thedrifter
02-03-09, 05:08 AM
February 3, 2009
Track plans up in the air
By Vlad Navasca
For Pacific Daily News
The plans for thousands of U.S. Marines to relocate to Guam from Okinawa not only will have an impact on the island's economy and government operations but it also may have an impact on the Guam Racing Federation's plans to develop the raceway park in Yigo.
The Joint Guam Program Office is currently on island and surveying parts of Guam to house military operations. Included in the land they are surveying is the property the Guam International Raceway is being built on as well as the area around Pagat cave, says Racing Federation board member Ed Cruz.
According to its Web site, JGPO was established by the Department of Defense to facilitate, manage, coordinate and execute certain DoD actions on Guam. The land on which the raceway sits is a possible site that JGPO has been surveying to build a firing range for the U.S. Marines.
Cruz says there have been talks between GRF and JGPO regarding the future of the land. Cruz mentioned that if the Department of Defense decides to take away the land, there's a chance that there will be no compensation or relocation of the facility.
U.S. Marine Capt. Neil A. Ruggiero, public affairs officer for JGPO, says under U.S. eminent domain law if a government entity takes land for government use the landowners must receive compensation equal to fair market value of the taken land. He noted that in JGPO's discussion with the racing federation, compensation was not discussed at the time.
That could be because the land on which the track or drag strip, as it is commonly referred to, sits on is owned by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission. A law created in the late 1990's allowed for the construction of a race facility on the land so long as the racing federation pays an annual lease fee.
Land Trust Commission Director Joe Borja could not be reached for comment for this report.
JGPO is trying to determine the impact a firing range will have on island whether it be economic, cultural or social. The information JGPO collects will be sent to their office in Washington, D.C. where Major General David Bice, JGPO Executive Director, will review it and present it to DoD officials.
Cruz says talks will continue with the federation and JGPO to see what will happen to the land and the future of Guam's motorsport tourism.
Building the racetrack
The Guam Racing Federation is tasked with the planning and building of the facility while also managing all the nonprofit racing groups which hold races at the Guam International Raceway. Cruz says the federation, by public law, is authorized to use tax credits as a means to gain assistance in the constructing of the public race park. The Chamorro Land Use Commission, GEDCA, GEPA, and the Office of the Territorial Auditor are all tasked with monitoring the use of the tax credits used in the construction phase.
Plans for the Guam International Raceway include a Formula 1 road race track (circuit track), an oval track, a new drag strip, a go-kart track, a motorcross stadium and other infrastructure to support racing events, as well as provide services to both racers and fans, Cruz says.
There are also plans to have a large venue that is ideal for concerts, car shows and other large public gatherings -- something that Guam lacks and part of the reason why the island misses on a few chances to have big name artists perform here.
While the racing federation has been included in talks with JGPO to find out the future of the land it's operations have been built on, Cruz says the federation welcomes the military buildup as it could actually speed up development of the facility -- if the area isn't taken for military operations.
"Since tax credits are used to build the Guam International Raceway, it is estimated to be completed within the next three to five years depending on Guam's economic activity," Cruz says.
"The proposed military buildup should speed things up when it begins in 2010."
With the completion of Guam International Raceway, local racers can increase their level of competition and eventually be able to train on island to compete internationally, Cruz says.
The completion of the raceway also can be a boon to Guam's tourism industry. It's already played host to international competitions bringing in media attention, drivers, their entourages and race fans from Asia. By further building on the facility, the federation's hope is that Guam can become a seasonal competition location for professional race organizations.
Since Guam has a warm climate all year long, some racing teams from Asia already come to Guam to practice during their countries' winters. With a better facility, the federation hopes to draw some of the top racing teams from around the globe and even host bigger competitions.
"It's something that will definitely draw a lot of attention from the world," Cruz says. "And that is good for Guam."
Additional Facts
2009 GUAM RACING FEDERATION EVENTS CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
Feb. 6
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 8
Motocross Racing Series Round 1/MX1 11a.m. to 6 p.m.,Guam International Raceway, Calvo Memorial Off Road Park.
Feb. 8 (tentative)
Xtreme Mud Racing, Guam International Raceway off-road area.
Feb. 13
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 14
Yigo Fiesta Drag Race (Valentines Day) Night Drag Racing Series Rd.1 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 15
Auto-X 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot, Yigo.
Feb. 16
Drift practice session 6 to 9 p.m., Guam International Raceway parking lot, Yigo
Feb. 20
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 22
SuperMoto/Scooter Racing Series Round 1/SS1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot.
Feb. 22
Guam Drifting Championship Series Round 1, 3 to 7 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot.
Feb. 27
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo
Feb. 28
Night TT and Flat Track Racing Series Round 2/TT2, 6 to 10 p.m., Guam International Raceway, Calvo Memorial Off Road Park.
Ellie
Track plans up in the air
By Vlad Navasca
For Pacific Daily News
The plans for thousands of U.S. Marines to relocate to Guam from Okinawa not only will have an impact on the island's economy and government operations but it also may have an impact on the Guam Racing Federation's plans to develop the raceway park in Yigo.
The Joint Guam Program Office is currently on island and surveying parts of Guam to house military operations. Included in the land they are surveying is the property the Guam International Raceway is being built on as well as the area around Pagat cave, says Racing Federation board member Ed Cruz.
According to its Web site, JGPO was established by the Department of Defense to facilitate, manage, coordinate and execute certain DoD actions on Guam. The land on which the raceway sits is a possible site that JGPO has been surveying to build a firing range for the U.S. Marines.
Cruz says there have been talks between GRF and JGPO regarding the future of the land. Cruz mentioned that if the Department of Defense decides to take away the land, there's a chance that there will be no compensation or relocation of the facility.
U.S. Marine Capt. Neil A. Ruggiero, public affairs officer for JGPO, says under U.S. eminent domain law if a government entity takes land for government use the landowners must receive compensation equal to fair market value of the taken land. He noted that in JGPO's discussion with the racing federation, compensation was not discussed at the time.
That could be because the land on which the track or drag strip, as it is commonly referred to, sits on is owned by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission. A law created in the late 1990's allowed for the construction of a race facility on the land so long as the racing federation pays an annual lease fee.
Land Trust Commission Director Joe Borja could not be reached for comment for this report.
JGPO is trying to determine the impact a firing range will have on island whether it be economic, cultural or social. The information JGPO collects will be sent to their office in Washington, D.C. where Major General David Bice, JGPO Executive Director, will review it and present it to DoD officials.
Cruz says talks will continue with the federation and JGPO to see what will happen to the land and the future of Guam's motorsport tourism.
Building the racetrack
The Guam Racing Federation is tasked with the planning and building of the facility while also managing all the nonprofit racing groups which hold races at the Guam International Raceway. Cruz says the federation, by public law, is authorized to use tax credits as a means to gain assistance in the constructing of the public race park. The Chamorro Land Use Commission, GEDCA, GEPA, and the Office of the Territorial Auditor are all tasked with monitoring the use of the tax credits used in the construction phase.
Plans for the Guam International Raceway include a Formula 1 road race track (circuit track), an oval track, a new drag strip, a go-kart track, a motorcross stadium and other infrastructure to support racing events, as well as provide services to both racers and fans, Cruz says.
There are also plans to have a large venue that is ideal for concerts, car shows and other large public gatherings -- something that Guam lacks and part of the reason why the island misses on a few chances to have big name artists perform here.
While the racing federation has been included in talks with JGPO to find out the future of the land it's operations have been built on, Cruz says the federation welcomes the military buildup as it could actually speed up development of the facility -- if the area isn't taken for military operations.
"Since tax credits are used to build the Guam International Raceway, it is estimated to be completed within the next three to five years depending on Guam's economic activity," Cruz says.
"The proposed military buildup should speed things up when it begins in 2010."
With the completion of Guam International Raceway, local racers can increase their level of competition and eventually be able to train on island to compete internationally, Cruz says.
The completion of the raceway also can be a boon to Guam's tourism industry. It's already played host to international competitions bringing in media attention, drivers, their entourages and race fans from Asia. By further building on the facility, the federation's hope is that Guam can become a seasonal competition location for professional race organizations.
Since Guam has a warm climate all year long, some racing teams from Asia already come to Guam to practice during their countries' winters. With a better facility, the federation hopes to draw some of the top racing teams from around the globe and even host bigger competitions.
"It's something that will definitely draw a lot of attention from the world," Cruz says. "And that is good for Guam."
Additional Facts
2009 GUAM RACING FEDERATION EVENTS CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
Feb. 6
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 8
Motocross Racing Series Round 1/MX1 11a.m. to 6 p.m.,Guam International Raceway, Calvo Memorial Off Road Park.
Feb. 8 (tentative)
Xtreme Mud Racing, Guam International Raceway off-road area.
Feb. 13
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 14
Yigo Fiesta Drag Race (Valentines Day) Night Drag Racing Series Rd.1 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 15
Auto-X 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot, Yigo.
Feb. 16
Drift practice session 6 to 9 p.m., Guam International Raceway parking lot, Yigo
Feb. 20
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo.
Feb. 22
SuperMoto/Scooter Racing Series Round 1/SS1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot.
Feb. 22
Guam Drifting Championship Series Round 1, 3 to 7 p.m., Guam International Raceway main parking lot.
Feb. 27
Street Night (Drag Racing) 7 to 11 p.m., Guam International Raceway Drag Strip, Yigo
Feb. 28
Night TT and Flat Track Racing Series Round 2/TT2, 6 to 10 p.m., Guam International Raceway, Calvo Memorial Off Road Park.
Ellie