Pigs are Flying Over Big Lake Minnesota!
A state-of-the-art motorsports track complex, envisioned to attract the biggest names in racing, is being proposed for 400 acres in the Big Lake area.
The $200 million facility would accomodate 90,000 fans and could expand to more than 150,000, said the developer, International Motorsports Entertainment and Development Corp (IMED) of Coon Rapids.
The developer, and corporation president Jim Farnum, claims they’re “not asking for a dime” of public money that funds would hopefully “attract funding from Minnesota corporations.”
“Hopefully”…. that doesn’t sound like a very sound business plan to me. Would you be surprised to hear the government officials in Big Lake and neighboring Big Lake Township haven’t heard peep #1 about this major project?
Me neither, but hey, it looks good. On paper.
As planned (Shhhh, don’t tell the locals!) the proposed speed plant would have a -mile-high banked paved oval, a 1-mile flat paved oval, a quarter-mile drag strip, a 3/8-mile oval dirt track and a 100,000-square-foot exhibition and convention center, plenty of open space, and get this… a rail line.
Well, there goes Jack in the Hat’s plan to fly to event in his beloved P-51 Mustang. He’ll have to chug in on a BNSF Railway engine. Or the Northstar commuter rail line that opens in 2009. And he won’t have to concern himself with flying pigs!
Did I tell ya it also included a 100,000 square foot exhibition and convention center? Well there ya go, you know now, make your reservations for the next Star Trek convention now.
This alleged track with a financing plan based on hope (Is ObamaMessiah involved?), that local government officials are in the dark about will open sometime in 20011. Supposedly.
Farnum said it’s his intent for the complex to attract “at the highest levels possible” drivers in stock, road race, drag racing and open wheel racing.
Ok, the PICTURE has the IndyCar logo in it, that’s something, not much but it’s about the same as the rest of this plan, paper and not much else.
At this point IndyCar has tracks clamoring for dates that were aced out by Tony G’s merger, and if he’s anywhere near sucessful more will be in line and ahead of any new track in Minnesota.
As for the highest level of stock car racing…. buwahahahaha!
If highest level means ARCA or ASA or the Hooter’s series he has a shot. Hopes of gaining any NASCAR date are on par with wanting 80 degree weather in International Falls, MN on Christmas Eve.
Farnum also claims management will provide more information about the project in the coming weeks. Like maybe tell the locals? That might help.
If you didn’t notice I’m highly skeptical of this entire scheme. But hell, it looks good. On paper. And paper is recyclable, that’s something.
And BTW, read the comments on the original post, it starts with a classic about “redneck racing” is on it way out and how “hick” will start to migrate north.
You know, the twins and the gophers are going to get their stadiums out of everyones tax dollars, it’s just nice to see someone trying to put forth a valiant effort on getting something that the twin cities metro area has longed for for many years. I wouldn’t have any problem with a portion of my tax dollars going to something that would actually turn an astounding profit. I applaud the idea and look forward to spending my hard earned cash on something that makes sense.
I won’t argue with your point, I’m just highly skeptical these are the right people to do it. To b e this far advanced in the planning stages and not yet been in contact with the local officials is to say the least odd, if not downright crazy.
As far at tax dollars spent, as a general rule I’d be against it but… there are times whjen it has worked out.
Kansas Speedway is a prime example. The bonds they floated were retired before they were due saving tax dollars and the surrounding area has seen a financial boom because of the presence of the track.