MARYLAND PROPOSED TRACK NEWS/RUMORS
Websites:
disbanded
- No Racetrack in Maryland: The County Council [MD] has raised the caution flag on any possibility of building a NASCAR racetrack in Pasadena [MD], six years after the last proposal died. As part of revisions to the county zoning code, Councilman Barbara Samorajczyk, D-Annapolis Roads, sponsored an amendment that would bar any auto racing tracks in the county. "That use is not appropriate in my opinion in scale and character" of the community, she said. The amendment passed 4-3 at last week's meeting, with Councilmen Ron Dillon Jr., R-Pasadena, Ed Reilly, R-Crofton, and Bill D. Burlison, D-Odenton, voting against. Mr. Dillon said he wasn't voting for the possibility of building a track in the future, but against getting "rid of this land use because we can do it." He said there wasn't any chance of a racetrack coming anyway.(hometownannapolis.com(11-27-2004)
- Another MD county wants a track; Mattioli denies interest: Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson thinks a stock car racetrack would be a good fit here, and he wants his fellow board members to support the idea. Munson suggested on Tuesday that the board write a letter to the owner of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., asking him to build a track in Washington County. Munson said he got the idea after he heard that the owner of Pocono Raceway wanted to upgrade a dirt track in Cumberland, Md., to possibly attract national stock car racing. Joseph Mattioli III, whose father, Joseph Mattioli Jr., owns Pocono Raceway, on Tuesday afternoon shot down the idea of his family building a stock car track in Washington County. He said Pocono Raceway wasn't interested in building any other tracks and hasn't looked for a location in Washington County. "Washington County has a great race track already - Hagerstown Speedway," Mattioli said. He also said his proposed upgrades to the Cumberland dirt track are not affiliated with Pocono Raceway. Mattioli III owns South Boston Speedway in Virginia and has a leadership role with Pocono Raceway.(Herald-Mail)(9-1-2004)
- Maryland Propoesed Track...again? NASCAR racing could come to Maryland under a proposal backed by the governor. Racetrack developer Joe Mattioli presented the $24 million plan Wednesday to the Allegany County Commissioners. Mattioli owns the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania and the South Boston Speedway in Virginia. He proposes building a racing complex at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in three phases that would ultimately include Nextel Cup racing. Matt Hogan -- Maryland's director of sports marketing -- said Gov. Bob Ehrlich strongly supports the plan. The first step is a $20,000 feasibility study, jointly funded by the state and county.(thewbalchannel.com)(8-26-2004)
LAST NEWS WAS 1999
- Maryland Track News: The Chesapeake Motorsports Development Corporation(CMDC) is closing their doors as of Oct 1st. The proposed racetrack deal in Frederick and Pasadena did not work out. R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S., who tried to drun up support for the projects would like to thank EVERYONE who helped and supported us during this groups existence(R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S.)(9-21-1999)
- Maryland Track Article: When most people have ``strike three'' called on them, the ball game is over. Not Joe Mattioli III. Mattioli is 0-for-3-sites in his attempt to build a motorsports complex in Maryland. However, Mattioli, the son of Pocono Raceway board chairman Dr. Joseph Mattioli, is on a mission. Rejection doesn't faze him. The latest location for Mattioli and Chesapeake Motorsports was a 100-acre waterfront site in Anne Arundel County, south of the Key Bridge. Residents of Pasadena, Md., opposed building the race track, on land owned by the Maryland Port Administration. The port administration's advisory council unanimously rejected the track. See the rest of the Philadelphia Daily News/That's Racin' article at Motorsports developer pushes on in bid for Maryland track by Bill Fleischman(3-10-1999)
- Maryland Track Story: If Maryland was going to have a major-league racetrack, it should have it by now. Ten, 15 years ago, when Winston Cup stock car racing was beginning its growth spurt, that was the time to start thinking about building such a facility, see the article at - In building a track, Baltimore way behind the curve(Baltimore Sun)(2-15-1999)
- Maryland done? Maybe Not: From Mike Alfinito, Director of Corporate Communication for Chesapeake Motorsports Development Corporation - "Although the site in Pasadena, MD was voted down by the County Executive we still intend to build a world class speedway in the Baltimore/Washington region. Since the vote on Wed. we have recieved many calls from other areas with strong interest in bringing our project and all of the economic benefits to their area. WE ARE BY NO MEANS GIVING UP!"(2-12-1999)
- Maryland Track Story: Raceway Plan Killed In Arundel(Washington Post)(2-12-1999)
- Maryland Done - R.A.C.E.F.A.N.S. Message: "We are sorry to announce that the Maryland Port Authority Land Use Committee today voted to reject leasing the land for the proposed Pasadena racetrack. The track will not be built at the Pasadena site. CMDC officials tell us that this was their final effort. They will not continue their efforts to build a speedway. Thank EVERYONE SO much for all of the support to R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. and CMDC. Although this is a tremendous let down, everyone worked hard and great new friendships were made in the process that will last for years to come. Thank you again for your support! R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S."(2-10-1999)
- More Maryland Track news: Bill before council would send proposal into lengthy hearings; Zoning process would change; Chesapeake says it will consider leaving area if measure passes. Developers trying to build a 61,000-seat stadium and racetrack south of Key Bridge in Pasadena said yesterday that they might have to pack up and give up if the County Council passes a controversial bill next month that would send them back to the beginning of the zoning process. See the story at the Baltimore Sun - Developer may rethink racetrack(2-3-1999)
- Maryland Track News: Arundel council delays vote on proposed auto racing track. A County Council vote last night on a measure to hold up construction of an auto racing track in Anne Arundel County was delayed by faulty wording in the bill, which must be corrected and resubmitted(2-2-1999)
- Maryland Track: Newly elected Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens dismissed one of her top advisers yesterday after learning that developers proposing a 60,000-seat auto speedway are paying him to lobby for her support. See the complete story at the Baltimore Sun - Aide to Arundel executive fired for ties to racetrack developer(1-17-1999)
- Maryland Track Stories: Decision awaited on motor racetrack and A new administration, new concerns over track(Baltimore Sun)(1-12-1999)
- R.A.C.E.F.A.N.S. looking for help in supporting the proposed Maryland Racetrack, The final step in the approval process is to obtain a signed lease on the land on which the track will be built. Anyone interested in getting "ON THE RECORD" as supporting the track please go to the R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S site and send an email letter to the addresses listed on the site(1-9-1999)
- Maryland Track info and article: More than 500 people, many of them trade union members from Baltimore, crammed a Maryland Port Administration public hearing last night to endorse or object to leasing port property to developers who want to build a 54,000-seat auto racing stadium near the Key Bridge in Pasadena. See the Baltimore Sun story at: 500 switch track debate to next gear and another at Track debate moves to next gear(stories look similar)(1-7-1999)
- Stories on the Maryland Track: Throughout her victorious campaign, newly elected Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens (D) criticized a $100 million auto racing speedway proposed for the Pasadena peninsula as a symbol of a county dominated by development interests. But yesterday, in her most detailed comments to date, Owens pronounced herself a racetrack proponent, following a meeting with the developers at her office earlier this month. See the complete Washington Post article at: Owens Shifts Gears On Track Proposal and an AP story at the Baltimore Sun says - Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens has dealt a blow to supporters of a proposal for a motor speedway development in Pasadena. Owens says she would support the proposal at another site in the county, but not the former copper refinery south of the Baltimore Beltway, see the story at: Speedway Proposal(12-30-98)
- Bad News for Maryland Track? Three members of Anne Arundel County Council introduced legislation last night(12-21-98) that would throw a speed bump in the path of developers proposing a 61,600-seat auto racetrack in Pasadena. The bill proposed by 3rd District Councilwoman A. Shirley Murphy and two other Democrats would require Chesapeake Motorsports Development Corp. to appear before a public hearing before building on bay front land south of Key Bridge. Murphy's bill would reverse a much-criticized zoning law that the council rushed through in April to allow motor racing complexes as a "conditional use" on land zoned heavy industrial. See the rest of the Sunspot story at - Bill would require racetrack developers to make their plea at a public hearing(12-29-98)
- Maryland Track Story: a Washington Times article - NASCAR boss France stiffs us again by Thom Loverro at the at the Maryland R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. site(12-23-98)
- Maryland Track: The final step in the approval process is to obtain a signed lease on the land on which the Maryland track will be built. The Port Land Use Committee will hold a public meeting on January 6, 1999 at 7pm/et at Northeast High School in Pasadena, MD. See other info at R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. update(11-26/12-8-98)
- Maryland Track Update: In Anne Arundel County, Tuesday's elections may have doomed a $100 million auto racing speedway opposed by those who decry growth. See the story at the: Washington Post.(11-5-98)
- Maryland Track in Trouble? See the story at: Racetrack financing questioned.(Baltimore Sun)(10-28-98)
- Developers seeking to build a $100 million auto racing speedway on the Pasadena peninsula in northern Anne Arundel County have stumbled upon yet another obstacle: competition for the land they hope to lease, and organized opposition from the state lawmakers in whose would land. See the rest of the Washington Post story: Competition May Stall Racetrack.(9-4-98)
- The man who wields near total control over which cities get major league stock car races all but ruled out the Baltimore-Washington area as a site for a NASCAR race, saying the region is already saturated with the sport. "We have no interest," said NASCAR President Bill France Jr. "We're already here in the mid-Atlantic area." France's comments deal a significant blow to a Baltimore-based developer's proposal to build a $100 million track in northeastern Anne Arundel County. It would be on a site owned by the Maryland Port Authority just south of the Baltimore beltway. See the rest of the story in the Washington Post at: Plan for Track Gets Yellow Flag.(many readers pointed this out)(6-17-98)
- Another Maryland track story: Raceway group, NASCAR collide: Developers' boast of landing big series is labeled inaccurate.(Baltimore Sun)(5-10-98)
- "NASCAR officials were taken aback when they read in USA Today Tuesday that South Boston Speedway planned to move its NASCAR Busch Series race in the year 2000 to a proposed new speedway in the Washington/Baltimore area." See more of the story: Track owner announces plans to move race, NASCAR says "whoa" by Bob Zeller.(News & Record) and another story at SpeedNet How to get in NASCAR-style trouble.(4-22-98)
- Maryland Racetrack Zoning Measure Passes:
Following more than 2.5 hours of public testimony, the Anne Arundel County Council passed legislation that will allow motorsports as a conditional use on property in Pasadena, MD. By a vote of 5-2, the council affirmed the wishes of more than 10,000 county residents that signed petitions in favor of the legislation which clears the way for the Middle River Racing Association (MRRA) to proceed with plans to build a 60,000 seat, 1-mile tri-oval motorsports complex. See the latest news at Maryland R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S..(4-21-98)
- NASCAR Busch Grand National Racing Bound for Maryland:
Earlier today, at a press conference held just two hours before the County Council meeting in Annapolis, MD, MRRA announced a deal they've reached with the owner of South Boston Speedway in South Boston, VA, to move that racetrack's annual NASCAR Busch Grand National race date to MRRA's new track once it's built, Joe Mattioli,
MRRA chief operating officer, said at a news conference before the hearing. The announcement comes nearly two weeks after an article in The Sun raised doubts about MRRA's ability to land a NASCAR event. MRRA also hopes to host a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race and an Indy car race each year at the $100 million dollar facility they now hope to complete and open for business in the year 2000. See the story at Opponents mass against auto track.
(4-21-98)
- Another story about the Maryland track at: Anne Arundel Raceway Plans Advance from the Washington Post.(thanks Ed Ester for all the work and stories)(4-21-98)
- The Anne Arundel County(MD) Council will make its decision regarding the proposed
motorsports racing facility at the Pasadena location on Monday, April 20, 1998 at 7pm/et at the County Council Chambers at 44 Calvert St. in Annapolis, Maryland. See the complete story at: Maryland Race Fans - Events.(4-7-98)
- Check out this story at the Baltimore Sun's Sunspot website: Auto racetrack developers contradicted, NASCAR has no plans for races in area. For more than a year, while scouting three possible locations for a multimillion-dollar speedway, the Middle River Racing Association has been promising to bring NASCAR races to the Baltimore area. NASCAR and industry experts say it won't happen.....more(Sunspot)(4-9-98)
- Public forums on the Maryland speedway proposal will take place Thursday, April 9th at the Orchard Beach Fire Hall and Wednesday, April 15 at the Riviera Beach Fire Hall. Both begin at 7 p.m.. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend.(4-7-98)
- To: All R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. We need immediate support! If you live in the following Maryland zip codes your are in the IMMEDIATE SUPPORT ZONE--21060, 21061, 21122, 21146, 21225, 21226. If you want support the speedway at the Pasadena, MD location as we do, you MUST do the following IMMEDIATELY. For the rest of the story and things that can be done to help see RACE FANS Of Maryland Page for more info.(3-19-98)
- More news about the propsed Maryland race track: Legislation Would Allow Speedway.(3-18-98)
- From a reader: Went to a meeting today about the racetrack that the Middle River
Racing Association (MRRA) is trying to get built near Baltimore. The meeting was organized by R.A.C.E.F.A.N.S (Racing Advocates Committed Exclusively For Approval of New Speedway). RACEFANS is a grass-roots effort by fans who want a new racetrack and have had to fight some opposition. Also attending were MRRA people, a Councilman, and the Director of Economic Development in the county. They have now switched to a new area for the racetrack. It is an abandoned copper refinery just south of Baltimore. There is a 4 lane road leading directly in from 695 (major highway in Baltimore), and is isolated from any neighbors who might complain about noise or traffic. The track will be a 1 mile tri-oval (54,800 seats, 30 suites, and a Speedway Club) with a 1/2 mile road course inside and a 1.8 mile road course outside. They think they will have a Busch or Truck race, and an IRL or Cart race, as well as IMSA, GTA, US Road Racing and others. Also, they will have a 20-race weekly racing series with **GET THIS** a
guaranteed ride to a higher racing series (Busch or Truck) to the track season winner. A reporter at the meeting said NASCAR is going to go to 36 or 37 Cup races a year; Las
Vegas is not guaranteed a race next year; and Homestead is expected to get a Cup race.
Next meeting is April 18. Also see the RACE FANS Of Maryland Page for more info.(3-15-98)
- Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary (R) said yesterday that a new site under consideration by developers proposing to build a $100 million auto racing speedway in the county is generating few calls of protest to his office. The developers, Middle River Racing Association, are focusing on a 162-acre parcel just south of the Baltimore Beltway, off Fort Smallwood Road, see the story at: New Site for Raceway Draws Little Protest.(Washington Post) Also see the RACE FANS Of Maryland Page.(3-13-98)
- Anyone from Maryland or the surrounding area show your support of the Baltimore area race track(Middle River Racing Association-MRRA) by contacting the local leaders and voice your support of the project. Cards and letter of support can be sent to: MRRA, PO Box 7727, Essex, MD 21221
- R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. of Maryland is a newly formed group dedicated to uniting Motorsports Racing fans with the goal of helping to obtain approval for a $100 million dollar Motor Sport Racing facility in Maryland. R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. is growing rapidly and is gaining support and recognition. This site has been constructed to give facts regarding this facility. You will find information on R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. upcoming meetings and events, how you can help in the efforts to get this track approved, the track itself, and the developer of the proposed racing facility. Although information is included on the developer of this track R.A.C.E. F.A.N.S. is an independent non-profit organization and is not affiliated with Middle River Racing Association(MRRA). See their site at RACE FANS Of Maryland for info on the proposed race track(MRRA)(2-10-98)
- News on the Maryland Race Track Proposal: Arundel Official Hedges Support for Raceway Site.(1-28-98)
- Info on the Maryland Race Track meeting (MRRA) and their recent meeting Monday night in Laurel, MD from Mike Infinito who heads up the MRRA: "A lot of the reporting has been biased against race fans. Opponents of the track claim that races will bring drugs and prostitution to their "affluent" community!(Jayski note: I am from NJ and we heard the same here when the Atlantic City Race Track meetings were occurring, drugs????). Race fans are good, hardworking family people that spend a ton of money to attend races. Please get the word out that this is how certain people feel about race fans. Encourage them to write to the Anne Arundel County Executive, John Gary at : PO Box 2700, Annapolis, MD 21401"(1-21-98)
- UPDATE: News on the meeting for the proposed Maryland race track at Outsiders pack meeting on speedway. More than 650 people squeezed into the church, and traffic extended for more than a half-mile on Brock Bridge Road leading to the church. Many people were turned away. The Middle River Racing Association(MRRA) of Timonium has asked Anne Arundel County to skirt the usual public hearing process and rapidly approve the automobile racetrack on 380 acres west of Fort Meade.(Sunspot)(1-20-98)
- I hear the turnout for the 1/19 meeting for the proposed Maryland race track(MRRA) was so huge the police had to turn away hundreds of people who wanted to attend(1-19-98)
- Maryland Fans: There was a public meeting about the new Maryland race track Monday Jan 19, 1998 at 7pm at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Laurel Md. The address is 8402 BrockBridge Rd.(1-19-98)
- MRRA has now focused on a site in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The roads in Baltimore County just would not support the project so they were forced to look elsewhere. The new site is half way between Baltimore and Washington D.C. MRRA has strong political support, but the County Executive has told them that he wants to hear
from the race fans of the area. So Maryland, PA, VA fans call him!!! County Executive John Gary - 410-222-1821; Councilman Bert Rice - 410-222-1401(1-14-98)
- Heard that the Middle River Racing Association(MRRA) who are trying to bring a
NASCAR track to Baltimore County MD near the Martin State Airport has said that effort is now off after a meeting with the Baltimore County Government. They said they are now working with officials in Anne Arundel County MD and hope to have something worked out soon. I hear it was the traffic concerns that squashed the deal(1-8-98)
- more news on the proposed Maryland race track at Competition Seen as Threat To Speedway.(Wash Post)(12-19-97)
- "A 100,000-seat NASCAR auto racing track and entertainment center would be built in the western part of Anne Arundel County near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway if County Executive John G. Gary succeeds in negotiations he has entered with developers looking for a site for the speedway." For the rest of the story see: Arundel Site Under Consideration for NASCAR Track.(Washington Post-Thanks Jonathan & Becky)(12-17-97)
Maryland Speedway Project Would Be Economic Boom For Area<
- "From "Mike Alfinito, Director of Corporate Communication, 410-308-1320
For Immediate Release: 11/20/97, Maryland Speedway Project Would Be Economic Boom For Area, Study Estimates $204 Million Annually
Baltimore, MD- Fueled by the favorable demographics of the Baltimore / Washington D.C. market, a proposed motorsports entertainment facility in the region would generate $204 million annually in total direct and indirect spending for the State of Maryland according to a study conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP.
The study evaluated the market demand, financial potential and economic impacts for Phase I and III of the Maryland speedway project. Phase I calls for a one-mile, tri-oval track with 54,800 in total seating capacity including grandstands, club seating, and luxury suites. The speedway’s third phase would increase total seating to 108,000.
Middle River Racing Association (MRRA), the developers of the proposed speedway, is led by Chief Operating Officer Joe Mattioli III. “The configuration of the track will enable us to accommodate all forms of motorsports,” said Mattioli, a past President of Pocono International Raceway. “Market research has proven to us that the region has a large and loyal number of racing fans that will support the facility. We are encouraged by the result of the Deloitte & Touche study and the projected economic impact of the speedway,” Mattioli concluded.
MRRA recently contracted Performance Research, an international company that has worked for many motorsports sponsors, as well as the Olympic Games, to do extensive research in the region. According to Jed Pearsall, President of Performance Research, the results are encouraging. “Sports fans in the Baltimore / Washington area have emphatically told us that a new speedway is a needed entertainment venue – something that will make a real difference in the quality of life in the region. Perhaps most telling, there is a large number of race fans that currently travel as much as 1000 miles away to attend major league racing events, and even when considering the existing tracks of Richmond, Dover and Pocono, there is an empirical need for a new racing venue to satisfy the demand of the Baltimore / Washington motorsports fans due in large part to the sheer population / demographic density of the Baltimore / Washington region,” said Pearsall. Deloitte & Touche analyzed all of the markets holding major racing events in the United States, including those that have recently constructed new speedways, and identifies the Baltimore / Washington region as one of the top three U.S. racing markets in terms of population, median effective buying income, and buying power index."(11-23-97)
- More news on the Maryland race track at County details track limits(Baltimore Sun-SunSpot-thanks Dave)(10-17-97)
- I hear the Maryland race track is a long shot to happen now, supposedly the state wants too much private funding(11-3-97)
- News on the proposed Baltimore/Maryland track at :Track backers expand site list(Baltimore Sun-SunSpot)(10-13-97)
- News about the proposed Baltimore race track, Essex International at the Baltimore Sun page: NASCAR racing takes a hot turn in popularity(SunSpot)(9-19-97)
- The Middle River Racing Association has cleared a hurdle with zoning in Baltimore County. The next step is a County Council vote. Tell your readers that if they want to see major league motorsports in Maryland to contact the Baltimore County Council and tell them you are behind this project! This project will will generate $188 million in economic impact per year and create 2,216 equivalent full time jobs!(PR MRRA)(7-23-97)
- News on the Maryland Track from the Baltimore Sun courtesy of Andrew Cirko: "The $100 million auto racetrack proposed for 1,000 acres between Eastern Boulevard and Pulaski Highway is moving through the county bureaucracy at record speed. County planners asked the planning board yesterday to change county zoning laws to allow "Professional Automobile Race Parks" to be built by special zoning exception on a minimum of 200 acres in three manufacturing zones. The report followed a June 4 County Council resolution asking for a recommendation within two weeks. Such reports often take months. The board will schedule a public hearing and vote on the changes, which then will go back to the council for further action"(6-20-97)
- More Baltimore track news thanks to Kevin: Joe Mattioli, III, COO of Middle River Racing Association and(MRRA) Chris Lencheski, the GM are developing the new
track in Baltimore, MD. Ground breaking is in the summer of 1998 and racing starts in 1999. The track will seat 100,000 fans, is 15 minutes from the inner harbor and is right on the AMTRAK lines(6-9-97)
- More news on that proposed Baltimore area track from the Baltimore Sun: Winston Cup legend Bobby Allison has signed as the official spokesman for the proposed $100 million motor sports track and entertainment project on the A.V. Williams site near Martin State Airport. If it becomes reality, the track would open soon into the new century and would seat 40,000 for the Truck and the BGN series. There would be room for expanding to 100,000 seats when and if a Winston Cup race can be secured(6-2-97)
- More Baltimore Track News: From what I hear, funding has been approved for track in Essex, Maryland, but the group that wants to build the track have hit road blocks with the environmental groups. The environmental groups are saying that auto racing there will cause the air quality of the area to suffer due to exhaust fumes. They're also concerned about noise. Additionally the committee to build the track wanted to put camp ground in, but they've hit road block with that. I hear the track was projected to be completed in 1999(5-27-97)
- I hear the Baltimore area 1 mile trioval is fully funded and more news will be available this week(5-26-97)
- The Baltimore Sun reports of a possible race track being built near Baltimore, MD. It would be call the Essex International Speedway, some of the story reads as follows: "The privately financed raceway project -- managed by Joseph Mattioli III, former head of Pocono International Raceway -- would sit on a 1,000-acre parcel between Eastern Boulevard and Pulaski Highway near Martin State Airport. Predicted drop of the first checkered flag: just into the next century. The raceway would accommodate 40,000 spectators, expanding to 100,000 when Winston Cup races begin. In addition to a 1-mile track, plans call for an office complex, recreational vehicle center, Motorsports Cafe and a hotel/convention center -- all seen as a boon to the revitalization of Baltimore County's east side."(Thanks to Tommy for the heads up)(4-30-97)
