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Speedway council approves Formula Drift street showcase and B&O Ultra Marathon permits
Summary
The Speedway Town Council approved a Formula Drift 'Type S Night Lights' car showcase for July 29 and a B & O Ultra Marathon for Oct. 10, with organizers and staff outlining safety, parking and business-support plans. Council also approved a paid announcer for high-school football broadcasts.
The Speedway Town Council on Tuesday approved two special-event permits intended to draw visitors downtown and support local businesses.
Carolyn Hubbard, a representative of PRI/Performance Racing Industry, told the council the Type S 'Night Lights' showcase — scheduled for Main Street on July 29, the night before the Formula Drift event at Lucas Oil Raceway — is a controlled, static car-display event. "This is not a racing or drifting event," Hubbard said, adding that vehicles would remain parked, rules of engagement would be enforced and hired professional security would be used. Hubbard said the group expects the event to bring visitors from within a roughly five-hour radius and estimated attendance could reach as many as 10,000 people.
Staff said they had held a pre-meeting with police, parks and economic development and that organizers had adjusted the application to prioritize Main Street businesses for food and beverage service rather than an influx of food trucks. "Once it's approved, then we take it back to the businesses to give them plenty of heads up," communications staff Cheryl McElroy said, noting plans to use SRC and other lots for overflow parking.
Joe Whipple of Stay Obsessed described a proposed B & O Ultra Marathon for Oct. 10 that would include a 5K, 10K, 25K and a 50K option. Whipple said the race would start at about 7 a.m. with a 4 p.m. cutoff for the ultra, and organizers plan volunteer marshals, aid stations on trail offshoots, port-a-potties near Daredevil Brewery and police staffing at the Main Street crossing. "We're just barely dipping our toe into the world of ultras," Whipple said, explaining the route and turnaround logistics.
The council discussed trail-sharing logistics, parking needs and the use of volunteers versus sworn officers for crossings; police staff recommended officers at key crossings. After discussion, the council approved both special-event permits by voice votes recorded as 4-0.
Also on the agenda, the council approved a talent agreement to pay Langdon Kleindorfer up to $510 for play-by-play announcing of Speedway High School football games; Brian Pierce said sponsorship revenue has helped offset audio/production costs.
The votes clear the events to move forward subject to the permits' operational requirements and any follow-up coordination with town staff. The council will receive any required updates in subsequent administrative meetings.
