going to be used there.”

Honda held its worldwide press launch for the 2004 CBR1000RR at AMP over several days in December, and several racing organizations have scheduled dates at the track in 2004.


More, from a press release issued by Maricopa County:

WEST VALLEY RACE TRACK PERMIT REVOKED

Decision Made at Public Hearing After Much Debate

(Phoenix) – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously revoked a special use permit for the Arizona Motorsports Park citing sound, crowd, and traffic issues. The track is located on Camelback Road just west of Litchfield Park.

At least 100 citizens attended this morning’s Board meeting, many sporting bold yellow and black stickers that declared they “Support APM”, while others wore round buttons with a race car crossed out by the international sign for “No”.

District 4 Supervisor Max Wilson has taken a great personal interest in this issue. He recently held two public meetings to take comments from citizens, and his office has received literally thousands of phone calls and emails on both sides of the debate.

Mr.. Wilson said, “This was not a “pro” or “anti” racing issue. It was purely a question of whether the applicant had complied with the requirements of the original application. Today’s decision by the Board of Supervisors says the applicant did not.”

A video tape was shown at the start of this morning’s Planning and Zoning hearing. It was made in December, 2001 on the day the Board of Supervisors first granted the Special Use Permit to Arizona Motorsports Park. In it, then Chairman Jan Brewer is heard asking repeatedly about the plans for the race track. It was quite clear that the owner wanted to have a track for personal use, racing his own road-ready vehicles. Residents near the park have complained for months that the park was not run as a private racetrack, that the owners violated the stated hours of operation, and that huge crowds and noise were causing problems.

For more information, contact the District 4 office at 602-506-7642



And now, comments from a reader and local resident:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

We live approximately 5 miles from the track and while it was being built kept an eye on its progress awaiting its opening and subsequently the racing events it would host.

During the building phase of the project NO ONE came forward in the community to object to its location or use. The local paper even published the track’s information and use. The track held meetings with the local government and townspeople and again NO ONE came to complain or object. The track’s website even stated that the facility would also have a skid pad besides the track and they would be used for testing and training.

Once the track opened a few elitists in the nearby communities, Goodyear & Litchfield Park, started complaining to the local government about the lack of permanent restrooms. (Port-0-johns were being used initially) A permanent restroom trailer was brought in and set up. End of issue right? Nope. Next they complained about the noise level. We have been to several events and you have a very hard time hearing the cars & motorcycles that are running from the main road, less than a mile away. So the noise issue is really a none issue. But when the complaints weren’t acted upon the neighbors began to come up with other issues; too many people/crowds, traffic, Use Permit issue, etc. It is obvious that they are looking for anything that will take “hold” and get the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ attention. We have been to several events and NEVER had to wait for admittance in any line. The parking lot is not even half full at the events. The Use Permit issue not being correct for the track’s usage has been their final complaint and subsequently they WON. The track is officially closed.

When I called the Maricopa County Board of Supervisor’s District 4 office this morning I spoke to the secretary for the District 4 Supervisor to complain about the closure. Even she was confrontational about my complaint. She didn’t stay neutral in the issue and listen to my comments, she actually stated that the District 4 Supervisor lives in the community near the racetrack. Apparently this Supervisor is against the track and its usage, if he is allowing his secretary to take such a verbal stand with callers who are ‘for’ the track. So much for his impartiality in this matter.

This track would have brought a lot to a developing community. Less than 3 miles away is a 4 Star resort, shopping and dining and it’s continuing to grow. The economic rewards would be benefical to such a community.

It’s a SAD day when a few elitists can get their way in a community. Is this what America has come to?

Mary Beechler
A Sad Motorcycle Enthusiast
Phoenix, Arizona