BAYTOWN, Texas (Sept. 10) - Officials
from Royal Purple Raceway are taking steps to protect the interest of racers
and their fans, as well as the sizable and long-running investment in southeast
Texas, from an adjacent business that is jeopardizing the racetrack's sanction
with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
Recently, a commercial recycling
company, HPP Materials Inc., began concrete-crushing operations on a tract of
land east of Royal Purple Raceway. A large concrete debris pile has been growing
daily, with the prevailing winds in the area blowing dust and debris from the
site onto Royal Purple Raceway property.
At an event at the track in July, the
wind was so strong and the debris so thick that all on-track activities were
forced to be halted so the track could be cleaned to ensure the safety of the
racers.
NHRA officials were briefed about the
situation and have indicated the NHRA sanction for the track could be in
jeopardy for 2014. That would mean the NHRA SpringNationals is at risk of
coming off the 2014 schedule, which would force Royal Purple Raceway to close
after 27 years of operation.
"If HPP Materials is allowed to
continue with its current business plan of operating a concrete crusher and
industrial-waste recycling facility next door to an outdoor motorsports park
that attracts more than 500,000 participants and spectators annually, then we
will have no choice but to cease doing business as a motorsports park,"
RPR Vice President & General Manager Seth Angel said. "Unfortunately,
should we be forced to close our doors it will immediately halt the substantial
economic impact our venue brings to the region, specifically to the city of
Baytown and its hotel and restaurant industry."
Track officials have attempted in good
faith to work with HPP Materials in an effort to come to a compromise
agreement. One such compromise offered by RPR was to move the rock-crushing and
recycling operations to another location on the company's property, but so far
RPR's efforts have been to no avail.
HPP Materials has applied for an air
permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and track officials
plan to protest the granting of the permit. A TCEQ Public Meeting is scheduled
for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and RPR officials are
encouraging race fans, local merchants, business partners, and others to attend
to show support for the racetrack.
"We know how loyal race fans are,
and we're asking everyone to come and support us at this public meeting,"
Angel said. "The future of professional drag racing in Houston is at
stake."
The Chambers County Community Building
is located at McLeod Park at 10717 Langston Drive in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Click
here to view a map.
The track also has filed a lawsuit in
Chambers County, Texas, to address the operations of HPP's facility and its
impact on Royal Purple Raceway.
In addition, Angel addressed a letter to
NHRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Graham Light asking that the
track be kept on the 2014 national event schedule. In the 2014 schedule
released by NHRA last week, Royal Purple Raceway was given the April 25-27
weekend for the race.
"Royal Purple Raceway is fully
engaged to prevent HPP Materials Inc., the owner of the facility, from
operating in such a manner that interferes with the activity of our Raceway,"
Angel said in the letter.
About Royal Purple Raceway
Built in 1988, the Park is situated on
500 acres on the eastern edge of the greater Houston metropolitan area and is
Houston's only major multi-purpose motorsports venue. The dragstrip, sanctioned
by the National Hot Rod Association, boast a three-story tower building that
incorporates 23 VIP suites, a media center, and race-control facilities
equipped with state-of-the-art timing and scoring equipment, and is home to the
NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals.
About the TCEQ Public Meeting
What:
TCEQ Public Meeting: HPP Materials Inc. Air Permit #101641
When:
7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013
Where:
Chambers County Community Building McLeod Park
10717 Langston Drive
Mont
Belvieu, TX 77523
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