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Portage Board approves monthly Wiener Wagon Racing car shows, requires legal review of proposed 'burnout pit'
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Summary
The Portage Board of Works approved monthly Wiener Wagon Racing car shows in the grassy area in front of the Portage Mall, but required staff and legal review of a proposed 60‑second ‘‘burnout pit’’ and liability waivers before events proceed.
The Portage Board of Works voted to approve a series of monthly Wiener Wagon Racing car shows in the grassy area in front of the Portage Mall, contingent on staff and legal review of safety and liability paperwork for a proposed ‘‘burnout pit.’’
Jacob, an event organizer who spoke to the board, said the shows would be free to enter and that funds collected from vendors and raffles ‘‘are going to be donated…to something in Portage, whether it be to pay off the school lunch debt for kids’’ or to support special‑education needs. ‘‘We’re just gonna have a donation booth set up’’ and vendor fees would supply most of the donations, he said.
Board members and staff pressed organizers for details about the planned burnout activity and safety measures. The organizer described a cordoned‑off asphalt area using Jersey barriers and said participants would be allowed a single burnout ‘‘for up to 60 seconds’’ before moving on; organizers said they would require driver waivers and work with a local attorney to shift liability to participants.
A staff member told the board any approval should be ‘‘subject to staff and legal review’’ to verify insurance, public‑safety oversight and whether the activity would invoke state fire marshal rules or require a noise‑ordinance waiver. The board’s police and fire chiefs signaled they would review operational impacts and safety requirements before final authorization.
Committee member (name not specified) moved to approve the events ‘‘contingent upon legal review of the burnout pit and coordination with the city,’’ a motion that was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The board directed staff to finalize indemnification language, confirm required fire‑safety equipment and, if needed, seek separate waivers for noise or other exceptions.
Organizers said they envision the events running May through September on a Saturday each month and emphasized that their goal is charitable fundraising, not profit. The board’s conditional approval means the events can proceed only after staff and legal sign‑offs on safety, insurance and coordination with city operations.
