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COUNCIL SUPPORTS RACE TRACK PLAN

2010-02-03 / Front Page

Developer: ‘We are happy to be moving forward’
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

A Charlotte-based motorsports development company got what it wanted from Cherokee County Council on Monday — sort of.

Council unanimously agreed to a resolution of support for the $25 million project, known as Racers Paradise, which will include the construction of two world-class road courses, a skid pad and training areas, motocross and ATV trails, cart trails, a drag strip and nature park on a 1,700- acre site near Hwy. 105 and Lowry’s Road. The resolution stated there are no existing land use regulations to prohibit the project.

But council delayed action on a resolution to exempt Racers Paradise from the county’s noise ordinance. Instead, council instructed attorneys from council and developers to draft a resolution that states Racers Paradise meets the criteria for exemption under the county’s current noise ordinance.

Bill Conger, a co-owner of the motorsports development company, said the resolutions are needed to secure investors.

“We’re excited we received some support from the county,” Conger said. “We are happy to be moving forward.”

The developers hope to attract three national events, including an AMA motorcycle race, a Daytona prototype race and an off-course road motorcycle

race. Each event would draw between 20,000 and 40,000 fans, according to the developers, who would pay for the $25 million facility by selling memberships to the Drivers’ Club, which would grant virtually unlimited access to every area of the facility.

If enough investors sign on, the developers, who have a 1-year option on the land, hope to begin the project next year. The project could bring as many as 60 jobs to the county.

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