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Racetrack owners upset
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[JAN. 4, 2006]
Aldermen were probably wondering last night, "What are two
racetrack owners from Decatur and Canton doing at a Lincoln City
Council meeting?" Two regional car racetrack owners came before the
council on Monday evening. Morey Denny drove 90 miles to attend the
meeting, and Rich Webb of Macon Speedway came in from Decatur. They
were there hoping to educate council members about the effects of a
change the council may soon be presented for approval.
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They said that the owners of the Lincoln Speedway are in the
process of completing an agreement to sell their business. It will
all be done in a few days. Gary Baugh and Norm Horn of B and H
Promotions are selling the business to Brian Thompson.
Denny and Webb said they have nothing against Thompson, but
Thompson has been promoting races in Lincoln for Saturday evenings.
The races have been on Sunday evenings. The men said that they
expect Thompson will come before the council soon to request the
change of day and request an extension of hours that will run over
curfew.
The longtime racetrack owners took turns speaking. They wanted
the council to be aware of the problems the change of days would
cause. It would disrupt the entire industry in the area, they said.
Changing days would create a struggle for everyone -- Morris, Macon
County Speedway in Decatur, Spoon River Speedway in Canton,
Fairbury, LaSalle, Peoria and Jacksonville. "We're all going to take
a beating," Webb said. "It will create a war."
The track appeared to be doing quite well with attracting racers
and spectators in its second season, in 2005. "They had an
outstanding car count here last year," Denny said.
Council members asked what they could do.
City attorney Bill Bates said he recalled that there was a
special use zoning granted for races to be conducted at the
fairgrounds, but he would need to look back to see if there were
details in an agreement with the business that the city could say
anything about the day or anything else.
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 The men thanked the council for their time and said that they
just wanted them to have an understanding -- "We're all struggling
very, very hard to stay in business."
The track gained the approval of the Lincoln City Council on Jan.
20, 2004. First they approved an amendment for racetrack special use
in C-1 and C-2 districts. Then they approved a special use of that
ordinance at the Logan County Fairgrounds for B&H Racing Enterprise.
Both measures were passed unanimously.
[Jan
Youngquist]
From the LDN archives:
Dec. 10, 2003
Jan. 21, 2004
May 10, 2004
May 17, 2004
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