Fan spending justifies raceway

Yes, the Spokane County Raceway has been “boondoggled” by former operators (columnist Doug Clark, Dec. 17) and local media gleefully join in on the hang ’em all.

The fact is, as spectators, two of us spent at least $200 per weekend during SCR events in 2009. Now, multiply that by hundreds of Northwest race fans and teams who will eat and sleep in Spokane County. The crowd at the August “Foxhunt” race was huge. Does this not promote growth and jobs?

The 2009 track improvements were necessary to make the track safer for the type of events that draw the crowds, not to mention safe and controlled for your sons and daughters who are capable of building a 600-plus-horsepower vehicle.

For some, a weekend at SCR has turned into full-time employment or a reason to enroll in Spokane Falls Community College or North Idaho College to broaden their horizons. It’s not just a race that happens there.

I am disturbed that an issue as important as having a safe track has turned into political fodder to oust county commissioners. The hand-wringing should be turned into hand-shaking and welcoming race fans and teams to the SCR complex.

Annette Barton

Albion, Wash.