Keep the racetrack revving

Racing became our family sport. We picked our favorite drivers and cheered in anticipation. Family night in North Idaho was the only well-promoted track at the time. I built a few cars, eventually won a championship, and my wife won a fifth place. Then I visited a Spokane Raceway Park drag event and saw the circle track growing weeds several feet tall and thought, “What a waste.”

SRP became Spokane County Raceway when the county bought the racing complex. The Tarr family began running the circle track even though the county had problems with three contract holders. The Tarrs made SCR the best-promoted track in the Northwest. Thousands of people enjoyed racing every week.

When I raced in Post Falls, many people bought groceries, cigarettes, alcohol and gas at Idaho businesses. With the recent termination of the Tarr family contract at SCR, I see local jobs and revenue going back to Idaho. This is a loss for the racers, fans and the Spokane County taxpayer.

Let’s solve the contract issues so “Mooch,” our favorite announcer, can say with thousands of fans, “Racers, start your engines.”

Tim Benn

Spokane