Vote puts speedway's return on fast track
By Josh Moon • jmoon@gannett.com • January 16, 2009
Montgomery Motor Speedway is back in business.
The city of Montgomery Board of Adjustment approved a motion Thursday night allowing the half-mile track to once again hold races.
The board's 7-2 vote brought to an end a long and strange process that included an eight-hour court hearing and two different owners making three presentations bef ore the board. Current owners Mark and Bobby Knox, who purchased the track in August, have spent the past five months dealing with attorneys and meeting with disgruntled homeowners who lived near the track. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack sitting there (waiting on the vote)," Bobby Knox said. "Honestly, I never thought this was going to end. I never imagined when I bought this that we'd have to go through everything we have. I'm just so happy it's over and we can get started moving forward and making plans."
Getting the track open didn't happen without concessions, however. The Knoxes agreed to limit the racing season, schedule and hours of operation. In addition, they've agreed to make improvements to the property to limit noise, improve traffic flow and provide adequate parking. In addition to the more than half-million-dollar purchase price, the Knoxes will put another six figures into MMS to meet the requirements of the board. Most of that work already is under way. But it still might not be enough.
Doyle Fuller, who represents a group of disgruntled homeowners who live near MMS, said he expects his clients will want to file an appeal of the board's decision. "I don't think they'll just let it go," Fuller said. "We'll have to get together and see. Right now, we're just absorbing what has happened here."
The decision Thursday brought applause from the approximately 50 s upporters of the track in attendance.
"We're ready to ... get out there and race," said Jason Mayhan, who owns a racing supply store. "I think (the Knoxes) have shown with all that they've done that they're going to do the right thing. This track is good for this community. I think people will see that." MMS can begin holding races March 1.
thank you,
Jason Sandy and Matthew Mayhan and the Mayhan's Racin Crew!
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