According to an article in today's Advertiser, the last event at Hawai'i Raceway Park will be on either March 31 or April 1. Besides the problem of not being able to use the old cesspool, apparently their zoning variance expired as well.

Zoning variance expired a year ago. It's just a part of the PR/lobbying campaign to get the Leg to pass the tax credit bill.

If you read closely, Campbell Estate said they never had a problem with extending the lease.

I didn't pay real close attention to the details because driving on a track doesn't really interest me. Never has. But I thought I would pass along the information for interested parties. For those of you who are at work:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jan/27/ln/FP601270359.html

Anybody down for a track night?

CCH day at the races (autox), April 2.

Hmm... so much for buying track wheels/tires now.

So what all do they plan on doing now that all those people will have nowhere to legally race? I mean, they think that they have issues with street racing now...

I wrote to my Senator Fred Hemmings, and he said "For safety reasons, I do support keeping raceway park open; the problem is How. Hopefully we can find a solution. Senate Bill 1734 sounds like a possibility. Perhaps a conference committee can iron out the details. I thank you for writing."
Well he supports it, but what is he going to do?
Now waiting on a response from the House of Rep.

I really don't understand the issue. :dunno

Campbel Estate is willing to extend the lease, they been doing it for years. Is the problem the septic tanks? Not wanting to do anything and just close the track down will make the ricer suffer plus put the pressure on the legislator to pass his tax incentive bill.

They should keep the track open and just contract portable toilets to remedy the situation.

Sounds like politics, and were the pawn.

Sounds like politics, and were the pawn.

Politics?! In Hawaii?! Say it isn't so!! :D

Politics?! In Hawaii?! Say it isn't so!! :D
:lol
That's what King Kalaukaua & Queen Liliokalani said, and the next thing you know...no Monarchy, no land, and now a state...hence no cess pools, no race track, and now racing on the streets!

THe owner of the track stated in the article that owning a racetrack doesnt bring in any money. You think it wouldve been more profitable if the track was "world class" or you think Hawaii is too small to be profitable.

THe owner of the track stated in the article that owning a racetrack doesnt bring in any money. You think it wouldve been more profitable if the track was "world class" or you think Hawaii is too small to be profitable.
When I read that in the newspaper, I was thinking that's not a very good thing to say if you are trying to lobby for a "World Class" race track.
If it was World Class, I'm sure racers would come here to race, especially if the track was challenging. After all, there are races all over the world, so why would coming to Hawaii be any different? Unless the track could not accommodate the driver's skills and have utilities that can accommodate the crowd....like restrooms that are clean and in working order. :fartman :toiletman

When I read that in the newspaper, I was thinking that's not a very good thing to say if you are trying to lobby for a "World Class" race track.
If it was World Class, I'm sure racers would come here to race, especially if the track was challenging. After all, there are races all over the world, so why would coming to Hawaii be any different? Unless the track could not accommodate the driver's skills and have utilities that can accommodate the crowd....like restrooms that are clean and in working order. :fartman :toiletman

Yea, I agree. So we just have to wait from such extremely rich guy to build us a new track? Whats going to happen to the future of legal racing in Hawaii?

It would be hard to have a "world class" track, the same reason we don't have a professional football team or basball team. Were too darn far, shipping everything is too expensive, not to mention the unions that need to get involved etc....etc...

Once again, politics??

It would be hard to have a "world class" track, the same reason we don't have a professional football team or basball team. Were too darn far, shipping everything is too expensive, not to mention the unions that need to get involved etc....etc...

Once again, politics??
Attorney John Yamane for Governor!

It would be hard to have a "world class" track, the same reason we don't have a professional football team or basball team. Were too darn far, shipping everything is too expensive, not to mention the unions that need to get involved etc....etc...
No not really.
There would be no "Hawaii Team" for the State to send away to play a game, hence no unions to have to work the sport since all work would most likely be overseen by the SCCA and other racing sanctions.
Here's the difference, Car racing is a sport, where as football & baseball are games which everyone takes as a sport. :D

The probability of dying is much greater in racing then it is playing games, however there are those that lost their lives playing games.
The worse sport for taking lives, is when you leave your house every morning and drive on our roadways with others that have no clue how to drive the machine they're in....now that's a true sport!

No offense to any football or baseball players...as I played those games also.

Who wouldnt want to come to Hawaii to race? Thatd be the ultimate vacation for people (well not to us living here already, but anyways). And Im sure with a world class track, we'd have organizations such as SCCA and NASA to organize more competitive wheel to wheel etc events. I think its just the matter of "how much money".

So... what will become of BMWCCH with no track available?

We'll still be around! There's other activities as DIYs, social events, cruises/drives, charity fundraising... Lots of things to do. I'm here more for the camaraderie than anything else.

Now this is getting good! Look! A SPOILER! http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS09/601310318/1001/NEWS

Now this is getting good! Look! A SPOILER! http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS09/601310318/1001/NEWS
Looks good, but here's the catch...In a statement yesterday, Campbell Estate spokeswoman Theresia McMurdo said, "The property is currently under lease, and we cannot discuss the property with anyone other than the lessee at this time." This will hold things up! :mad

You should have been sleeping by now! You did some major elbow grease work today....so show some fruits of your labor! Bust that camera out Beastie!

Now this is getting good! Look! A SPOILER! http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS09/601310318/1001/NEWS

a glimmer of hope...

No, it seems like Mike Oakland doesn't want to do anything to keep the current track open. Sounds like if he doesn't get his tax credit for his new track, he will close the current track and try to force the legislators to grant him his tax credit.

I don't understand why Grace is pumping so much $$ into the track and not being the leasee??

Don't get me wrong guys "I want a new track" . the whole situation is "business as usual" in the state of Hawaii and us little guys are just caught in the wrath.

BTW, beast big Al was in the bar last night. Quite not his scene :lol

Looks good, but here's the catch...In a statement yesterday, Campbell Estate spokeswoman Theresia McMurdo said, "The property is currently under lease, and we cannot discuss the property with anyone other than the lessee at this time." This will hold things up! :mad
That means Mike may have extended the lease already. :shifty

Don't get me wrong guys "I want a new track" . the whole situation is "business as usual" in the state of Hawaii and us little guys are just caught in the wrath.

BTW, beast big Al was in the bar last night. Quite not his scene :lol
Al who?

Al who?

your drinking partner "Alan"

That means Mike may have extended the lease already. :shifty

Not really, it means everything is confidential until all parties sign and it's okay for the new or current tenant to says it's okay for the lessor to divulgee it's new tenants. Lessors would not want to open them selfs to potential law suits.

Not really, it means everything is confidential until all parties sign and it's okay for the new or current tenant to says it's okay for the lessor to divulgee it's new tenants. Lessors would not want to open them selfs to potential law suits.
True, but I think Mike has already extended the lease or is negotiating the extension. Just my gut feeling. If not, more power to Mr. Grace! Saving Grace? :biglaughb

Now this is getting good! Look! A SPOILER! http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS09/601310318/1001/NEWS

The "spoiler" is having a racer's meeting on Thursday night.

This was posted on another forum :

>>Was told that JR. from paradise lua has asked to call a meeting of all the racers...

>>When: Thursday Feb 9th 2006
>>Where: Kapolei High School
>>Time : 6:30pm
>>Why : track info..?

Here's the thread : http://www.paradisecruisers.com/SMF/index.php?topic=1305.0

This is crazy, I can't believe that state legislature is not supporting this. Where will people be able to go after this? Some, need their speed fix no matter what and will get it on public roads endangering others in the process. It's a public safety thing....

This is crazy, I can't believe that state legislature is not supporting this. Where will people be able to go after this? Some, need their speed fix no matter what and will get it on public roads endangering others in the process. It's a public safety thing....
You are absolutely correct!
Just remember the saying, "Action speaks louder than words" hence once more people start to get seriously injured and others dying due to cars racing on the streets, then and only then will they start to think about a track...how sad!:(
It's like trying to get a traffic light built at an intersection. If no one dies, no traffic light!
We can only wait and see.

We already have enough traffic fatalities from racing. I would double to triple unless they open a legal race track, or get the super ferry going.. I wouldn't mind dishing out a 100$ to chill in maui with my car, and race at their track.

Tonight's meeting should be interesting because this is the Paradise Luau owner that wants to just keep the current track open. He just needs help getting zoning updated, and EPA extended (he is supposedly willing to put up temp. port-a-potties and spend the cash for the new sewage line).

Mike Oakland's plan is to have a new track ONLY and requires the legislatures to support a tax break bill. With Mike's plan the track is sure to close in April and we will have no track until the new track is built, because he is unwilling to "pour" more money into current track.

We shall see if things become clearer with tonight's meeting. I'll go check it out.

Ideally, we would use the current track while a new one was being built...

Yeah that would be sweet. Kinda sad the track closing when I am just beginning to want to get my bike on it.

I just saw Tom, he said someone rear ended his cobra this past weekend. bummers!

My hunch is Mike is trying to create some urgency by saying the track is closing -- get people and the state off their butts...but it sounds like he might be renewing the lease in the meantime...I guess we'll see in a couple of months.

-Ken

My hunch is Mike is trying to create some urgency by saying the track is closing -- get people and the state off their butts...but it sounds like he might be renewing the lease in the meantime...I guess we'll see in a couple of months.

-Ken
:D

My hunch is Mike is trying to create some urgency by saying the track is closing -- get people and the state off their butts...but it sounds like he might be renewing the lease in the meantime...I guess we'll see in a couple of months.

-Ken
Damn!
It's Ken! :wave
Nice to see you posting here!

Damn!
It's Ken! :wave
Nice to see you posting here!

Thanks! Just thought I would drop-in...so many forums, so little time...actually, I hardly post to any of them these days...

I was looking for info on superlap since I'm going to try and catch one before april...in case it closes :stickoutt

Thanks! Just thought I would drop-in...so many forums, so little time...actually, I hardly post to any of them these days...

I was looking for info on superlap since I'm going to try and catch one before april...in case it closes :stickoutt
There's superlaps next week Sat. 25th from what I heard.
Are you going to run your E30 or Subie?
I'm going to try and make it myself, but I may need to work. :(

There's superlaps next week Sat. 25th from what I heard.
Are you going to run your E30 or Subie?
I'm going to try and make it myself, but I may need to work. :(

I'm going to try and bring the M3. Just have to sort some things out first...Hope you can make it!

in my mailbox this morning...


Aloha

The time for action for keeping the track open and getting a new one is now.

Pending before the legislature is a bill that made it through the 2005 session but was not passed. In order to get the bills heard in the money committee's this session ( they have passed all other committee's and are in there final committee) and to have hearings on it, we, the racers and fans, have to convince certain legislators to send the bill to committee hearings. If that happens we have to go down to legislature to testify and lobby.

Here is what you can do now (and do not wait). Write, call, or email your legislator. To get their address, etc… go to www.capitol.hawaii.gov -  click on the house or senate and find out who represents you. Ask them to hear and passHB 994, HD2, SD1 and SB1734, SD2 and that you support tax credits for a new track and you want the old track to stay open until the new one is built. Send copies of your support to Speaker of the House, Representative Calvin Say and Senate President, Senator Robert Bunda.

Also attached a sample letter of testimony that folks should personalize based on their knowledge of or participation within the automotive industry.  . 

 

HB 994 HD2 SD1is in the control of Senator Taniguchi, Chair of the Senate Waysand Means Committee

Brian T. Taniguchi

10th Senatorial District
HawaiiStateCapitol, Room 210
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI96813
phone 808-586-6460; fax 808-586-6461
e-mail sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

 

SB 1734 SD2is in the control of Representative Dwight Takamine, Chair of the House Finance Committee.

Dwight Takamine

1st Representative District
HawaiiStateCapitol, Room 306
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI96813
phone 808-586-6200; fax 808-586-6201
>From the Big Island,
toll free 974-4000 + 66200
E-mail reptakamine@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Folks should contact their own legislators, but also copy Taniguchi and Takamine.



Do it now to help the cause.

Aloha

Ed Kemper

Here is the letter template. Please personalize as stated above if you choose to use it.

(Date)



Hawaii State Capitol
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Attention: (Insert your legislator’s name)



I urge you to support SB1734 SD2 and HB994 SD1 for the motor sports complex tax credit.

Your support will seed economic growth at zero risk since the bill requires proof and measurement of an increase in GET before permitting investors to claim the tax credit.

More importantly, you will preserve the automotive aftermarket and performance industry, as well as insure your constituents have availability to a safe, off-the-street environment for racing and attending events. Additionally, the local motor sports complex serves as the driver training ground for the State of Hawaii Sheriff Department and the City and County of Honolulu Police Department. With the current facility scheduled to close March 30, 2006 – your support is urgently needed.

Please encourage leadership and chairs of the money committees to move these bills to conference.

Respectfully,



(Full name)
(Street address)
(Town, Hawaii Zip code)
(Phone: ###-####)

FYI, HPD has their own course to practice on.

If you think its' a valid point to make, E-mail Kemper, he wrote the template.

I don't care either way because I feel it is a PR move and people are being used as pawns.

Btw, the HRP property is supposedly being sold to an associate of Mike Oakland. The deal is either done, or is about to be completed.

I don't care either way because I feel it is a PR move and people are being used as pawns.
This isn't nothing new, it's been happening ever since mankind could think for himself!

I faxed mine in last month.