WAITSBURG – Waitburg's city council expressed support of the proposed Waitsburg Raceway, with Mayor Walt Gobel saying, "It's obvious the council is for you," at the Dec. 17 City Council Meeting. However, official approval was put on hold to allow citizens the opportunity for input at a Jan. 6 public workshop.

Walla Walla resident Brandon Kelly was stopped partway through his initial presentation on the proposed raceway at November's city council meeting and asked to return with specific plans regarding noise and safety. This month, he showed up with a half-dozen supporters, information on noise control, and pending fire and police contracts.

Kelly would like to modify the Waitsburg Fairgrounds horse-racing track for car-racing events and is willing to perform and pay for the modifications. He envisions monthly races, beginning in May and running through October, with the night races followed by dances.

He sees the endeavor as a win-win for the community and wants to create opportunities for local groups and organizations to benefit from the influx of race fans by providing food, a beer garden, print merchandising, and even holding fundraising raffles.

"There is the potential for thousands of people to attend races over the course of a season and those people are going to be using the town's facilities," Kelly told The Times.

At November's meeting, the council was tentatively supportive, with the exception of councilor K.C. Kuykendall who said he thought the track was a neat idea but couldn't see it happening. Kuykendall was absent from the Dec. 17 meeting.

This month, Kelly submitted information, previously requested by Kuykendall, regarding sound measurements, including a NASCAR sound study. He also said Washington state law regulates decibel ratings in town but provides an exception (WAC 173-60-050 3g) for sounds originating from motor vehicle racing events at existing authorized facilities.

Councilor Kevin House said the two biggest concerns he's heard have been noise and dust.

Kelly explained that the races are not dusty like a demo derby, but are on a slick, compacted track, and that the pit area will also be watered down.

Regarding noise, he said the races would only be for a few hours, once a month.

He said cars would be tested and not allowed on the course if the muffler decibel rating was louder than 98 decibels at 50 feet. He said a garbage truck is more than 98 decibels and that an ATV with an aftermarket pipe registers 115.

Tyson Hammond, who owns Melody Muffler in Walla Walla, was in attendance and said he often uses his decibel meter in his 9th Street parking lot and the average sound is around 85 decibels.

Vintage sprint car racer Mike Reese said that Portland Speedway, Shasta Speedway, and Meridian Speedway are all "right in town" and they are allowed 100 dBA's at 100 feet.

"Oregon has absolutely the most stringent rules anywhere. In order to circumvent any noise issues, what Portland Speedway did, is when you registered and passed your dBA you got to race. But they monitored every car as it went by and if it was over 100 dBAs at 100 feet you got the white flag and you went in," he said.

Walla Walla Sheriff's Office chief Administrative Deputy Shanda Zessin attended the meeting to give a sheriff's office update and stayed to confirm that Kelly had negotiated a contract with their office. The contract calls for two deputies to be on hand at each event, pending the approval of the racetrack.

Kelly said he had reached a tentative agreement for fire and EMS services with Walla Walla – Columbia County Dist. No. 2 Fire Chief Jim Callahan, and would meet with the fire commissioners on Mon., Dec. 21. Kelly will be personally responsible for covering all fire and police costs.

The council touched briefly on issues of maintenance and potential vandalism, and agreed the specifics should be included in the lease contract. Council closed the meeting with the intent to approve a one-year lease, which would include a 30-day out for either party for extenuating circumstances.

After a one-year trial, Kelly would have the option of negotiating the longer lease he initially requested.

Before approving the raceway, Mayor Gobel suggested an open house to allow the community a chance to weigh in.

"There may not be anybody here, but it will give the community a chance to know what we're doing and ask questions. I don't see anybody having any big problem with this. Tentatively, as far as we're concerned, we're going to run with this," said Mayor Gobel.

Courtesy Photo

Brandon Kelly with his three-year-old daughter Baylee. Kelly hopes his proposed Waitsburg Raceway will provide the opportunity for wholesome family fun.

An open house workshop, where Kelly will again present his proposal, is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jan. 6 at the Lions Memorial Building at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. Anyone interested in the proposed raceway – either for or against – is invited to attend.