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Council
Hears From Racetrack Owners
Successful
2007 Lincoln Speedway Season
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[November 15, 2007]
Lincoln City Council members
received a postseason update from the owners of the Lincoln Speedway
on Tuesday evening. Owners Don Hammer and Norm Horn have kept in
contact with the council, making requests, negotiating terms under
the conditional use granted for the track to run at the Logan County
Fairgrounds, and trying to ease noise complaints from the
surrounding community as the business continues to grow.
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 The business is going well and developing, according to their
report. We've had good crowds and feedback, Hammer said.
The track switched race nights last season. It was agreed to
allow a combination of race days. Races were scheduled on four
Sundays and the remainder on Saturdays, with curfew at 11 p.m. on
Saturday and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, for one regular event per week
and an additional special event.
Large events, late start due to rain or heat, and more than one
crash in an evening can all cause delays. The business had been
granted one 30-minute extension, and Hammer said they used it at an
event when they were able to attract 162 cars. A lot of other races
had been rained out that week, and they had a big showing of drivers
wanting to race. "That saved us," he said.
They requested to be allowed three 30-minute extensions that
would be used only if needed.
As aldermen discussed this, Verl Prather and Benny Huskins felt
it best if the extensions would not be allowed on a Sunday, as most
people have to get up for work on Monday, and particularly not
during the school year.
In addition, the owners announced that they would be building
their own building this year, just outside the stands, toward the
north end of the fairgrounds. They'll be preparing and serving food
from there.
The owners inquired about obtaining one of the city's new
caterer's liquor licenses. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post has
said that they won't be doing it for them this year.
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The request led to some discussion of whether that license would be
issued by the city or by the county. City attorney Bill Bates said
that it used to be that if a property was surrounded by annexed
property, then it was automatically brought in.
Buzz Busby said, "It was at one time, but that changed."
It was agreed to look into that issue.
But no matter to the council, they do not vote on administering
liquor licenses. The liquor commissioner grants liquor licenses, and
that's the mayor.
The issue of granting three 30-minute extensions to be used if
needed is to be put on the agenda to vote on Monday.
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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