Tweet
From Bay News 9 Tampa/St. Pete:
The Sunshine Speedway will get a new lease on life.
The Florida Department of Transportation opened bidding to lease and operate the racetrack for at least the next five years.
The track has been closed since the state bought the land in 2004 to make way for a connector from Interstate 275 to Roosevelt Boulevard. Dragstrip races have continue at the facility.
Two dozen interested bidders were at the track Thursday for a pre-bid meeting.
Jimmy Cope, a former racer, is one of the parties interested in reopening the track to racing.
"I want to run it," Cope said. "I want to promote it. It’s a lifelong dream."
Todd Dickenson already leases out the neighboring drag strip.
He plans to put in his own bid for the property, or at least sublease from the winning bidder to continue operating drag races.
"I’m interested in staying at the drag strip," Dickenson said. "That’s kind of a family deal to me and I’d like to keep it going."
State Senator Jack Latvala the plan is a win-win situation for the state.
"[The state] will receive rent until it is used for road construction, and for the community, which will benefit from jobs at the facility and in the collateral auto repair business related to the track," Latvala said.
The racetrack will be leased "as is." That means investment in infrastructure, like lights, grandstands, concessions and a PA system, is necessary.
"It’s a big investment, but worth it," Cope said. "It’s got a big, big county to draw people from. Location, location, location. It’s right here."
For the last few years, the Florida Turnpike Authority has used the racetrack as a toll research and test facility.
That equipment will be moved.
Bidding for the property ends Dec. 19. The track could open for racing as soon as next spring.
The Sunshine Speedway will get a new lease on life.
The Florida Department of Transportation opened bidding to lease and operate the racetrack for at least the next five years.
The track has been closed since the state bought the land in 2004 to make way for a connector from Interstate 275 to Roosevelt Boulevard. Dragstrip races have continue at the facility.
Two dozen interested bidders were at the track Thursday for a pre-bid meeting.
Jimmy Cope, a former racer, is one of the parties interested in reopening the track to racing.
"I want to run it," Cope said. "I want to promote it. It’s a lifelong dream."
Todd Dickenson already leases out the neighboring drag strip.
He plans to put in his own bid for the property, or at least sublease from the winning bidder to continue operating drag races.
"I’m interested in staying at the drag strip," Dickenson said. "That’s kind of a family deal to me and I’d like to keep it going."
State Senator Jack Latvala the plan is a win-win situation for the state.
"[The state] will receive rent until it is used for road construction, and for the community, which will benefit from jobs at the facility and in the collateral auto repair business related to the track," Latvala said.
The racetrack will be leased "as is." That means investment in infrastructure, like lights, grandstands, concessions and a PA system, is necessary.
"It’s a big investment, but worth it," Cope said. "It’s got a big, big county to draw people from. Location, location, location. It’s right here."
For the last few years, the Florida Turnpike Authority has used the racetrack as a toll research and test facility.
That equipment will be moved.
Bidding for the property ends Dec. 19. The track could open for racing as soon as next spring.
Comment