http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/25586/
Scary.......
Original Post
Arizonz autocrossers beware. Check out what Robin Miller has to say on the subjetc and draw you own conclusions. Hate to see California Speedway bring up the same thing in the CA Assembly.
"Fight of the Phoenix" Unfolding Today in Arizona Legislature
Written by: Robin Miller
Phoenix, AZ – 6/1/2006
Kevin Kalkhoven. (LAT Photo)
Champ Car is accusing NASCAR of trying to sabotage a proposed race in downtown Phoenix next year in an effort to do away with all street racing in this country. And stock car racing's major sanctioning body claims nothing could be further from the truth.
Welcome to the fight of the Phoenix, which unfolds today in the state legislature where a bill will be introduced that calls for a decibel level for any future motor sports events in a city or town in Arizona.
"NASCAR and ISC have spent the past few weeks trying to undermine our proposed race in Phoenix and it's my understanding that NASCAR has hired 22 lobbyists to beat us up," said Kevin Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with Gerald Forsythe.
"Why are they afraid of our product? Is big, bad NASCAR afraid of open competition?"
Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, responded to those charges by stating:
"Neither NASCAR, nor any of its representatives, agents, or employees, has taken a position on Champ Car's proposed event in Phoenix or participated in any conduct that would impede Champ Car's ability to run an event. Nor is it in NASCAR's best interest to do so.
NASCAR's Jim Hunter, Brian France Jr., and Mike Helton. (l-r) (Photo: Getty Images)
"NASCAR understands that in order to keep motorsports healthy and vibrant in North America, it is imperative that race tracks and race fans have a broad "product list" from which to choose."
However, recent comments by Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan Sperber to radio station KTAR-620 in Phoenix would suggest otherwise.
Citing the failed F1 race at Phoenix in 1989-91, Sperber has spoken out against the proposed race on local radio and television plus started a website to have citizens vote on the race.
"It's a stupid Mickey Mouse, dinky-toy race," said Sperber. "Street races have proven not be successful and this thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness.
"Let's get out of this hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
PIR, owned by the France family's International Speedway Corporation, hosts a pair of Nextel Cup events annually but Indy cars disappeared this year after running at PIR from 1964-2005.
On May 26, Champ Car's attorneys sent a letter to NASCAR CEOs Brian France and Jim France requesting them to cease fire and Matt Breeden, vice president and general counsel for Champ Car, says his company is prepared to take this fight to court.
"NASCAR and ISC have been put on notice that we will not put up with their tortuous and anti-competitive business practices," said Breeden. "While I cannot disclose specifics, it is sufficient to say that we have engaged litigation counsel and will vigorously pursue legal remedies if NASCAR and ISC do not cease their illegal bullying tactics."
Dale Jensen, a co-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team and Phoenix Suns of the NBA, had proposed Champ Car run a street show in November of 2007 to the Phoenix city council.
"We're trying to do something really cool for downtown Phoenix," said Jensen, who attended this year's Long Beach GP as Kalkhoven's guest. "But we're being met with interference from outside forces."
The bill which will be introduced reads:
A. A city of town shall not sponsor or allow to be held within the city or town a motor vehicle competition outside of a closed-course motorsport facility at which the sound level exceeds 90 decibels at any time.
B. For the purpose of this section, "Closed-course motorsport facility" and "motor vehicle" have the same meanings prescribed in Section 12-556.
The legislation then repeats for Counties with the same language. The language in 12-556 is:
1. "Closed-course motor sports facility" means a closed-course speedway or racetrack that is designed and intended for motor vehicle competition, exhibitions of speed or other forms of recreation involving the use of motor vehicles.
2. "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle that is propelled by power, other than muscular power, that is used to transport persons and that operates within the confines of a closed-course motor sport track.
By comparison, a lawnmower puts out approximately 90 decibels, while the turbocharged Cosworth engine in a Champ Car topped out at 115 decibels during a test last year in Denver, according to Champ Car technical director Scott Elkins.
Kalkhoven claims this is clearly an attempt by NASCAR to control competition.
"It's morally deficient and underhanded because it eliminates choice for cities, promoters and fans," said Kalkhoven, whose circuit relies heavily on street shows at Long Beach, Houston, Cleveland, San Jose, Denver, Toronto and Surfer's Paradise, Australia.
"This is a monopolistic process designed so that racing can only be held at tracks governed by NASCAR's cartel."
Of course there are some ironies to this situation in that Champ Car allowed the NASCAR-backed Grand Am sports car series to run with them at Mexico City in 2005 and at Long Beach this year.
"They are trying to destroy the history of motorsport," continued Kalkhoven, who co-owns the Long Beach race with Forsythe. "Street racing is where motor racing started, not at some super speedway."
He feels if Phoenix is successfully shot down by the noise ordinance, it's the first domino to fall and NASCAR will go after all the other street circuits. "They say they don't want any street racing in this country so that includes the IRL (St. Petersburg) as well and they're supposedly partners with Tony (George).
"Clearly, the implications of this are significant for the future of open wheel racing and we are very troubled by NASCAR's mafia-like behavior."
"Fight of the Phoenix" Unfolding Today in Arizona Legislature
Written by: Robin Miller
Phoenix, AZ – 6/1/2006
Kevin Kalkhoven. (LAT Photo)
Champ Car is accusing NASCAR of trying to sabotage a proposed race in downtown Phoenix next year in an effort to do away with all street racing in this country. And stock car racing's major sanctioning body claims nothing could be further from the truth.
Welcome to the fight of the Phoenix, which unfolds today in the state legislature where a bill will be introduced that calls for a decibel level for any future motor sports events in a city or town in Arizona.
"NASCAR and ISC have spent the past few weeks trying to undermine our proposed race in Phoenix and it's my understanding that NASCAR has hired 22 lobbyists to beat us up," said Kevin Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with Gerald Forsythe.
"Why are they afraid of our product? Is big, bad NASCAR afraid of open competition?"
Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, responded to those charges by stating:
"Neither NASCAR, nor any of its representatives, agents, or employees, has taken a position on Champ Car's proposed event in Phoenix or participated in any conduct that would impede Champ Car's ability to run an event. Nor is it in NASCAR's best interest to do so.
NASCAR's Jim Hunter, Brian France Jr., and Mike Helton. (l-r) (Photo: Getty Images)
"NASCAR understands that in order to keep motorsports healthy and vibrant in North America, it is imperative that race tracks and race fans have a broad "product list" from which to choose."
However, recent comments by Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan Sperber to radio station KTAR-620 in Phoenix would suggest otherwise.
Citing the failed F1 race at Phoenix in 1989-91, Sperber has spoken out against the proposed race on local radio and television plus started a website to have citizens vote on the race.
"It's a stupid Mickey Mouse, dinky-toy race," said Sperber. "Street races have proven not be successful and this thing has been developed under a cloak of darkness.
"Let's get out of this hokey street race and develop a strong relationship between NASCAR and downtown."
PIR, owned by the France family's International Speedway Corporation, hosts a pair of Nextel Cup events annually but Indy cars disappeared this year after running at PIR from 1964-2005.
On May 26, Champ Car's attorneys sent a letter to NASCAR CEOs Brian France and Jim France requesting them to cease fire and Matt Breeden, vice president and general counsel for Champ Car, says his company is prepared to take this fight to court.
"NASCAR and ISC have been put on notice that we will not put up with their tortuous and anti-competitive business practices," said Breeden. "While I cannot disclose specifics, it is sufficient to say that we have engaged litigation counsel and will vigorously pursue legal remedies if NASCAR and ISC do not cease their illegal bullying tactics."
Dale Jensen, a co-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team and Phoenix Suns of the NBA, had proposed Champ Car run a street show in November of 2007 to the Phoenix city council.
"We're trying to do something really cool for downtown Phoenix," said Jensen, who attended this year's Long Beach GP as Kalkhoven's guest. "But we're being met with interference from outside forces."
The bill which will be introduced reads:
A. A city of town shall not sponsor or allow to be held within the city or town a motor vehicle competition outside of a closed-course motorsport facility at which the sound level exceeds 90 decibels at any time.
B. For the purpose of this section, "Closed-course motorsport facility" and "motor vehicle" have the same meanings prescribed in Section 12-556.
The legislation then repeats for Counties with the same language. The language in 12-556 is:
1. "Closed-course motor sports facility" means a closed-course speedway or racetrack that is designed and intended for motor vehicle competition, exhibitions of speed or other forms of recreation involving the use of motor vehicles.
2. "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle that is propelled by power, other than muscular power, that is used to transport persons and that operates within the confines of a closed-course motor sport track.
By comparison, a lawnmower puts out approximately 90 decibels, while the turbocharged Cosworth engine in a Champ Car topped out at 115 decibels during a test last year in Denver, according to Champ Car technical director Scott Elkins.
Kalkhoven claims this is clearly an attempt by NASCAR to control competition.
"It's morally deficient and underhanded because it eliminates choice for cities, promoters and fans," said Kalkhoven, whose circuit relies heavily on street shows at Long Beach, Houston, Cleveland, San Jose, Denver, Toronto and Surfer's Paradise, Australia.
"This is a monopolistic process designed so that racing can only be held at tracks governed by NASCAR's cartel."
Of course there are some ironies to this situation in that Champ Car allowed the NASCAR-backed Grand Am sports car series to run with them at Mexico City in 2005 and at Long Beach this year.
"They are trying to destroy the history of motorsport," continued Kalkhoven, who co-owns the Long Beach race with Forsythe. "Street racing is where motor racing started, not at some super speedway."
He feels if Phoenix is successfully shot down by the noise ordinance, it's the first domino to fall and NASCAR will go after all the other street circuits. "They say they don't want any street racing in this country so that includes the IRL (St. Petersburg) as well and they're supposedly partners with Tony (George).
"Clearly, the implications of this are significant for the future of open wheel racing and we are very troubled by NASCAR's mafia-like behavior."