At local short tracks all across America, there are many unique and privileged relationships that are formed that bears trust, loyalty and dedication in the communities they serve.
The impacts of local short track racing when there’s a strong market provides family entertainment to its citizens and a sport with the lust for speed for its local race teams. A well managed, properly promoted local short track provides sponsorship opportunities for local area businesses that reaches out to potential customers who share the same love and support for racing. These opportunities are evident as fans in return support local area businesses and making local economies thrive in and around its cities.
One city that recognizes the impacts and benefits of a local short track is the City of Hampton Virginia where Langley Speedway has taken deep root. This year, the speedway is anticipated to open to its 66th consecutive year of operation and racing. But the upcoming race season has hit some unfortunate obstacles that at one point seemed that there would be no racing at all at Langley Speedway. While the issues are still a work in progress, word has come down now that track President Bill Mullis has gone on record announcing that he has partnered with a group that fully intends to buy the property that the track sits on today. For several seasons, Mullis has leased the property and kept the track gates open but this year, the current property land owner refused to lease Mullis another year. Thus forcing Mullis’ hand to buy the land which was being sold well over its fair market value as assessed by the city of Hampton, Virginia.
In recent weeks and as mentioned before, much progress has been made as Mullis vision to secure a long term deal is now seemingly coming together. The support from its race teams, the support from its fans, the support of local area business’s has certainly been instrumental for Langley Speedway. While there is still ongoing speculation, further details into the particulars such as an earlier reported start date was not confirmed by Mullis but stated that he and his group are giving it there best shot for the upcoming 2016 race season. With that said, there’s every reason to be optimistic and one public figure feeling optimistic as well is city Councilman Bill Hobbs of the City of Hampton Virginia. RACE22.com had the unique privilege in talking one on one about the relationship that the city enjoys and how important to the community, Langley Speedway is.
Race22.com: Councilman, just how important is Langley Speedway to the city of Hampton and its respected community?
Councilman Hobbs: Many of my colleagues on the Council have said the same thing over and over again, Langley Speedway is one of the only two professional sports venues we have in the city. The way Langley operates and the benefits the citizens get from the speedway. We all consider them as the jewel and the crown of the City of Hampton. We think a lot of them, they bring much to the table, they have done some great things out there. They’re helping kids, they’re helping the community and theyre giving people a constructive place to go out there and race in a structured environment that is controlled as a race can be. Everyone has a good time, it’s a family atmosphere and that’s what its all about.
Race22.com: Though there’s encouraging news of a 2016 race season, what would be some of the impacts if the Speedway remains closed?
Councilman Hobbs: You know, I don’t even want to think about that because were not going to allow that to happen. I’d say that the racing community would suffer, there would be a morale problem within the community, you know my children grew up out there. I turned a few wrenches out there in my day, not very well probably but I did OK. A lot of my lifelong friends are out there and I don’t want to disappoint them and neither does the others on the city council.
Race22.com: Going forward and well beyond, can Langley Speedway count on the support from its proud city and its wonderful community?
Councilman Hobbs: Absolutely, we’ve committed ourselves that as long as they want to race and do things the right way. That they just take care of the citizens of the city of Hampton and the racing community, were going to continue to support them. It all started back in 2010 with the Hampton Heat race, we liked what goes on out there. Maybe you’ve noticed but politicians are showing up at that race track because they understand how important that population is out there. They understand that this is middle America, that these are the blue collar guys like you and I that go to work everyday. That this is our activity on a Saturday night, we bring our families out there and just spend time together. I just don’t ever see that relationship going away, not on my watch.
The Councilman also shared that it was a unanimous decision across the board, that they all agreed that they would do whatever they had to do, whether it would be Mullis or someone else in charge. As long as they keep taking care of the people out at Langley Speedway, the city will always honor their commitment and Hobbs says that the city has stepped up in a large way.
Councilman Hobbs also shared with RACE22 that the paperwork involved in the deal is in the hands of the city and everyone is determined to get a deal done. While the moment was brief, Hobbs also foresees an official announcement by the end of the month, but it could potentially come sooner just as all the paperwork is in place so that when its announced, it will be the truth and that they can back it up.
