ONAWA, Iowa (AP) - Drag racing has begun at a former western Iowa airport following the site’s $2 million transformation.
Nearly 200 racers and 600 spectators gathered at the Onawa Racing and Events Complex last weekend for its opening, the Sioux City Journal reported . The city closed the seldom-used Onawa Municipal Airport two years ago and transformed it into a racing complex.
“We drew races from four to five states,” said Phil Schroder, of the OREC. “We had people staying in campers out here, people staying in local motel.”
The new facility’s concrete strip can host races of 1,000 feet (300 meters), one-eighth mile (200 meters) and one-quarter mile (400 meters). A $400,000 event center is equipped to run the facility’s concessions and will soon host other events, such as concerts and reunions.
Schroder said the complex will eventually pay up to $60,000 in property taxes. The facility is also bringing more people to town, which should increase the area’s sales tax revenue, he said.
Junior drag racers are welcome this weekend and the facility will host old-style drag races, where cars have flag starts, said Ron Conner, the site’s racing manager.
Races on Saturday and Sunday will also include a testing portion, where racers can run the track multiple times to get calibrated.
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Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
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