75-80 Dragway

[MigraineMan]

FNP just published a new article.

Executive summary - "Permits needed. Not clear if the County or the owner is the hold-up."

 

[71Chevelle427]

FNP just published a new article.

Executive summary - "Permits needed. Not clear if the County or the owner is the hold-up."

Thanks for sharing!

 

[JohnnyE]

FNP just published a new article.

Executive summary - "Permits needed. Not clear if the County or the owner is the hold-up."

Who the hell starts spending time and money on a project like this without first getting the paperwork in order?

 

[71Chevelle427]

Well...as of about 8pm this evening...

As of today Hurricane Racing Tours will be pulling out from 75&80 Dragway thank you to the ones that have supported us and for the ones that have all the answers and the perfect way to get this track open it's open for you to do so now good luck. I also want to say thanks all the negative people and this is what happens we all should have came as one and pray that this place was able to open

 

[GSuders]

Not sure what to make of the situation. I don't know the Hicks or Stanely's, but I can't imagine someone spending so much time and $ into cleaning up the place just to throw in the towel. There has to be more to the story. Rumor I heard this past weekend was when the Stanely's bought the adjoining land years ago they operated the race track for a few years just to irritate the neighbors to try and help get the housing develop pushed thru quicker. Not sure how much truth their is to that, but makes me wonder what's going on now.

 

[GSuders]

Seems as though Stanley (the owner of the land) won't/hasn't applied for the necessary permits and The Hicks (Operators of Hurricane Racing Tours) are caught in the middle.

 

[FFBWMD]

This sucks, I was looking to get one more day of runs in with my car before I sell it.

 

[DanGuy48]

This sucks, I was looking to get one more day of runs in with my car before I sell it.

What are you selling and where are you going to try to sell it, bringatrailer.com, etc.?

 

[FFBWMD]

What are you selling and where are you going to try to sell it, bringatrailer.com, etc.?

My Challenger RT

 

[rtse4me]

Hicks did get Capitol reopened and is making improvements, seems to be investing some $$$ in the place. I never raced a car at 75/80 but Capitol seems to be a much nicer facility so just go to Capitol and support the track. We are lucky to at least get Capitol back.

 

[DanGuy48]

My Challenger RT

Nice.

I used to have a 1968 Formula-S Barracuda, 383, Electric Blue, black interior, 4 speed. I’ve always had a fondness for Mopars.

 

[MigraineMan]

Councilman Steve McKay posted an update on FB:

Update on the 75/80 Dragstrip
This took a little while to sort out and I think what I'm about to tell you is the current situation, with one big caveat - I haven't spoken directly to either the track operator (Hurricane Racing) or the owner (Roy Stanley).

When last we spoke, I was under the impression (from senior County officials) that the zoning issues could be handled. You see, the track sits on a combination of general commercial land (where the track is allowed) and agricultural land (where it is not allowed). That turned out to be a bigger issue.

As we all know, the dragstrip had been in operation for a long time - the '50s to be specific. Back in 1977, our current zoning regulations were substantially updated and that's when the track operation on agricultural land was disallowed. However, because the track had been in operation, it was grand-fathered in as a non-conforming use. In this type of situation, when the non-conforming use ceases for over a year, then the grand-fathering is no longer valid. That's what happened here. It actually happened before, back in the 2012-2014 timeframe, but the track operated for a little while anyway. This time, the County received complaints and had to step in.

Now the owner of the land (Roy Stanley) faced a choice - either cease activity or pursue a variance to allow the non-conforming use. So far, the County has heard nothing from Roy Stanley and he does not appear to be interested in expending the resources to pursue this. For his part, the owner of Hurricane Racing posted on Facebook that they were pulling out of the venture. So, unfortunately, this appears to be dead. There is a path for them to make this happen, but they - specifically, Roy Stanley - have to want to do that, and that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Fredcohunter]

Someone complained. Now isnt that shocking.....

 

[71Chevelle427]

Someone complained. Now isnt that shocking.....

A lot of the complaining was from people who supposedly wanted them to reopen...everyone had an opinion of what and how he should do it...He should have just posted a thread in the Water Cooler, lol.

 

[Anotherpyr]

In other words the politicians want money to allow it. He has to either ask for and encourage them to grant a variance or seek rezoning the agricultural part to commercial which will mean annual payments.

 

[MigraineMan]

The part I don't get is how the previous use variance "expired." This isn't a property that they parked a taco truck on, then drove the truck away for a couple of years. It's a pretty substantial capital improvement. I'm willing to bet the property taxes reflect the improvements, regardless of their state of "use-ness."

 

[omegared24]

A lot of the complaining was from people who supposedly wanted them to reopen...everyone had an opinion of what and how he should do it...He should have just posted a thread in the Water Cooler, lol.

I know that's what he was saying on social media as to why he bailed on it. The reality is he didn't do his research and get his ducks in a row.

I live right around the corner from the track. I wanted it to open but you've got to go through a process. Great racer and hard worker...not so good at business.

 

[71Chevelle427]

I know that's what he was saying on social media as to why he bailed on it. The reality is he didn't do his research and get his ducks in a row.

I live right around the corner from the track. I wanted it to open but you've got to go through a process. Great racer and hard worker...not so good at business.

100% Agree on all points.

 

[Sgt6402]

I bet some of the LIBERALS from Mont Co that have moved into the URBANA area complained about the track and the noise it would create.

Damn shame, it would have nice to 75/80 open back up!!

 

[Fredcohunter]

I try to avoid anything east of Frederick when I can so I haven't been down that way in a while but arent they building a pretty large development(s) in Monrovia that would be geographically pretty close to 75/80?