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John Hollenhorst and Randall Jeppesen ReportingCrews are cleaning up at the Miller Sports Park in Tooele County after the first weekend of official racing. Some calling the weekend a huge success. Others are calling it a major pain.
Engines have been roaring for weeks, and at least a few neighbors are angry.
Perhaps it was inevitable that Larry Miller's new racing park would stir up some neighbors.
Now Miller himself has called a town meeting to air out concerns, including what he calls "rumors and misinformation" about his plans.
Motorcyles. Screaming along at close to 200 miles an hour.
Boyd Thomas/ Tooele County Resident: "At times it's almost unbearable. We moved out here to get away from that. I think most people did."
That's one take on the roaring engines that have come to Tooele County. One neighbor about a mile away says she was awakened once at 8 am.
Danna Thomas/ Tooele County Resident: "Even with the TV on you couldn't drown it out. Outside you couldn't stand to be outside. But inside you couldn't get away from it no matter what you did."
But here's another take. Racing fans are flocking to Tooele County. And that means good business at this convenience store.
John Hollenhorst/Eyewitness News: "So, are you happy about the track?"
Lauri Bowers/ Convenience Store Manager: "We are. It'll be nice out here."
A car wash is getting exceptional business from people who want clean machines.
Dave Lawrence/ Car Wash Owner: "Get cars from the racers themselves. Must have had two dozen last week alone."
Concerns about traffic jams don't seem to have materialized. And some neighbors don't seem to mind the noise too much.
Tarvy Gundersen/ Tooele County Resident: "Oh, I can live with it. There's nothing you can do about it anyway. You've got to live with it."
Larry Miller took out a full-page newspaper ad saying he strongly desires to be a good neighbor. He's inviting 200 residents to a town meeting and free dinner.
Dave Lawrence/ Car Wash Owner: "I think the track is an asset for Tooele County. But it needs to be managed to meet the needs of people that aren't associated with racing. Noise is going to be an issue but it can be engineered out."
Danna Thomas: "I think they should move it back to Larry Miller's backyard."
Several people we spoke to suggested more could be done with landscaping, such as trees and sound barriers. Miller's ad says he's looking forward to positive interaction with area residents.
