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New off road track, drag strip for Havasu?
Parks & Rec advisory board endorses plan for SARA Park

By KAY SYKES
Special to Today’s News-Herald
Today's News-Herald
Published Sunday, June 20, 2010 6:07 AM MST

LAKE HAVASU CITY – More racing could be in store for local fans.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo, File. A racer clears a hill at the off road course at Crazy Horse Campgrounds Feb. 20 during a 928 Minis series race. A new off road track and a drag strip are proposed for SARA Park.

In May, the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board endorsed conceptual plans for an off road race track and a one-eighth mile drag strip adjacent to the existing Havasu 95 Speedway.

I-10 Promotions, Inc. is seeking to use 30- to 45-acres at SARA Park for development of the Lucas Off Road Racing Series track. The proposal also includes the construction of grandstands, parking and a pit area.

According the minutes of the advisory board meeting, I-10 Promotions officials are hoping for a completion date of February 2011 and Lucas Oil would build the track at no cost to the community.

“The whole project is still in its infancy. No deal has been made with Havasu yet. We are just talking at this point,” said Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Director Tony Vanillo.

The proposed track location would require a change to the SARA Park Master Plan. The short course, off road track would be located near the existing speedway’s back straight, to the southwest.

The master plan for that area currently calls for development of four youth baseball fields, three softball fields, two adult baseball fields, three soccer and three multi-purpose fields, a picnic area, play area, batting cages and a “tot lot.”

There are currently no plans to move forward on any of those proposed fields.

Off road racing has taken place at Crazy Horse Campgrounds on the Island. The World Off Road Championship Series conducts motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle races in Lake Havasu City each March as part of the WORCS race series.

And 928 Minis was conducting racing about every six weeks at Crazy Horse during the non-summer months the last two years. However, 928 Minis officials confirmed that the local race series would not continue in 2010-11.

The drag strip proposal is coming from the operator of Havasu 95 Speedway. Bill Rozhon said the lighted drag strip would be adjacent to the speedway and share the existing pit area.

He said the track would be positioned so that noise from the cars would be going towards the lake.

Rozhon said he was pleased with the progress through the first steps of the approval process and hopes to see the drag strip completed within a year. As soon as the approval process is completed, he said, he would begin looking for private funding to begin development.

Bart Wagner, Parks and Recreation Director, said the applications have been endorsed at the staff and advisory board levels. He also expects the proposal to be on the City Council agenda for formal action in the next two to three months.

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Comments (36 comment(s))

dartnthheart wrote on Oct 9, 2010 10:46 AM:

" im happy you are trying yo help the drag racers.iwill be there with somthing to race.make it eighth,make it quarter,but please just make it.as for the complainers and moaners,well come and see the fun and you,ll go home and start building a car or bike or souping up your seguey.however you spell it,bring it.bye. "

all american racing wrote on Sep 25, 2010 7:18 PM:

" drag strip __..ever sents I moved her when I was a lil kid I always worked with my dad on his cars and started to build my own but when my dad moved things got a lil tuffer doing it on my own but I think it's a good place not just to take the cars I build to and see wat they can do with out geting introuble out on the streets of lake havasu but on a street meant for it but a good place to get to talk to guys that have ben building for years even sents they were kids .,and even a chance to shear ideas and work that we all have done .it will be a good place to get ride of all the street racing and help strugleing kids get out of truck (my thoughts thanks) "

70aarcuda wrote on Sep 4, 2010 8:43 AM:

" Please make the Drag Strip 1/4 mile... "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 29, 2010 3:50 PM:

" Tim: I am not one of the complainers, I am 110% for the track. I was merely speaking up against people that in my opinion were complaining. "

oldone wrote on Jun 28, 2010 11:07 PM:

" Dusan last tuesday the Council made the final vote to bring the park into the city and recieve a Patant from BLM so it will be ours. "

DUSAN wrote on Jun 28, 2010 8:45 PM:

" I think BLM actually still own's that land,,Get ready for some hefty permit fee's "

tim wrote on Jun 28, 2010 6:30 PM:

" It definitely should be run by the 928 mini gang- Danette and Don have worked soo hard to provide kids with a place to ride and really built up the whole riding thing.

I sure hope they hire them for the track, so it doesnt cut out all the work they have put in.

As far as the complainers-just leave already-havent all of you done enough damage with all your complaining already? (bars at 40 dec, vendors gone, upping fees)

This town is dying-shut up and deal with it. We need everything and anything we can get. "

sameo sameo wrote on Jun 26, 2010 4:04 PM:

" Someday maybe we can hold the NHRA Winter Nationals here and show the world wnere LHC is. As an IMCA modified car owner and 20 year LHC resident I support this plan. "

DavidDay wrote on Jun 25, 2010 7:37 PM:

" Next everyone is going to ask for a sound barrier around the lake.. sad thing being, it's probably true.

House still owned in Havasu is clear in the back on the North side, almost to the desert, and everyone can hear the boats on the lake.. The funny thing is, nobody complains.

Last I checked, the promoters usually pack up and leave elsewhere because of the complainers, not the supporters. "

raggity wrote on Jun 25, 2010 6:53 PM:

" For ROCO and TRUTH, What are you guys 8 years old? go to the races and enjoy yourselfs, quit your complainig "

Roco wrote on Jun 25, 2010 11:00 AM:

" Truth: It's attitudes like yours that make it harder than it has to be to get anything accomplished in LHC. Ever hear of working together? Not working together can cause frivolous lawsuits that either causes the period of time to get something done extended or causes the investor to give up and take those funds somewhere else. Again, you need to RELAX. Life is too short. "

! wrote on Jun 25, 2010 10:00 AM:

" Truth the comment about the bypass wasn't specifically directed at you...reading comprehension...the point is with any improvement or new development (expansion or otherwise) consideration for the community's quality of life should be taken into account...no matter who was there first...to chase anyone away who has a concern about their quality of life could hurt the community as much if not more than allowing amenities without proper protection to the surrounding homeowners. I don't live by the track but do think there needs to be much consideration in the planning and development. "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 24, 2010 11:16 PM:

" !: sorry to dissapoint you but i live near the bridge so the 95 re-alignment would be to my benefit, however i hope it never happens because it will be a bad thing for our struggling economy. impulse food stops and gas ups by people passing through will be a thing of the past, how much revenue do you think will be lost? "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 24, 2010 11:13 PM:

" ROCO: I AM HAPPY RIGHT WHERE I AM AT WITH ALL THE NOISE THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU MOVED NEAR A RACE TRACK AND NEVER EXPECTED IT TO POSSIBLY OPEN BACK UP? YOU GUYS ACT LIKE THE RACING IS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND ALL YEAR LONG.....WAH WAH, I WANT MY CAKE AND ICE CREAM....WAH WAH... "

! wrote on Jun 24, 2010 6:52 PM:

" Truth read and comprehend...make sure all noise abatement measures are taken...running the cars in anyone direction is not in itself all that can be done for noise abatement...no one said don't make the improvements to the track just plan it properly...comprehend...people moved here to get away from big city issues...I can't wait until the 95 bypass goes in and all you who thought you bought in the quiet bluffs will find you were bluffed. Your backyards will be on a 4 lane highway and you'll all be crying for noise barriers... "

Roco wrote on Jun 24, 2010 4:15 PM:

" To Truth: the track was closed down and not in use by any organized group. So there was no announcer to listen to. Just like the fireworks company did not use Sara Park but was off at the channel. Since you like recommending places for someone to move to, why don't you take your own advice and move to Yucca where you can have any and everything your way. "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 24, 2010 12:17 PM:

" ROCO: I AM CALM! How long have you lived here? And when you moved here was the circle track already built? You don't like listening to the announcer or track yet you moved near it?! Amazes me that people moved near things that generate noise (airports, night clubs, schools, RACE TRACKS) and then they complain about them! I hear Yucca is noise free and home prices are cheaper than here. "

Roco wrote on Jun 24, 2010 9:45 AM:

" excrewchief wrote on Jun 23, 2010 9:12 PM:

" I do agree about not everyone races or boats golf’s etc. but they don’t race every day one or two days every two weeks if people are willing to talk it could work for every one involved. And I hope it will we need more things here like this. A lot of us came here to get away from states that have banned cars guns boats eating breathing walking talking. And some are trying to bring it with them. And the later need to go back. The rest are smart enough to work it out. So we all can be happy I hope. "

I agree with you midset. It just with a lot of things here in LHC, some just go to gung-ho without trying to look at the overall effects. Yes, it is needed and hopefully it will happen. Just keep the ones who just live here for the "small town atmosphere" in mind.. "

excrewchief wrote on Jun 23, 2010 9:12 PM:

" I do agree about not everyone races or boats golf’s etc. but they don’t race every day one or two days every two weeks if people are willing to talk it could work for every one involved. And I hope it will we need more things here like this. A lot of us came here to get away from states that have banned cars guns boats eating breathing walking talking. And some are trying to bring it with them. And the later need to go back. The rest are smart enough to work it out. So we all can be happy I hope. "

Roco wrote on Jun 23, 2010 7:54 AM:

" Again, some don't get it. I am for the new addition to the park, but let's not have it overwhelm people. Some act as if everyone in town is a car racer or a boater. They are not. Some moved here because of necessity of work. When you are working 10 to 12 hours a day, you just want to come home and relax so that you can do it all over again. When you are sitting in your house and you need to turn the volume of you stereo up to drown out the noise of an announcer, something isn't right. All I am saying is bring all the money to LHC that can be brought here. But just keep us full time, long term residents in mind.

Truth: CALM DOWN!!!! Take a deep breath and relax. Wouldn't want you to have a coronary. "

excrewchief wrote on Jun 22, 2010 10:58 PM:

" Go ahead just not in my backyard.
Wake up Havasu.... Do you have any idea of the money people spend to race? It is the last of the fun that the government doesn't control yet. It is safe and fun. look around at the cars in garages in this town. It is an automotive and marine town. Now look at the cost to build a car the off road teams will show up with trailers that cost more than most of our houses and spend what ever it takes to win. the people and money that come with them is unheard of. They will fill Hotels, Restaurants, grocery stores, gas, and parts stores. Welding, and if they don’t win this time they will come back next time with more people and more money un tell they do. This is not just four months during the winter this can bring money 8 0r 9 months a year. It is good for the kids and families other states have governed all this to the point that nobody wants to live there anymore lets wake up and take advantage of the opportunity and the money it can and will bring. You have bill (Havasu 95 speedway) working his tail off to make it happen and Lucas Oil willing to put some money in to it. So if the people can vote down a pool twice and they still build it lets try doing something that a lot of the people want and make some revenue off of it and have some fun at the same time. "

DavidDay wrote on Jun 22, 2010 4:35 PM:

" How about you residents that have an issue with sound decibel limits, move AWAY from the race track that was there WAY before any of your homes were.

Havasu was known for people being alright with things, such as noise limits, but now all these people complaining is going to make the WHOLE town suffer and become like another city (like Portland) is now.

I know for a fact they try as hard as possible to end events as early as possible due to the noise curfew, but if you have over 120 cars at a track on a given night, with wrecks, etc.. gets pretty hard. "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 22, 2010 3:32 PM:

" ROCO AND ! : READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE!

QUOTE:He said the track would be positioned so that noise from the cars would be going towards the lake. END QUOTE:

READING COMPREHENSION IS YOUR FRIEND. "

! wrote on Jun 22, 2010 10:16 AM:

" Roco I totally agree with your concerns. It is reasonable to have a concern about the surrounding area residents quality of life and home values. The city should make sure all necessary noise abatement is taken into consideration. "

Roco wrote on Jun 22, 2010 9:28 AM:

" To "man in the shadows": I guess you can read my mind because you can't read and understand my post. I never mentioned anything about not having this project. All I mentioned was the noise generated. It would not be a bad thing if the current user are respectful of the homeowners how live directly across from Sara Park. I was told that there is to be no loud noise generated after 10:30 or 11:00pm. But some events do not abide by that. All I am saying is if there are to be more events, maybe there should be something done to lessen the impact of sounds. There are some that have to be up at 5:00am to work. Before anyone say Sara Park was there before I moved here, not so. "

brightone wrote on Jun 22, 2010 8:31 AM:

" Gordon, why you hate Blazo? He is a funny dude "

gordonm wrote on Jun 22, 2010 7:46 AM:

" Quarter mile not eighth mile!
BLAZO = jackass "

raggity wrote on Jun 21, 2010 6:00 PM:

" This is truly a great thing, here is something for our kids and thier parents to look foward to, Havasu has a huge amount of racers and fans, just go out for any of the races at Sara park and check it out, standing room only most nites, it's fantastic, Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, they are working together, racing together, spending quality time together, fans going out and cheering them on, it just doesn't get any better, we should all support this. "

man in the shadows wrote on Jun 21, 2010 5:13 PM:

" There is always someone that brings down what is good news, you know who you are. Sound barriers geez. No one seems to be putting sound barriers up for all that shooting that goes on at the gun range all day long that I can hear in the area of Oro Grande and Saratoga.

Anyways this would be the greatest thing. Its positive well for most of us anyways. BRING IT ON!! "

sunny864 wrote on Jun 21, 2010 8:52 AM:

" This a great thing ,bring it

Hmh6r "

law wrote on Jun 21, 2010 5:55 AM:

" Yes this the type of thing Havasu needs. It will create jobs and people will come here to spend money and keep everyone working. "

blazo wrote on Jun 20, 2010 11:21 PM:

" Yes. We need them! Blazo has spoken and left the room. "

TRUTH wrote on Jun 20, 2010 1:20 PM:

" with all the Hot Rod and performance enthusiasts in the Mohave County area a drag strip is a welcomed and needed addition to Lake Havasu. Kingman has a HUGE turn out for the Route 66 race every year (this year cancelled by the city for road work) so I think that speaks volumes for the amount of revenue the track could generate. "

Triple J wrote on Jun 20, 2010 9:01 AM:

" I'd love to see a REAL track in town. I think this would be a great thing for our city. "

higher life form wrote on Jun 20, 2010 8:01 AM:

" YES!! YES!! YES!!
Please do the right thing and get this on passed. Generating revenue for the city is always a great thing. If you build it, they will come. I'm sure Mr. Lucas would finance most of it........Uh Oh..Will the BLM have to get involved?
Dang.....I'm sure after the environmental study They will find a "dirt tick" or a "red ant" hill that would get destroyed.
Oh Well, They know what's best for all of us right. "

Roco wrote on Jun 20, 2010 7:06 AM:

" Will there be any public imput on this proposal? Is this the true reason why the icity wants to annex Sara Park and not for jurisdictional reasons? If this proposal goes through, there should be sound buffering barriers erected on 95 becasue there is enough noise from the current races. "

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