Was looking up a little race track i used to pass everyday on my way to work in Austin, Tx. instead i found this. They are BUILDING a new track…not taking it down! WOW what a concept! lol anyone know about the track i am talking about? it is just outside of austin near bergstrom airport going south on 183. not far from the airport at all. my sister said it is still there but im wondering if its being used.
carolwicks aka OZ
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8/9/04
City council gives green light to superkart race track
Austin-Bergstrom Airport’s facility will supply revenue
By Yvette Owo
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Media Credit: Mark Mulligan
Paul Albini (blue) and Rich Phillips (red) race their superkarts through a parking lot at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the future site of Iron Rock Raceway, a track that will be dedicated to superkart racing.
A superkart racing facility planned for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will provide a new source of revenue for the airport, officials said Saturday.
“The proposal will bring the airport new income of $6,680 per year on previously unused land,” said Jim Halbrook, a spokesman for the airport.
The Austin City Council on Thursday approved the airport’s lease to Iron Rock Raceway in a 4-to-3 vote. Council members Brewster McCracken, Danny Thomas, Betty Dunkerley and Mayor Will Wynn voted in favor of the lease.
“[I’m] uncomfortable with the safety issues,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, who voted against the plan at the meeting. “The combination of 6 year olds and 30 miles per hour bothered me.”
The property used to be an employee parking lot, and before that, a large hanger for the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. The airport continually seeks compatible businesses for the surrounding land and found the racing facility to be a good fit, Halbrook said.
The company also saw the property as a suitable location.
“Austin is good, because geographically, it is central to Houston, San Antonio and Dallas,” said Iron Rock Raceway co-founder Richard Phillips. “We plan for a lot of membership from these cities.”
Because of the facility’s proximity to the airport, there will be few issues about noise control, Phillips said.
There are only two comparable raceways in Texas, one in Denton and another in New Braunfels. The Austin track will be bigger than both of these facilities, he added.
The company must first complete three months of renovation, which will involve constructing a track in place of the parking lot and renovating the clubhouse, estimated to cost $500,000.
The company will continue to make improvements to the facility afterward.
“This is our first track club,” Phillips said. “It is not so much a business but really a way to introduce Austin to what go-karting is all about.”
The company hopes to attract race enthusiasts from as far away as Missouri.
“Top formula car drivers could even begin on and continue to train on this track,” said company co-founder Bill Talley.
The track is scheduled to open in January.