CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s the tip of the highway for race followers in Charlotte County. The 4-17 Southern Speedway could also be torn all the way down to construct an leisure venue.
It’s the one monitor of its form right here in Southwest Florida. It’s possible you’ll know big-time racers like Ross Chastain, who acquired their begin right here.
Thursday, Airport Authority Commissioners voted to maneuver ahead in negotiations with Smugglers Occasion Administration as a substitute of the present speedway house owners or a motocross group.
“Our objective is to convey a multi-use facility that can be utilized not just for concert events, festivals, household buddies occasions, company occasions, boat exhibits, automobile exhibits, however with an upgraded meals and beverage element that you just don’t usually discover at let’s say a fairgrounds,” Jerry Cleffi mentioned, normal supervisor of Smugglers Occasions.
Present proprietor, Jon Gentry, hoped the motocross group would win the construct in the event that they didn’t get an opportunity to lease once more. The group had advised him they wished to maintain the monitor and permit them to make use of it.
As an alternative, Smugglers plans to demolish the prevailing infrastructure and construct a live performance venue match with a everlasting stage and transport containers for an upgraded meals and beverage scene.
The lack of the monitor will probably be felt by hundreds throughout Southwest Florida.
“There’s usually between pits and stands, 2500-3000 those that come by way of [weekly],” Gentry mentioned. “They plan their household holidays round these massive races just like the one developing subsequent week.”
Subsequent weekend’s massive race will be the final primary occasion to occur on the speedway. They’re hoping so as to add just a few races to replenish the remainder of the calendar yr, nevertheless it doesn’t take the ache away.
“[The] racing neighborhood, they’re fairly nicely devastated,” Gentry mentioned. “It’s simply unhappy to see one thing go away that’s been right here so lengthy.”
Smugglers mentioned each time they get the inexperienced gentle, they’re prepared to start out renovations, which implies tearing down the monitor for good.
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