Letter: Speedway could provide help to street racers

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2000 | 9:23 a.m.

I know the adrenalin rush of blowing off the doors of a fellow racer, the feeling of being top dog and the peer acceptance. I also know of the legal hassles, the sadness over the serious injury to a friend.

This is not just a local problem, it is all over. Los Angeles has more problems than we do, as they have virtually no drag strips. Some ex-street racers, such as Big Willie in Los Angeles, have gone to great personal expense and time to get a legal place to race, to no avail. Some police agencies have tried to help.

Part of the problem is land and lots of money. Here in Las Vegas we have a first-class drag strip and safety is first class. However, there is a problem. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a for-profit facility. I have talked to racers on both sides of this issue, and they all feel like they are being overcharged (why pay when you are performing for the crowd?)

So in essence, being there is no advertising and no business sponsorships to speak of, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has to charge to cover overhead.

Come on, local agencies, we can do better than this for our young! Racers, get organized! I am sure that the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will work with you.

SPENCE SHARP