Georgia Drag Racing News

Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events from GeorgiaDragRacing.com.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Drag Strip Land Targeted by Holt from WaltonTribune.com

Drag strip land targeted by Holt

By Stephen Milligan
The Walton Tribune

Published March 10, 2010

SOCIAL CIRCLE — A new wrinkle has appeared in the battle over the proposed motorsports complex along Interstate 20 in Social Circle, as a local state representative is taking the fight to the capitol.

Rep. Doug Holt, R-Social Circle, is looking to propose legislation to the state assembly to amend the city charter to de-annex the land owned by Donnie Clack, who has been pushing for months to get his property re-zoned and his application approved to begin construction on a motorsports complex, including an 1/8-mile drag strip.

“It’s mainly to put an option on the table to resolve this drag strip issue,” Holt said. “We could put a permanent end to this discussion.”

Holt’s District 112 covers primarily Newton and Morgan counties, but he said the portion of Social Circle within Newton — including Clack’s property — is of great concern to him right now.

“(The drag strip) is dramatically out of character with that region,” Holt said. “It would dramatically undermine the tech park at Stanton Springs.”

Social Circle City Manager Doug White said de-annexation was a drastic step that would negatively impact the city.

“We think we have a vested interest in that area,” White said. “We hope to see it develop as a gateway to our community. We would hope it can be resolved without resorting to legislation.”

Holt, however, sees little alternative to stop the motor sports complex from winning approval with the planning and zoning board.

“The city almost can’t say no to it,” Holt said. “We could cure the problem through de-annexation.”

Clack said his first reaction to the possible legislation was “shock,” and said legislative action was premature and misguided.

“I’d like to see what studies he’s done or seen to convince him this was the best action,” Clack said. “Does he have all the public in mind or just the elite few?”

Holt has not formally presented any legislation to the house and said no action would be taken until he has full approval from the entire local delegation, including Rep. Jeff May, R-Monroe, and Sen. John Douglas, R-Social Circle.

“We need to try everything to resolve this,” Holt said.

Social Circle Drag Strip Plan Revised from WaltonTribune.com

Social Circle drag strip plan revised

SOCIAL CIRCLE - The proposed motorsports complex in Social Circle will see some changes in its plans after the applicant temporarily withdrew the application. The change comes following scrutiny from residents who say the site will be noisy among other concerns. In order to implement some changes, owner Donnie Clack said he would withdraw his application - "without prejudice," which would allow him to resubmit at a later date - and re-apply within the next 30 to 45 days. Clack's lawyer, Michéle Battle, said the move was necessary to implement some changes designed to compromise with local complaints from opponents of the proposed drag strip. "We've gone back and re-examiend the plan," Battle said. "We've re-designed it to move that noise further away." The new plan moves the drag strip to the far western edge of the property, at a lower elevation and behind a larger tree buffer, to reduce noise levels. The finish line would now be nearly half a mile from the nearest residence. Battle said they planned to re-apply after the plans were revised and hoped concessions could be made by both sides. "We are willing to address the issues and compromise," Battle said. "My question to the opposition is what are you willing to do?" See more in Sunday's edition of The Walton Tribune.

See http://www.waltontribune.com/ for updates.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

1974 NHRA Funny Car Champion Shirl Greer Passes



R.I.P. Shirl Greer
Check CompetitionPlus.com for details
His family is in our prayers.


Fred Simmons Photo (top).

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

GeorgiaDragRacing.com to shut down soon











Due to family health concerns, GeorgiaDragRacing.com will probably be closing down before long. We'd like to thank all of our readers, contributors and sponsors for the years of support. If things change, we'll let you know.

THANK YOU!

ESTN at SGMP

Sunday, March 07, 2010

AMA Drag Bike Photos at SGMP by Marvin T. Smith