Valley pulls ahead as site for car racing

This area is demographically ideal for a racing facility, a spokesman said.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley is leading in the race to land the country's first indoor auto racing facility, but there's still a long way to the finish line.
That's what Bob Brant of Brant Motorsports said Tuesday during a meeting with local officials.
"This is our first choice," Brant said. "But we haven't closed the book on other sites in this region."
He said the Morgantown, W.Va., company, of which he is president, has other sites in mind, but would not say how many or where they are. He said none of them are in Ohio.
Site is near airport
Brant Motorsports wants to build an indoor facility that would house auto races and other entertainment events. The company is working with the Western Reserve Port Authority on plans to build a facility near the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
"We like this area," Brant said. "Demographically, I don't think you could find a better spot."
He said Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are three of the top states in the country when it comes to attending racing events, which is why the company wants to locate a track here.
Major auto races generally draw about 100,000 people, many of whom drive at least three hours to get there. They stay an average of three days, during which they spend at least $200 each, he said.
If a track is built here, it would probably hold two or three major racing events a year, Brant said. An additional 20 "minor" events, such as concerts, motorcycle races, monster truck rallies and trade shows could be held there to help support its operation.
"There are tons of things you could do with that facility," he said. "The nonmotor-sports events would enhance it and make it even more profitable."
Commissioner Ed Reese said the proposed $300 million facility would include some 40 acres under roof.
Economic impact
A study last year by an independent consultant showed that a race facility would generate about $100 million a year for the local economy, and another $100 million during construction. The $60,000 cost of the study was split by Mahoning and Trumbull county commissioners.
Brant said the next step is a more detailed study that would include details for site acquisition, infrastructure improvements and other costs, and determine what sort of nonracing events could be held there.
Once they've come to terms on a business agreement, the company will stop looking at other sites and local leaders will consider Brant Motorsports the project developer, Brant said.
bjackson@vindy.com