It’s a story that’s become all-too common for the sport of drag racing in recent years, and this time, it involves one of the sport’s most visible professional drag racing facilities.

Heartland Park Topeka, located in northeastern Kansas, has come under political fire of late that could threaten the very existence of the multi-purpose motorsports venue, as a potential acquisition by the city of Topeka of the facility has drawn the ire of local citizens opposed to the deal.

In 2006, the Topeka city council voted to issue $10.46 million of STAR bonds help finance much-needed improvements to Heartland Park. Those bonds were to be paid off utilizing sales tax revenue from the track, however, those STAR bond revenues have fallen short year after year, which has forced the city to use property tax revenue to shore up the difference. You can see where the voting public might have issue here.

In an effort to turn the financial situation around, the city of Topeka has proposed a purchase agreement of the racetrack from current owner, Jayhawk Racing, which city manager Jim Colson proclaimed would allow the city to break even on its issuing of the STAR bonds, while using only sales tax revenue and not property taxes to cover roughly $8 million of bond debt. The city would, at the same time, begin the search for a new buyer for the facility or, at the very least, contract an individual or organization to manage it. Their intent is to keep a vital business in the city that brings in untold millions in annual revenue, in operation.

A group of “concerned citizens” (who we can only assume are not fans of motorsports) who vehemently oppose the city’s purchase of a racetrack, have taken to the streets to deny the city the ability to keep Heartland Park in operation, organizing petition drives to force a city-wide, public cote on the matter. The “concerned citizens” were successful in their bid, reportedly gathering more than 4,000 signatures — well more than is required to put the purchase on a public ballot.

Within the last week, the city has moved to have the petition halting the purchase of Heartland Park declared invalid, only further angering those in opposition.

If the city is successful in its purchase, the acquisition is planned to occur on or before February 15, 2015. But, if the matter goes to a public vote, anything could happen. If history has taught us anything, putting the fate of a race track in the hands of the non-racing public can and often does result in the sad and unfortunate end to racing facilities, regardless of their economic boon to the area.

The city of Topeka released the following statement via the Topeka.org website:

In the simplest terms, the City is purchasing Heartland Park for $5 million dollars, and in exchange, is receiving $16.4 million dollars in sales tax revenue from the State. The State is willing to do this because they recognize Heartland Park as having a “significant economic impact on the state attracting people inside and outside the State of Kansas.” This economic impact also allows the all Kansans to assist with debt service, rather than just the citizens of Topeka.

This plan is similar to the expansion of the T-Bones STAR bond district to incorporate portions of the legends in Kansas City to address the debt service associated with the construction of the T-Bones stadium. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County purchased the T-Bones Stadium and in exchange the state allowed them to expand the district to increase revenue to address debt service. This is a mechanism that has been used statewide for projects from the salt mine museums in Hutchinson to the NASCAR facility in Kansas City. It is a mechanism that allows for local use of state sales tax dollars to encourage local economic development. 

Many people have seen this as the City getting into the racing business which is in no way the plan of the City. To repeat: the City of Topeka has no interest or plans to run a racetrack. The City is in the process of identifying a management group with expertise in the racing industry and the financial ability to effectively manage the track. The City has been contacted by three different entities interested in managing the facility. All three entities have expertise in racing and the financial ability to manage the facility. The selection will go through a public and competitive Request for Proposal process and the best organization will be identified by a committee of internal and external experts in racing, finance and entertainment venues. 

One of the most exciting aspects of this plan is that the NHRA has committed to continuing their relationship with Heartland Park for an additional 3 years if the STAR bond plan is completed. They have also committed to devoting their extensive marketing and promotional department to assist in making sure the event is as successful as possible. The ability to identify a first class organization to manage Heartland Park and garner $16.4 million in new revenue for the City to address debt service with the full support of the NHRA is a unique and exciting opportunity for the City.

Image courtesy NHRA/National Dragster