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reijo
07-19-2010, 07:26 PM
OK - I'm pissed!

The SASC (Southern Alberta Solosport Club and the Corvette and Porsche clubs also) just lost their venue for solo/autox events at the Grey Eagle Casino mainly due to one guy complaining about noise - which is certainly less than Glenmore Trail between the neighbourhood and the lot).

Elections are coming this fall for sh*tty hall and it is time to start us all on-track to vote out anyone opposed to motorsports on council (that means Bronco - who's not running - maybe he's not as stupid as I think - and the rest of his cronies who voted against Race City).

Let us not forget. Let's hit them where it hurts!

I'm sick of motorsports being relegated to a non-status, 2nd rate sport that counts for nothing.

If we can't get those b*st*ards out, I'll vow to leave Calgary since it is not a city worthy of us!

Time to vote! It is time to be united for the sake of motorsports in Calgary ... if you want any here at all!

Reijo

reijo
07-19-2010, 07:39 PM
You know, if one person can make us lose a venue......then one person can kick out city hall nay-sayers.

:)

R

Sugarphreak
07-19-2010, 09:59 PM
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Sentry
07-19-2010, 10:31 PM
That is fucking retarded, who lives out there?

kevie88
07-19-2010, 10:41 PM
Ric Mciver please!!

*edit*

If I were the Tsuu Tina I'd seriously be considering a road course/drag strip to REALLY piss off the city haha..

schocker
07-19-2010, 11:14 PM
Well that sucks. I was looking forward to trying an autox out there as a friend went to one a few weeks ago and had a blast.:thumbsdow

Im going to vote Mciver anyways.

bspot
07-19-2010, 11:43 PM
Originally posted by kevie88
Ric Mciver please!!

As nice as having a track is, there are way more important things for a mayor to decide and you're crazy if you want this wing nut anywhere near city hall.

It'll be Al Duerr part Deux. Years of nothing getting done, and then paying out the ass to catch up as we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

If motorsports make sense for Calgary, someone from the private sector should step up and build something and profit off of it.

CUG
07-20-2010, 01:12 AM
Originally posted by bspot


As nice as having a track is, there are way more important things for a mayor to decide and you're crazy if you want this wing nut anywhere near city hall.

It'll be Al Duerr part Deux. Years of nothing getting done, and then paying out the ass to catch up as we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

If motorsports make sense for Calgary, someone from the private sector should step up and build something and profit off of it. Who do you suggest for the alternative? My only concern with McIver is that he may ride on the backs of the motorsports community to garner votes, and then hang us all once he's in City Hall. Why does CUG think that? This is from Ric's website:


The executed agreement between The City of Calgary and Race City provides the city with timely access to the lands to prepare for landfill expansion and the 114 Ave. SE/Stoney Trail tie-in. Race City is granted permission to continue operating on the city-owned lands to the end of December, 2011.

As that reads, there's only one year left at Race City.

reijo
07-20-2010, 01:41 AM
We have to find out who is not against motorsports in Calgary and vote accordingly. Otherwise all motorsports venues will be gone.

How else can you vote?

I'm not going to vote for someone against motorsports - period. And, I mean the councillors also ... not just the mayor!

You want more stupid monuments/bridges? Keep voting in zeros like Bronco and his cronies!

If people are so stupid to vote in people like Bronco, then I say Calgary is too stupid for me and I'm outta here......it is no longer for me....I do not wish to live among such people.

R

Sugarphreak
07-20-2010, 08:06 AM
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Sugarphreak
07-20-2010, 08:20 AM
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reijo
07-20-2010, 08:56 AM
Originally posted by bspot


As nice as having a track is, there are way more important things for a mayor to decide and you're crazy if you want this wing nut anywhere near city hall.

It'll be Al Duerr part Deux. Years of nothing getting done, and then paying out the ass to catch up as we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

If motorsports make sense for Calgary, someone from the private sector should step up and build something and profit off of it.

Nice idea if it was that simple. Snap your fingers and it's done.

1. Cost about:$25 million (if you can get land).
2. Get some land.
3. Get the land zoned for a race track. This is the hard part and may be impossible anywhere near Calgary (if you can afford the land - see 2). You'll get some NIMBY coming along and saying he doesn't want to hear squealing tires etc. and City Hall will not approve the zoning and you will be dead in the water (this is what happened with the CKRC (Calgary Kart Racing Club)....they thought almost everyone was on their side for a new facility north of Calgary. A couple of farmers said nay....dust on their cows (yes they had a mitigation plan for the dust - but obviously was not given consideration) and fields. Project is dead. money is spent and gone....and they did not even get to the point of zoning and buying the land.

Hundreds of users are shut out.

The tail is wagging the dog.

'nuff said.

You can probably say racing is dead for a long time in Calgary once RAce City is gone.

Hello, street racing!

Stupid.

We NEED TO DO SOMETHING as motorsports enthusiasts or we literally will have nowhere to run - very shortly.

Reijo

ZeeZee
07-20-2010, 08:56 AM
We need a grassroots movement... something along the lines of:

"Keep it off the streets, help keep race city open"

That resonates with the general public.

The Grey Eagle fiasco is ridiculous, I hope they lose their access road anyway...

bspot
07-20-2010, 08:57 AM
Originally posted by reijo

You want more stupid monuments/bridges?

Yes. Yes I do. I love awesome bridges/buildings and they make our city way cooler.




If people are so stupid to vote in people like Bronco, then I say Calgary is too stupid for me and I'm outta here......it is no longer for me....I do not wish to live among such people.

R

Bronco wasn't my favorite, but it's hard to argue with a 3/4 completed ring road, Deerfoot extension, 7 new interchanges on Crowchild, 6 new LRT stations? And a West LRT on it's way to being done. Oh... and a world class pedestrian bridge :bigpimp:

Yup, he spent a lot of our money, not all of it wisely, but he got shit done.

If someone buys a parcel of land and builds a track on it, it doesn't matter if council is pro motorsports or not.

I don't think tax dollars going to prop up rich guys racing their cars is a good use of tax dollars. To think people complain about the pedestrian bridge that tens of thousands of people will use, but they want everyone to foot the bill for a few hundred guys to race on city land?

reijo
07-20-2010, 09:02 AM
As motorsports participants and spectators, it is time we organized and fought for our wants and desires!

I'm sick of hearing our sport getting dragged through the mud and us getting treated like 2nd class citizens or somethihng....with little or no rights.

We can organize and VOTE!

After seeing the Race City fiasco, I swore I would campaign tirelessly for motorsports and get these jerks out of city hall. Then as I looked at City Hall I realized they were a disorganized, back-biting disfunctional bunch of hacks led by a liberal (of all things - yes, Bronco is liberal in his political leanings....no wonder he sounds like such a f*ing whiner!) in conservative country. What a mess! We really need to get Bronco and his cronies (as listed above) the hell OUT of office as quickly as possible.

Calgary deserves better than this bunch of hacks!

Reijo

bituerbo
07-20-2010, 09:04 AM
What ever happened to badlands?

reijo
07-20-2010, 09:12 AM
Originally posted by bspot


Yes. Yes I do. I love awesome bridges/buildings and they make our city way cooler.



Bronco wasn't my favorite, but it's hard to argue with a 3/4 completed ring road, Deerfoot extension, 7 new interchanges on Crowchild, 6 new LRT stations? And a West LRT on it's way to being done. Oh... and a world class pedestrian bridge :bigpimp:

Yup, he spent a lot of our money, not all of it wisely, but he got shit done.

If someone buys a parcel of land and builds a track on it, it doesn't matter if council is pro motorsports or not.

I don't think tax dollars going to prop up rich guys racing their cars is a good use of tax dollars. To think people complain about the pedestrian bridge that tens of thousands of people will use, but they want everyone to foot the bill for a few hundred guys to race on city land?

Ring road etc.? 20 years too late I say! Winnipeg (600,000?) had a ring road when - I know it was there 30 years ago). We are far, far behind! The construction is happening not because of Bronco but rather because of panic on City Hall's part.

The construction methods are bush league at best here! Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic! Closing down lanes DURING rush hour. Signed improperly for speeds ... a bunch of hacks ... time for Calgary to grow up.

Rich guys? Obviously you know very little about racing! There are a few guys with money for sure but the vast majority are not.

Know how you make a small fortune in racing? You start with a big fortune! :)

And, no, I'm not rich.....in fact quite broke these days and can't afford to do the stuff to my car I'd like to even though relatively minimal these days.

By the way I'm not talking about using tax dollars for racing (take a look above - not a single mention of that.....you brought that up). I'm not a liberal cry baby like Bronco looking for hand-outs.

We need a City Council and politicians who are willing to work with us to get land and a facility built! If we cannot zone land for racing, then we are done. The issue is land and zoning....see above.

Those can be done with political will ... not money.

Cheers,

R

Sugarphreak
07-20-2010, 09:17 AM
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CPat
07-20-2010, 09:19 AM
Originally posted by bspot


As nice as having a track is, there are way more important things for a mayor to decide and you're crazy if you want this wing nut anywhere near city hall.

It'll be Al Duerr part Deux. Years of nothing getting done, and then paying out the ass to catch up as we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

If motorsports make sense for Calgary, someone from the private sector should step up and build something and profit off of it.

There are plans for a facility east of Red Deer that is destination oriented, so Calgary is already beginning to be left behind.

So why does the City own and operate six golf courses, give grants to arts foundation, etc. http://www.cantos.ca/news

From personal experience back home, I don't trust polititicans. I especially don't trust politicians to pick winners and losers.
One of the things that makes a city great is diversity. It's having all the different sub cultures and activities, so that no matter what you're into, there's somewhere you can do it.

Personally I'm not sure what to think of the guy - I haven't done any research on anyone running yet. I don't know anything about Al Duerr as I moved here in 2002. Since then Calgary's changed from more of a can do, entrepreneurial "give it a shot" type of place to more and more rules, bureaucracy, and whining.

The problem with politicians is that they DO NOT do what is best for everyone/ the City as a whole. Therefore because of short sighted, small minded polititcs we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

For them everything is political, and they all have their personal hobby horse. If you happen to make sense to support, then they be there to cut the ribbon for you and take the credit for all your hard work.

Calgary is starting to go the way of Vancouver where they have a "No Fun Allowed" committee that opposes everything from the Olypmics to a bicycle race just outside downtown early in the morning on a weekend one day of the year. You are never going to please everyone, but the easiest/laziest/most short-sighted thing is just to say No.

Even with the Olympics generally considered a success my parents, and friends who were downtown in the evening were surprised how they stopped servinng alcohol, policeman/woman everywhere outnumbering everyone else. Any/most family oriented activities were shut down.

Due to the changed atmosphere most people just left and went home (to their gated community). How does that build community? PEOPLE THERE HAVE GIVEN UP on ever having events like Indy, or big festivals spread out over the entire City like Stampede. Everything has to be carefully controlled, and large groups of people say watching fireworks are treated like a threat.

Listen to the CBC and others ragging on Stampede this year about how Calgary's image is getting hurt. How we should be re-branding ourselves as "The Heart of the New West" whatever that is. Stampede already isn't about the rodeo, or agricultural events for most people for what I see on the grounds or at Sunridge Mall where Moms are out with their kids talking with the neighbours and socializing. I get the feeling something like the Red Mile of 2004 will likely never happen again in Calgary. Not everyone was drunk or making an idiot of themselves. What harm was really done? Were there murders, or huge fights? No, but we can trust people. People are bad and must be policed and prevented from getting "out of control."

reijo
07-20-2010, 09:19 AM
Originally posted by bituerbo
What ever happened to badlands?

It is still being worked on (and I've done some work on it myself - I'm a civil engineer BTW).

Zoning is the big issue. One or two Nimbys and there is trouble.....despite everyone else being in favour of the development.

We are still hoping it will go through.

However there is no oval, no dragstrip and other venues that Race City has. Take a look at the map at the web site:

http://www.badlandsmotorsportsresort.com/

It is a lapping track that can be split into 3 separate tracks for tracks days and such as well as a big asphalt pad that can be used for autox.

I think it will be a world-class and excellent facility - again if the zoning goes through. Meetings have occurred even recently with the planner, owners and the Counties of Wheatland and Kneehill. It is a long, costly drawn-out process that can still be shut down before it even gets going - sad.

Again, I think we motorsports enthusiasts have to organize so that our facilties can get built. And, thinking about it now, that includes Badlands Motorsports Resort! We have to support these projects in some substantial way and make sure they get built or like I said earlier, motorsports in Canada (never mind just Alberta - since people from across the country and the USA travel here to compete) will take a hit and go back to the Dark Ages here in Calgary area!

This is not good.

The time to do something and make our voices heard is NOW!

cheers,

Reijo

reijo
07-20-2010, 09:22 AM
Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Just throw the ignore toggle on B-spot, he hasn't been responding to points made about zoning or permiting and is just trolling for reactions.

Yes, you are right!

R:D

reijo
07-20-2010, 09:28 AM
Originally posted by CPat


There are plans for a facility east of Red Deer that is destination oriented, so Calgary is already beginning to be left behind.

So why does the City own and operate six golf courses, give grants to arts foundation, etc. http://www.cantos.ca/news

From personal experience back home, I don't trust polititicans. I especially don't trust politicians to pick winners and losers.
One of the things that makes a city great is diversity. It's having all the different sub cultures and activities, so that no matter what you're into, there's somewhere you can do it.

Personally I'm not sure what to think of the guy - I haven't done any research on anyone running yet. I don't know anything about Al Duerr as I moved here in 2002. Since then Calgary's changed from more of a can do, entrepreneurial "give it a shot" type of place to more and more rules, bureaucracy, and whining.

The problem with politicians is that they DO NOT do what is best for everyone/ the City as a whole. Therefore because of short sighted, small minded polititcs we fall further behind the leading cities of our size.

For them everything is political, and they all have their personal hobby horse. If you happen to make sense to support, then they be there to cut the ribbon for you and take the credit for all your hard work.

Calgary is starting to go the way of Vancouver where they have a "No Fun Allowed" committee that opposes everything from the Olypmics to a bicycle race just outside downtown early in the morning on a weekend one day of the year. You are never going to please everyone, but the easiest/laziest/most short-sighted thing is just to say No.

Even with the Olympics generally considered a success my parents, and friends who were downtown in the evening were surprised how they stopped servinng alcohol, policeman/woman everywhere outnumbering everyone else. Any/most family oriented activities were shut down.

Due to the changed atmosphere most people just left and went home (to their gated community). How does that build community? PEOPLE THERE HAVE GIVEN UP on ever having events like Indy, or big festivals spread out over the entire City like Stampede. Everything has to be carefully controlled, and large groups of people say watching fireworks are treated like a threat.

Listen to the CBC and others ragging on Stampede this year about how Calgary's image is getting hurt. How we should be re-branding ourselves as "The Heart of the New West" whatever that is. Stampede already isn't about the rodeo, or agricultural events for most people for what I see on the grounds or at Sunridge Mall where Moms are out with their kids talking with the neighbours and socializing. I get the feeling something like the Red Mile of 2004 will likely never happen again in Calgary. Not everyone was drunk or making an idiot of themselves. What harm was really done? Were there murders, or huge fights? No, but we can trust people. People are bad and must be policed and prevented from getting "out of control."

Hear! Hear!

Absolutely agree with you! I lived in Vancouver for a little while inbetween my stints in Calgary (been here on/off since 1985) and I know what you are talking about.....and, in fact, I attended something like 4 of the Indy races at BC Place. Now, I haven't been in Vancouver probably in 6 years or so.

And, yes, Calgary was a "can-do" city at one time and it was one of the things I really liked about it. Some of that has disappeared.

How does that happen?

Well, my years in the work force has made readily apparent to me what changes these attitudes.

It comes from the TOP. Bronco and his hencemen/women.

We need them out of there so that our city can be great again!

Reijo

CPat
07-20-2010, 09:29 AM
Here's another example about secondary suites and neighbours:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=169628

CPat
07-20-2010, 09:37 AM
Originally posted by reijo


Ring road etc.? 20 years too late I say! Winnipeg (600,000?) had a ring road when - I know it was there 30 years ago). We are far, far behind! The construction is happening not because of Bronco but rather because of panic on City Hall's part.

The construction methods are bush league at best here! Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic! Closing down lanes DURING rush hour. Signed improperly for speeds ... a bunch of hacks ... time for Calgary to grow up.

Rich guys? Obviously you know very little about racing! There are a few guys with money for sure but the vast majority are not.

Know how you make a small fortune in racing? You start with a big fortune! :)

And, no, I'm not rich.....in fact quite broke these days and can't afford to do the stuff to my car I'd like to even though relatively minimal these days.

By the way I'm not talking about using tax dollars for racing (take a look above - not a single mention of that.....you brought that up). I'm not a liberal cry baby like Bronco looking for hand-outs.



Actually most studies show ring roads have not worked because they do not solve traffic issues by encouraging more spread out development (sprawl) and more traffic friendly development (everything is seperated (pedestrian bridge over freeways)and far enough apart that most people drive instead of say walking.

The ring roads appear to be more of a provincial project than a City project judging by the fact the same project idea is occurring in Edmonton. The people at the top of Alberta Transportation went to school when ring roads were all the rage in the 60's and 70's (built all over the US), studies and land were set aside in Alberta when they first graduated, and now that they are in decision making roles the projects are getting pushed forward. I'd much rather see LRT and support it instead of ring roads. Specifically it would be great if the SELRT got built and the SE ring road did not.

reijo
07-20-2010, 10:16 AM
Originally posted by CPat


Actually most studies show ring roads have not worked because they do not solve traffic issues by encouraging more spread out development (sprawl) and more traffic friendly development (everything is seperated (pedestrian bridge over freeways)and far enough apart that most people drive instead of say walking.

The ring roads appear to be more of a provincial project than a City project judging by the fact the same project idea is occurring in Edmonton. The people at the top of Alberta Transportation went to school when ring roads were all the rage in the 60's and 70's (built all over the US), studies and land were set aside in Alberta when they first graduated, and now that they are in decision making roles the projects are getting pushed forward. I'd much rather see LRT and support it instead of ring roads. Specifically it would be great if the SELRT got built and the SE ring road did not.

Are you saying, getting the Trans Canada Hwy traffic off of 16th Ave. is not going to work? What study says that? Give me a quote......like I said I'm an engineer and studied traffic engineering among other things in school.....so you'll need facts to convince me.

Also the east end of the city is where the Industrial parks are where the heavy and big trucks will be moving.....off of Deerfoot Trail. Do you think that will not help?

When's the last time you drove by Glenmore Trail? Do you remember the traffic tie-ups? Yah.....it was BAD....I used to avoid the area any time near rush hour - a vast improvement now....you just fly through there....until you hit 37th St.....which backs up to Crowchild and beyond to the east (west-bound) during the afternoon rush hour.

LRT? Should've gone underground DT......that was a mistake... "cheaped out" ... but they are talking about going underground for another line in downtown. But if you are in a rush (on the job) or need a vehicle to go to different job sites, the buses and LRT will not work. Will a client pay you to sit in a bus for 2 hours when 20 minutes will work in a vehicle? You will find yourself out of work in short order. On the other hand, I do support more extention of the LRT and such.

However the parking fees at LRT's has got to go......that was a bad move......it is hardly worth using it now. I found it was just as cheap to drive my gas-hog truck to work and pay less for parking there than use the LRT and waste my time. If the LRT is being used as a money-grabbing tool then they have missed the boat.

Parking fess downtown 2nd in North America behind New York city? Idiotic. Down with City Hall!

R

ZeeZee
07-20-2010, 03:16 PM
interesting reading:

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2009/01/why-wont-the-city-compromise-with-race-city/

sti420
07-20-2010, 03:30 PM
I'm ashamed that I voted for Pinhead Pincott. Won't be getting my vote this time around.

ZeeZee
07-20-2010, 03:59 PM
More interesting reading. Something doesn't smell right with this.

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2009/11/secn-investigation-reveals-city-lease-offer-to-race-city-indefensible/

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2009/11/city-hall-tries-to-impose-3000-rent-increase-on-race-city-and-related-nonsense/

reijo
07-20-2010, 05:34 PM
Originally posted by ZeeZee
More interesting reading. Something doesn't smell right with this.

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2009/11/secn-investigation-reveals-city-lease-offer-to-race-city-indefensible/

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2009/11/city-hall-tries-to-impose-3000-rent-increase-on-race-city-and-related-nonsense/

Yes, the whole thing stinks to high heaven, doesn't it?

As for the storm water ponds.....there are easily other ways to do it (if required indeed!) without tearing Race City apart...... I know this because I have designed storm water ponds as a civil engineer...part of my job.

The City's reasoning (or lack thereof) does not fly with me at all - total BS. But if the actions sound vindictive on the part of the City? If it looks like ...

That's why we have to VOTE.

Reijo

01RedDX
07-20-2010, 11:50 PM
.

CUG
07-21-2010, 03:04 AM
Before people fly to the polls to vote for McIver, I think he has a LOT of questions to answer. This thread should almost get moved to Current Events.

He needs to answer for his statements on his website that "the track is granted operation until the end of 2011"

The motorsports community has the ability to win a mayoral election for someone, make that guy answer questions, and make him f-ing work for it.

He could easily ride our backs into the mayors seat, hanging everyone afterwards. He's not guaranteed anyone that we'll still have a track.

ZeeZee
07-21-2010, 08:01 AM
I'm closely looking at Nenshi and Connelly right now. Nenshi's view as an outsider is that it makes no sense for the city to cancel the lease when Race City had the lease until 2025.

My beef with Connelly is his support for the firing of the auditor.

Sugarphreak
07-21-2010, 08:05 AM
...

PremiumRSX
07-21-2010, 08:50 AM
That was a good article on Alnoor Kassam. Reminded me of why I didn't like him.

e31
07-21-2010, 09:03 AM
That stupid horse racetrack out by Crossiron still hasn't been finished. I'd love nothing more than to see them pave it. They already have the stables built big enough for any prancing horse or Sant'Agata bull.

ZeeZee
07-21-2010, 09:13 AM
Kassam is a creep. Who votes for this guy?

reijo
07-21-2010, 09:41 AM
Originally posted by CUG
Before people fly to the polls to vote for McIver, I think he has a LOT of questions to answer. This thread should almost get moved to Current Events.

He needs to answer for his statements on his website that "the track is granted operation until the end of 2011"

The motorsports community has the ability to win a mayoral election for someone, make that guy answer questions, and make him f-ing work for it.

He could easily ride our backs into the mayors seat, hanging everyone afterwards. He's not guaranteed anyone that we'll still have a track.

Take a look at McIvor's responses quoted in the Calgary Beacon. They should like a man passionately working for the motorsports community and also displays interest therein. His, IMHO, is not a ploy to get votes.....he is genuinely interested in helping us out.

Of course, I cannot say that he will be perfect in all regards - no one is.

Political office can be pretty treacherous ... hero one day, zero the next and it can all be based on perception. Truth be damned. I don't envy people running for office.....it is tough ... again, IMHO.

There is just too much polical-correctness in society these days - IMHO. There is no way on God's green earth that you will please everyone, all the time. :)

Reijo

Sugarphreak
07-21-2010, 11:10 AM
....

jorge
08-01-2010, 11:29 AM
Hi guys,
I am just reading all these comments;
- “I'm sick of motorsports being relegated to a non-status, 2nd rate sport that counts for nothing”
- “ The complaint was literally unfounded and there is a lot of speculation that there may be political motivating factor…”
- “If motorsports make sense for Calgary, someone from the private sector should step up and build something and profit off of it”
- “Good luck getting a building permit, the city seems to have a pretty strong mandate against any new facilities”
Well, first of all I am as demoralized about the whole motorsports situation in our city as every one of you, but I must say that too many people here are just barking up the wrong tree.
Politicians here and everywhere only understand one thing; Votes! Whether it is Calgary or anywhere else you never see politicians hire accountants or environmental planers to help manage and strategize their campaigns, they hire marketing and P.R. people to do this and why so? Because all they are interested in is to have an accurate pulse of their voter’s views on things so they can get their votes. Unfortunately for us, the general public’s view of motorsport in general, whether it be here or anywhere in Canada, is that we are not a “real sport” (like hockey, football, basketball, etc) that our sport is conducive to behavior that is unfriendly to our environment, that it carries a hidden cost to our society (in the way of noise, damage to property and human injuries) .
Don’t forget these undisputable facts; possibly, only in North America motorsports carries this image. The reason for this is that in most parts of the world, motorsports historically was practiced by the wealthy who were looked up to by society. In contrast, in our continent, the two most common forms of motorsports until recently were Stock Cars and Drag racing, both deriving from illegal activities (stock cars from liquor running during prohibition and Drag Racing from street racing done my G.I.s returning from the war) It is sad but this is what separates our continent from others and maybe why Motorsports has had a historical negative image here.
Now, as much as we all know this is a very old and wrong view of our activities, I am sure we all can agree that this stereotyped view of our sport by the general population is exactly what the strategists and P.R. people are conveying to politicians at election time. Knowing this, what do you think most politicians will lean towards? Helping and respecting the motorsports enthusiasts or burying the grease monkeys? Unfortunately we have been packaged as the later.
All this is partly our fault because over the decades we have spent too many hours working on our cars but not enough hours on ensuring we have the public support to secure venues where we can race our cars.
Ok, so now that I have stated the obvious; what is the solution? Well, the solution is neither easy or quick because what we need to do is to change the general public’s perception of Motorsports so that the public itself would press their politicians to support us in the same way they would support a hockey arena.
This would be my wish list if one would have such a task;
1- Form a “Friends of Motorsports” association across Canada for the specific purpose of uplifting the image of motorsports and showing it in a positive light to all segments of the population from average house wives to environmentalists. Yes it can be done!
2- Through this association educate the general population, particularly targeting the non-motorsports crowd, in the following matters;
a- The world level motorsports practiced here which require ingenuity and discipline
b- The extents which our clubs go to ensure we are environmentally friendly and how our sports compares with others in this field
c- The incredible value that organized motorsports can bring to our societies by offering people that want to race an organized environment which not only provides safety for the public but also for the competitor.
d- The huge advances in auto safety which historically has derived from motorsports engineering
e- How today’s competitor must be as physically fit as any other athlete in order to be competitive as a driver.
f- Promote the fact that our sport is filled with competitors whom are successful professionals such as; doctors, engineers, media moguls, commercial air pilots, police officers, software designers, etc, etc.
g- When properly organized and given an equal support as other municipal infrastructures, the large financial advantage a good motorsport facility can bring to our cities.
h- The invaluable training opportunities that a racing facility can deliver to public in the form of special driver training and to governmental organizations such as police, fire department, EMS, etc.

These are just a few but very important areas where we need to educate the general public and erase the stigma that our sport has, which often results in non-support by the general public.
I know many will say; but this is nothing new; these items are exactly what we have been lobbying to our City Hall people and it has not helped, well, what I am saying is stop lobbying to them and start educating the general public so that they do the lobbying for you.
One thing for sure is that it will not help at all to continue with our old ways of sitting around and bitching about our local politicians and how inexplicable it is to have no racing facility in an oil town. After all large investors and large corporations also need to be seen by that same public as responsible members of our society. Maybe that is why we cannot get them to build a racing facility.
Jorge

speedog
08-01-2010, 12:04 PM
Cross Iron Mills will never work as a auto sports facility - the city is growing towards it too fast. Instead, maybe eyes should turned southward to Rocky Mountain Raceway Park (link (http://www.racetherock.ca/)) just north of High River - it's for sale and the adjoining (separately held) lands just to the north would easily accommodate further auto sports facilities as well as camping with an existing pedestrian underpass under the #3 highway.

No nearby urban neighbours and hardly any nearby rural neighbours either plus it has great paved access off of the #2 highway. Google Maps link (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rocky+mountain+raceway+park&sll=50.913591,-114.073695&sspn=0.008469,0.026157&gl=ca&ie=UTF8&hq=rocky+mountain+raceway+park&hnear=&ll=50.664043,-113.850031&spn=0.017029,0.068665&t=h&z=15).

Zewind
08-17-2010, 07:12 PM
Originally posted by speedog
Cross Iron Mills will never work as a auto sports facility - the city is growing towards it too fast. Instead, maybe eyes should turned southward to Rocky Mountain Raceway Park (link (http://www.racetherock.ca/)) just north of High River - it's for sale and the adjoining (separately held) lands just to the north would easily accommodate further auto sports facilities as well as camping with an existing pedestrian underpass under the #3 highway.

No nearby urban neighbours and hardly any nearby rural neighbours either plus it has great paved access off of the #2 highway. Google Maps link (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rocky+mountain+raceway+park&sll=50.913591,-114.073695&sspn=0.008469,0.026157&gl=ca&ie=UTF8&hq=rocky+mountain+raceway+park&hnear=&ll=50.664043,-113.850031&spn=0.017029,0.068665&t=h&z=15).


its approx 16 miles south of calgary thats a tad far for the average person.

speedog
08-17-2010, 08:34 PM
Originally posted by Zewind
its approx 16 miles south of calgary thats a tad far for the average person. 16 miles is too far? Really? 16 miles would be about 7 minutes for most beyonders and that would be the slow beyonders.

Sentry
08-17-2010, 11:01 PM
I would make the drive every week.

RCMP is already on the very south end of the City, RMR wouldn't be that much more of a drive.

Zewind
08-18-2010, 12:41 PM
Moving on from distance - Where is the City & the Speed way sitting on the renewal of land contract or whatever?

Anyone?

Ive e-mail the city and a few of the candidates about there positions on this.

speedog
08-18-2010, 02:17 PM
Last news I heard was the lease is up at the end of 2011.

reijo
08-18-2010, 06:59 PM
No other news....that is the latest.....Race City is gone at the end of the 2011 season.

Sucks. We can pay them back by voting them OUT!

inline6turbo
08-18-2010, 08:46 PM
Originally posted by Zewind



its approx 16 miles south of calgary thats a tad far for the average person.

Absolutely not. I'd say that's relative to how far bud park is out from Edmonton. I don't think that's to far for anyone. I'd do it every weekend, or more if there were mid week events. That sound like a great idea.

Disoblige
08-18-2010, 10:16 PM
Yeah, that's 45 km from downtown Calgary.. Not bad at all.. <shrugs>

speedog
08-18-2010, 10:48 PM
So is it do-able???

http://www3.telus.net/public/slugs/rcmp-rmr.jpg

Zewind
08-19-2010, 04:15 PM
As much as I would love to see Racecity stay there. I am also looking to the future.


I am looking for anyone that would like to help keep or relocate the speedway.

m10-power
08-20-2010, 12:35 AM
Originally posted by kevie88
Ric Mciver please!!

*edit*

If I were the Tsuu Tina I'd seriously be considering a road course/drag strip to REALLY piss off the city haha..

Hey that was my ider, seriously though its really the only chance of a facility near Calgary

Take your kart club And badlands concept and meet with the band

Partner near grey eagles, build a hotel and make it happen

Zewind
08-20-2010, 10:03 AM
Problem with Tsuu Tina is they are fickel, I couldnt see them really agreeing to this

Go4Long
08-20-2010, 10:06 AM
if you pitched it as money being brought in when the big events come in...and more attendance at their casino, etc, you'd be surprised what they might agree to.

speedog
08-20-2010, 10:16 AM
Tsuu T'ina is an interesting alternative and the area to the west and southwest of the casino could easily accommodate a facility similar in size to Race City. Would probably really piss off the neighbouring Calgary residents in that general southwest area though, but there would be nothing they could do about it if Tsuu T'ina went ahead with such a project.

m10-power
08-20-2010, 07:15 PM
Originally posted by Zewind
Problem with Tsuu Tina is they are fickel, I couldnt see them really agreeing to this

It simply business, its their land and a facility near the old sarcee base would be ideal with glenmore becoming the major road a bit away with a decent wall would allow noise to be minimized. This is the only viable location anywhere near Calgary.

A good facility would bring in a great deal of income and allow major events to be held near a major city which would benefit both parties.

m10-power
10-13-2010, 02:14 PM
Some info on the various wards and their stance on RCMP

Ward 4

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me.

Race city has been badly treated as a business by the City of Calgary. The city cancelled the_original lease made with the speedway_which was to have been until 2025. A new lease has been signed, for a shorter period, though some members of council want to cancel the new lease as well. There have been attempts to increase the lease costs to Race City by as much as 3000% and access to the site was cut off for a period by the city. This treatment of_business in Calgary has been nothing less than shameful.
_
Cancelling signed contracts is a terrible thing to do and rest assured it makes many businesses reconsider_their decisions to come to our city._Calgary businesses_need to be assured that they have a stable environment to operate in and a city council and administration that can be trusted. Recent actions demonstrate that that trust is not there_right now. As a candidate in favor of a business friendly city, I would like to ensure that businesses are comfortable in moving to and operating in Calgary.
_
Calgary has been growing quickly and we need to examine what will be happening_in our outskirts._The issue of Race City should be examined and it should be determined if_the site should move when the lease is up or if_it is still feasible to remain at its current location. Race city brings many outside dollars into our city with its events and its programs_help reduce uncontrolled street racing which has been a huge and terrible problem in other cities._

Thanks,

Jane


in Riding 2. Gord Lowe is the incumbent and he was anti-track, pro -pending increase and pr- tax increases (his nickname was “miniBronc”). His 3 opponents have no substance or relevant skills. I have talked to the election people and leaving a ballot blank is counted and reported on. Hopefully Gord will get the message and realize some people refused to vote for him. There might be hope if Ric gets in and Gord becomes his little brown nose as he did with Bronconnier!

ward 11 (Pincott) I asked James Maxim and he is a strong supported of Race City. The others were non-committal.

Ward 2
Gord Lowe - against
Joe Magliocca - for Race City. Joe owns a Ferrari and tracks his F355 F1


Peter DeMong is also a firm supporter of Race City from ward 14. _I spoke with him in person last night.
Polls are showing that he is pretty much tied with Linda FoxMellway at this point, each at about 27%.
Linda FoxMellway has been in for 14 years and has been against Race City from the start. _She needs to go.

Some info gathered by others, will post more as it comes in.

m10-power
10-13-2010, 02:19 PM
iphone editting sucks

Info is gathered by other, im just reposting it

Bumjubeo
10-13-2010, 03:20 PM
Both Shane Keating and Roger Crowe in Ward 12 are for keeping Race City.

To quote from Roger Crowe's Site

14. Race City Speedway
First, I would like to clear up a couple of misconceptions.
Unlike my competitors (Browne, Keating) who state that Race City is a "not for profit enterprise" (Quarry Park debate, Oct. 4/10) according to Rome Awde, former operator of Race City, "Race City Inc. is currently and always has been, since 1985, a for profit venture". Misconception #1.
Mr. Browne and Mr. Keating have also stated in response to "would you support extending the lease of Race City", that they would indeed. Fair enough; as would I, as clearly they (Race City) have been treated in a less than fair manner by the City.
What I also stated in this same debate was that I, and the public at large would be loath to extend public funds to a for profit venture. This goes to point #2; extending the lease will only solve part of the problem and will only delay decisions that need to be made on behalf of the City, and on behalf on Race City. I am fully in support of Race City as I feel that its existence fulfills a public need and keeps dangerous activity from occurring in the public domain. Race City provides a controlled, safe environment for this activity, at no cost to the public at large; a very laudable goal. We need to start discussions now, not just about the lease, but about the long-term future of this facility. This is what is needed now, not just a simple short term approach saying, "well, lets just extend the lease". This will not address the underlying issue and that is of a permanent home for Race City and a well sorted out business plan to take it past the next few years and into the future. I have extended an offer to work with Race City to accomplish both the short-term and long-term goals.


Quote From Shane Keating

I would support the City helping the non profit racing organisations in obtaining a long term lease on City land some where. This could be in its present location or in a different place. The fundamental aspect is we need to help all forms of recreation and arts. I have heard that there may be a better place close to the #1 highway, in any place the City should work with the racing community. If where the race track is the best then give them a long term lease.
Thank you
Shane

89s1
10-13-2010, 04:31 PM
Originally posted by Zewind



its approx 16 miles south of calgary thats a tad far for the average person.

You're crazy. I worked with a guy that drove in from nanton everyday. Nanton is even farther than high river, and IMO isn't very far at all.

m10-power
10-13-2010, 07:05 PM
this answer from Michael Krisko for ward 7 (Druh the incumant voted against it), it doesn't look like he has been elected before but seems to have a lot of political advisory experience, also the only candidate to reply in a timely manner:
_
2. How do you feel about Race City?
___________ All for it. I shouldn’t be sleeping in anyways, my neighbour has a race car and, of course tunes it up. Humour aside, not all Calgarians jog, bike or ride horses. A permanent race track will enhance the quality of life for a great many residents. Plus, it is a great city tourism and revenue producer. We might even be able to steal the race spotlight from Montreal one day. As a caveat this, I’m against any by-laws that will restrict race adherents use of their garages to work on their vehicles.
_

rage2
10-13-2010, 07:19 PM
Originally posted by m10-power
We might even be able to steal the race spotlight from Montreal one day.
I wish haha.

m10-power
10-13-2010, 07:35 PM
Originally posted by rage2

I wish haha.

Ya that will never happen at the current facility, land to the east plus ~$30mil invested and maybe...

m10-power
10-17-2010, 12:13 PM
Dear Motorsport Enthusiasts
_
Over the past 3 years, the Calgary motorsport community has been threatened with the loss of Race City Motorsport Park._ Somewhere along the way, city administration lost sight of the fact that Race City is an important venue to maintain for Calgarians, and they made other plans for the city-owned land that Race City occupies._ By the time that these plans were communicated to Race City owner Art Mackenzie, the public, and city council, administration had progressed so far down this path that it seemed Race City was doomed.
_
The motorsports community has banded together through the Motorsports Council of Calgary to oppose the termination of the Race City lease with the City of Calgary._ We have so far received support from about half of the aldermen, led by alderman and now candidate for mayor, Ric McIvor.
Council did not support a lease extension in Feb 2009, but Ric McIver tried again and on Sept 28 2009 city council directed city administration to work out a deal to extend the lease with Race City to 2015, which resulted in another two year deal (2010 - 2011).
_
It is important that we continue to support aldermanic candidates and a mayor that support Race City and/or motorsports in the City of Calgary.
_
This Monday October 18, we collectively have the opportunity to reach another milestone in the battle to maintain a motorsports venue in Calgary.
Our research shows that we have the opportunity to elect a motorsport friendly City Council._ While we held a slim majority in the past, we were missing the most important part, a motorsports friendly mayor.
_
We urge you to get out and Vote for Ric McIver for Mayor, and vote for the motorsport friendly Alderman that represents the ward you live in. Visit www.motorsportcouncilofcalgary.ca for further info.
_
The Aldermanic picks are as follows:
Ward 1: Dale Hodges
Ward 2: Joe Magliocca
Ward 3: Jim Stevenson
Ward 4: Brad Northcott
Ward 5: Ray Jones
Ward 6: Brent Mielke
Ward 7: Kevin Taylor
Ward 8: John Mar
Ward 9: Mike Pal
Ward 10: Andre Chabot
Ward 11: James Maxim
Ward 12: Roger Crowe
Ward 13: Diane Colley-Urquhart
Ward 14: Richard Dur
_
Your vote is important, and the future of motorsports in Calgary depends on it.
_
Sincerely,
Motorsport Council of Calgary

reijo
10-18-2010, 07:53 AM
Today's the day - 10 am to 8 pm - let's get out and vote for motorsports! We can't let the previous Bronco council get away with what they did! Let's hit 'em where it hurts!

This is pay-back time.

Reijo