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63 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 21, 2004 Drag-strip manager Allen Rains says he would hate to see John Skinner pull out of his county lease to operate the Southern Oregon Dragway. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Fate of drag strip in the pits? Lease for the strip expires soon, and some are calling for new management By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Drag-strip supporters say time’s running out for the management of a quarter-mile track next to the Southern Oregon Speedway. Dave Hix, president of the Oregon Drag Racing Association, said promoter John Skinner should step aside and let someone else take over the Southern Oregon Dragway’s lease with Jackson County when it expires Dec. 31. "He’s been there for six years and it has deteriorated, so why would we want him to sign up again?" asked Hix, a Central Point resident. "We want the track put up for bid again." Skinner, who also operates Southern Oregon Speedway, said he hasn’t made up his mind yet whether he wants to continue the lease or let it be taken over by another interested organization, such as the Hot Rod Gassers Association. He said he probably would make a decision sometime after a division race in October, but noted that if he ended the lease he would like to sell equipment at the track. Advertisement Drag-racing fans complain that the strip has inadequate bathrooms and bleachers, a dirty pit area and is in need of a lighted return road for dragsters. Skinner, however, estimates that during the six years he’s leased the facility from the county, he’s sunk $300,000 into maintenance and other improvements. This year, $10,000 went to fix the grandstands, said Skinner. "People forget about that stuff," he said. Skinner leases the strip for $1 a year but is required by the county to make $25,000 in improvements every three years. Randy Hutton, county parks administrative assistant, said Skinner has until Nov. 1 to notify the county if he wants to continue the arrangement. County commissioners could renew Skinner’s lease next year or open it up to other bidders. "Now is the time to step up to the plate," said Hutton. "Now is the time for folks to let their feelings be heard." Hix, a Central Point resident, said many drag-strip enthusiasts in Jackson County refuse to use the track because of bad feelings about Skinner. Fewer and fewer races are being held there, he said. As many as 100 to 150 cars used to race on a given day, but now that’s down to less than 50, Hix said. "If we had a new promoter out there, things would turn around," he said. "We don’t care who gets in there as long as they do a good job." Skinner was negotiating a deal earlier this year with the Hot Rod Gassers Association, but it fell through. However, the association is still eager to get the lease, one of its owners said. Jim Taylor said his business is putting together a lease proposal that will be presented to the county by the end of this month. Taylor said he would consider purchasing some of the track equipment from Skinner. "We would negotiate a fair market value for the stuff he has," he said. Taylor, who is from Molalla, estimated that about $250,000 over the next few years must be spent to make the dragway a first-class operation, including installing new bathrooms, a lighted return road for dragsters and seating for disabled people, as well as grading the pit area and finishing the bleacher area. He said the track would have to be repaved in a year or two. "We don’t think this facility can go another three years and survive," he said. Phyliss Simpler, Southern Oregon representative for the gassers association, said the drag strip could be turned into a destination facility that would generate millions for the county, citing the success of a track in Woodburn. But, as the drag strip now stands, Simpler said, "So many racers who will not come here because of the condition of the pits." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities