February 24, 2010 in City

County picks raceway operators

Experienced managers from Arizona, Alberta chosen

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A pair of veteran speedway operators got the green flag Tuesday to take over operation of Spokane County Raceway Park.

County commissioners unanimously accepted the recommendation of a selection committee to begin negotiations with Ronald Hodgson and Charles Allen for a 10-year contract.

The committee weeded out two of four applications earlier this month and chose Hodgson’s and Allen’s offer Monday after interviewing them and representatives of J-Mar Racing Inc., which operates the Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore.

Hodgson operates the Castrol Raceway at Edmonton, Alberta, while Allen runs the Firebird International Raceway at Chandler, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix.

Their offer calls for the county to receive 10 percent of gross annual revenue in excess of $1.5 million, plus guaranteed annual payments of $73,346 – at least $733,460 over 10 years.

J-Mar offered guaranteed annual rents totaling $1.18 million over 10 years, plus shared revenue and in-kind contributions estimated to bring the total to more than $3.1 million.

County officials based their choice on perceptions of the applicants’ financial strength and stability as well as their proposed payments.

Aside from a racetrack, Hodgson owns two General Motors dealerships, a Mitsubishi dealership and a metal fabrication firm.

Parks Director Doug Chase, who oversees the raceway, said 11 of 12 county officials and local racing enthusiasts on the selection committee favored the Hodgson-Allen offer.

Chase said one reason was that Allen promised to transfer experienced personnel to Spokane when it’s too hot to race in Arizona. That would include the operator of a “world renown” driving school, he said.

However, committee members called for Hodgson and Allen to align Spokane County Raceway Park with the National Hot Rod Association instead of the International Hot Rod Association.

Commissioner Todd Mielke urged an “open-minded” approach to the affiliation.

In other business Tuesday, commissioners voted 2-1 to negotiate a contract for special aerial photography Assessor Ralph Baker said he needs to offset reductions in his appraisal staff. Commissioner Bonnie Mager objected that the photos aren’t worth the price and might lead to inaccurate appraisals.

The low-level, high-resolution photos would allow appraisers to revalue properties without visiting them. They would cost $560,000 over six years.

Commissioners also increased admission for the Spokane County Interstate Fair. General admission will rise $2, to $10.

10 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  MrDavis on February 24 at 6:04 a.m.

  The commissioners are undeterred by their failure to fund public safety and essential services, but are on track with their pet project, continuing to cost the county millions of dollars.

• 

  cowboy on February 24 at 8:24 a.m.

  10 years?????? so the county has no plans to sell the track, we will be paying for that for 10 years???

  time to sell and get out of Spokane. with the track and the YMCA building the property owners of Spokane don’t have a chance

• 

  riverrunner on February 24 at 10:43 a.m.

  Speaking of county pet projects, how about all the $$$$ the golf courses, parks and pools soak up?

  Lots of potential economic impact there…

• 

  Hank_Tingler on February 24 at 10:57 a.m.

  Why is the Parks Director overseeing the race track?

  We know how unresponsive and ineffectual they are.

• 

  PlanB on February 24 at 12:38 p.m.

  A lot of people use and enjoy this facility. It is not a pet project. Overwhelming support is what is driving their decisions.

• 

  MrNatural on February 24 at 1:40 p.m.

  …and the earth shall smell of roses evermore…I can’t wait till the Kalispell’s file suit against the county over the noise and air pollution and own this greasy spot and turn it into a world class golf course…I will admit it does look like they are not making the same mistake as last time by awarding operators who are already in the circuit and who know how a track operates…especially a cold weather track…kind of curious as to why they specify NHRA over IHRA…Well the soap-saga continues

• 

  clwill on February 24 at 3:06 p.m.

  Seriously? Did the county even check on the history of these people? “Cheap Charlie”? Who just held an NHRA race at Firebird in Phoenix last weekend that was called “The Disaster Nationals”? The facility is a dump, a whole class of pro racers stormed out in the middle of the event because the track was so dangerous, a spectator was killed for gosh sakes! And Spokane hires these people? Wow…

• 

  liarsinnews on February 24 at 4:42 p.m.

  The wisdom shown by Todd and Mark in their business deals cause me nightmares. I keep dreaming they are both bandit vigilantes and holding their guns at the heads of taxpayers and our money has evaporated. Give these bums the boot. Thanks to Ms. Mager, our other commissioner for using a level head.

• 

  rickavery34 on March 22 at 10:03 p.m.

  how many of you people have been to an event at the track. why knock a sports facility where a person can take the whole family out for a days fun and still afford to buy groceries. get off the couch and go to the track before you critisize it.

• 

  merricpa on March 31 at 12:38 p.m.

  I know I’m jumping in way late here, but unfortunately I have to work for a living, and dont get alot of chances to check out these little pee’n matches.
  Mr. Natural some f.y.i.. The Northern Quest Casino is one of if not the largest sponsor of the track. So you might be waitin a while.