Epping selectmen black flag race track test spin

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I went through reading the comments about the Star Sppedway and its owner. I live in Epping and I have to say the comments about "the new powers that be"-- well people here in Epping should be grateful as well as the owner of star. One of our newer selectman proposed that once the owner completely satisfies the original $10,000 debt owed he could come in and they would discuss the reduction of the penalties owed, and the rest of the selectman agreed. He just needs to pay the money he owes and keep his bills current. If it were anyone else they would have been shut down but this town has given him break after break that regular citizens with their own businesses would not have been afforded. So the comments about Epping not wanting the star here-- ridiculous. Many businesses rely on his business for business of their own and "the new powers that be" acknowledged that long ago.
- Grace, Epping NH

I agree that the owner should pay up but we, the race fans, are the ones who suffer in the long run. I have been going there for years and even before Bob MacArthur ran it Bob Webber went through the same issues. I have heard many times the town of Epping wants the track closed. From a loyal race fan, I hope this all works out and we open on time.
- nancy, manchester, nh

While it appears that Mr. McArthur has some less than desirable business practices, I'm not sure it's in the town's best interest to continue this fight. I fail to understand how that pile of tires has any negative effect or presents any safety issue at the speedway. I'd say what we're looking at here is this: 1) the Code Enforcement Officer and several members of Epping's select board are anti-racing. They're not fans, so they have no interest in working with the owner. That attitude is what will keep Epping the small, economically-stagnant town it has always been. Work out something on his bill; let him store the tires in a trailer (if you're that hung up on them) and wish him a great season. Then go find somebody else to hassle that is actually hurting the town as opposed to drawing fans who spend money at area businesses.
- Phil, Auburn, Maine

That last thing I want to see is another race track shut down. But, in this case it sounds like the track owner is not acting in a responsible manor. Sometimes short track owners are their own worse enemy. His belligerent attitude is going to hurt the drivers, fans, the town and himself.
I hope his attorney gives him some good advice, like “clean up your track and your finances”.
- chris brink, Penn Run, PA

Bill?? The reason here is....$25,000.00 of which $10,000.00 was owed for police details that came out of the taxpayers pockets. Would you let this guy borrow $10,000.00 from you to pay for last years bills that this guy claims he could not pay and front him another $10,000.00 for this years bills just in case he can't pay them? That's "the reason here" and nothing to do with the fire dept. or the selectmen....
- Joe, Epping

I am a racer and would hate to see the track close. I don't think the selectmen want that either. It would devalue the track and in turn reduce the property taxes it would pay the town. The pile of tires is unacceptable and needs to be removed. It appears that the selectmen are working with MacArthur regarding the police detail payment. Owning a race track now is a tough business.
I don't understand why the track can't hold practices. The racers are in the open pit area and do not go in the grandstand area. Why is there a fire danger? Is the race track going to catch on fire? I know from experience in Manchester that a fire inspector who is full of himself will magnify problems in order to nail someone. They will also lie in order to protect themselves afterwards. I don't know the details but I hope that isn't the case here. It isn't like the spectators are in an enclosed building like a night club. They have several escape avenues and I never considered Star to be a fire hazard. There has to be some reason here.
- Bill, Manchester

I don't consider owing the town $25000 a nitpicking matter. and the pile of tires becomes the town's responsibilty if the track closes and it's still sitting there. This guy needs to clean up his act or be shut down period.
- Brian, Farmington

Isn't his nickname "Show Stopper" or something like that? Maybe he could sell his custom ford F650 to pay the town what he owes.

I would hate to see the track close and it does look like he has made a lot of improvements, BUT that doesn't give him a license to operate his business as he see's fit. I know if I operated my business like him I would be out of business. He needs to remember that if the track fails there wont be anyone lining up to buy it. History already shows that.
- Steve, North Shore, MA

I totally agree with Tim from Epping. Does this person who runs this race track really think the resident's of this town should be financing his business? Oh, he'll say he doesn't but look at the bills he still owes. And those of you who think the town should just let him open, most likely are not from Epping or I'm sure you would all be thinking differently. What he owes to the town has been paid by the taxpayers of Epping, would you like to have to pay for his oversights? Look at the dragway and how great they run their business. They don't even charge the resident's of Epping to attend their facility...now that's good business. This person has been told over and over again what's expected of him and he chooses to look the other way, so shame on him and not on the Town!!
- Joe, Epping

It's obvious that anyone that sides with MacArthur is probably a race car driver maybe even associated with him or the track. To say the town is just trying to get rid of Star is ludicrous. The town, and the TAX! payers are sick and tired of supporting this guy, and yes I am a tax payer in the town. They have Mr. MacArthur more than ample time time fix the problems, but he has chosen to try , and beat the system. I think it is funny that MacArthur says he will be bringing his attorney in with him the next time. Go ahead bring him in bring Johnny Cochran in if he was still alive, but the bottom is "if the track isn't fit, you must pay for it" Mr. MacArthur is the one who has jepordized the safety of his drivers, and the fans alike not the town!!!
- Tim, Epping

"Learn the track" ?
Go straight, turn left, go straight, turn left.
Lesson over - what's next?
- Scott Dearborn, Nottingham

I don't understand why they won't let the racers practice? The purpose of practice is for the racers to learn the track and how the cars respond....for SAFETY PURPOSES! I guess the town selectmen don't care about these people's safety. There is nothing in the article that specifically states the track is otherwise unsafe to race to on.
- JRJ, Candia, NH

It is obvious the powers that be in Epping just want the speedway to go away. Someone new is running the place, and yet the selectmen keep nitpicking every little thing they can. I somehow doubt Wal-Mart and Lowe's get the same amount of scrutiny as the track.
- Joe, Manchester