Here's an e-mail I received from the Riverside Motorsports Park (RMP) folks asking for our support. I've already e-mailed the two gentlemen, please drop them an email so we can get another track built!


An Open Letter To The Friends of Riverside Motorsports Park
From: John F.S. Condren, Chairman & CEO
$180 Million in Business Revenue to Merced County
1,200 Jobs and 75-100 New Business Openings
Increased Tourism / International Media Coverage
Structured Recreation Programs for Young Adults
Year-round Recreation & Wholesome Family Entertainment
Support for Castle Airport’s Redevelopment & UC Merced
This list of benefits is what Riverside Motorsports Park wants to bring to Merced County and the Central Valley. All of that… plus, and lots of world-class motorsports competition, including NASCAR, Champ Car, NHRA, World of Outlaws, MotoGP, Indy Racing League, AMA Superbike, American LeMans Series, International Karting, USAC Silver Crown Series, Grand-Am, CORR off-road racing and more.

For more than 5 years, Riverside Motorsports Park’s management team has been completing the design, engineering and the required Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to bring a world-class, multi-use motorsports facility toin the center of California. As we have progressed, we have received the support of over 50 sanctioning bodiesworld-class organizations that have committed to hold events at Riverside Motorsports Park.

You’re receiving this letter because, at some time, you added your name to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on the project’s progress.. However, if the Riverside Motorsports Park project is new to you, I’d invite you to visit our Web site (www.RMPracing.com). The website Web site outlines most of the project’s developments and progress, and also gives an overview of the eight race tracks that will be included in one centrally located facility.

So where is the project now, what is the current status of the project?
The engineering and architectural designs for the facility are complete, and the leading contractors of the construction team have been secured. The most recent news is that on 7 July, 2005, after 2-1/2 years and over $1.5 million invested, the 3,200 page administrative draft of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was delivered to the Merced County Planning Department. Just last week, the County released the document for the required 45-day Public Review period.

The EIR is available to anyone wishing a copy from the Merced County Planning Department.

What this means and why we need your help…
California law requires that the public be informed about and allowed to comment on any EIR prior to hearings leading to project approval. In our case, there are two voting bodies that will approve the project: (1) The Merced County Planning Commission and (2) the Merced County Board of Supervisors.

In addition to comments generated from State and local agencies, the 45-day review period is used by the Merced County Planning Commission and Merced County Board of Supervisors as a key indicator of public opinion. Typically, the side that receives the larger number of letters and e-mails – in opposition to or in support of the project – also receives significant political weight in the approval process. Public opinion counts!

It’s not difficult to understand that Riverside Motorsports Park has encountered some opposition to its project. There are those who are against motorsports, motorcycles and car clubs, in general. There are those who oppose any kind of change, growth or development. And, there are those who prefer that the low-grade ag-land we have purchased adjacent to Castle Airport and the Atwater Federal Penitentiary remain as ag-land. (NOTE - There is no Prime Farmland on the Riverside Motorsports Park site. 84% of the land maintains a grade-3, “Unique” farmland classification with a Storie Index of 25 points out of a possible 100, one class higher than grazing land.)

It also is clear that the opposition will call-to-bear every sympathetic organization it can enlist to write letters opposing Riverside Motorsports Park.

What we need…
Well, quite simply… we need to have more letters in favor of the project sent to the Merced County Planning Commission and the Merced County Board of Supervisors than those in opposition.

We’re hoping that we can count on you to send in a supportive letter or e-mail to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and also ask your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to do the same.

How to help… it’s a 2-step process:
1) Write a letter to each of the 2 Merced County officials, clearly stating your support for Riverside Motorsports Park:

Merced County Board of Supervisors

Mr. Jerry O’Banion, Chairman
Merced County Board of Supervisors
2222 M Street – Third Floor
Merced, CA 95340

email: dist5@co. merced.ca.us

Fax: (209) 726-7977

And…

Merced County Planning Commission

Mr. Steve Sloan, Chairman
Merced County Planning Commission
2222 M Street – Second Floor
Merced, CA 95340

email: klewallen@co. merced.ca.us

Fax: (209) 726-1710

2) Pass the word along… tell your friends and those you know who would support Riverside Motorsports Park.

If you have any questions, or if our staff can be of any assistance, please contact our offices at 209.383.7671, or e-mail us at info@RMPracing.com. Thanks for your help and assistance in making Riverside Motorsports Park a reality!

I'll make this a sticky. Come on guys, it takes 5 minutes to draft a coherent letter in reasonably proper english. Lets send these in.

I sent an email to each this morning and already received a reply from Mr. O'Banion. He thanked me for my comments and told me that all comments received will get incorporated into the a "Final Environmental Document" that will be used during the hearings for the County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. He said "Soon after the first of the year we should know if racing events will be in the future for Merced County."

Get typing guys and gals!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Trackbird, thanks for the "sticky" I and I'm sure all of us feel this is very important, all around me (in Central Cali) the circle dirt tracks are closing at an alrming rate... Please send in these e-mails!! Besides me and Al need a job at the proposed track!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

If there is anything this group should support, it's more race tracks. I'm glad to sticky it for you.

Done! I have been following the story of this track and it looks impressive! I pointed out the successful and beneficial relationship between Thunderhill Raceway Park and the local town of Willows here in California. Certainly this concept can also work a couple hours south of there! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Done.

I am going to go ahead and post this on NORCAL-LS1.COM. We have a few members in that area and a bunch that auto x at Castle. Thanks for the info.

Here's an update, they now have the hearing dates set... here's the link to there site with all the info, if you can PLEASE attend one of these meetings to show support and voice your opinion!!
http://www.rmpracing.com/index2.htm

The info is under "LATEST UPDATE (September 27, 2006)

The final vote is on 12 December 2006... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

I plan to attend at least one of those meetings, I hope to make them all. I want to find out who is opposing this and "make them an offer they cant refuse"