Having run the first of  two scheduled events, the newly established Yerington motocross park is stirring some angst amongst neighboring residents.

Adjacent to, but outside the existing Yerington Fairgrounds arena, the park is located on approximately 16 acres, about 200 yards from residential properties in the Cottonwood Lane area.  The dirt track itself is about one mile in length.

The Lyon County Commissioners on September 3, 2009 unanimously approved a contract with Mustang Motoplex owner Shayne Kisman for two events.  The first was held September 19-20, with the next one scheduled for November 7-8, 2009.

Fair Board member Kris Holman told the commission there would be two events this year, with the future potential for four events a year.  They are to be held during daylight hours.

During discussion on September 3, Cottonwood Lane resident Mike Hagen requested the commission deny the contract, noting potential problems to neighboring residences – including camping and increased traffic.

In a recent interview with NewsDesk, Hagan expanded on his criticism of the location.

“The residents have no problem with events that take place inside the arena, including motocross racing.  Motoplex held a race in the arena early in September with no complaints from local residents,” he said.  “The new track is out in the open.  The noise from the first race was horrific.  We heard complaints from residents living on the east side of Yerington proper, about a mile away.  Imagine what it was like on Cottonwood Lane.”

Hagan also said the attendees of the September 19-20 event “spent Saturday night partying and shooting off (illegal) fireworks while they were camped within a stone’s throw of a half-dozen residences; and, despite appeals from the track announcer, riders zoomed along the chain link fence separating our properties from the fairgrounds during the day, adding to the noise and the dust.”

Hagan said he feels the Fair Board has not been totally forthcoming in regards to the motocross project.

“One reason there were no complaints from residents prior to the event was that few people besides the Fair Board and the Promoter knew any details of the project,” he claimed.  “The Lyon County website link to the Fair Board brings up a blank page.  Why should it be so hard to find out who is on the Fair Board, how to contact them and what their agenda is?”

Another Cottonwood Lane resident, Gary Adams, said a visit with the Motoplex promoter during the September 19 event led him to believe there would be eight two-day events per year in addition to eight “customer appreciation” events.   Including track preparation time, he totaled up 48 days of activity that would be disruptive to the rural neighborhood.

Aside from the noise, other complaints and concerns include considerable dust and smelly fumes during races and track preparation; and, loss of property values of those homes located near the facility.

Commissioners Phyllis Hunewill and Chuck Roberts both said they have received no calls of complaint.  Roberts was unaware of any problems or concerns until approached by NewsDesk. 

“I voted in support of the events at the recommendation of the Fair Board.  If the Fair Board had not given it a ‘thumbs up’, I may have voted differently.  If I am proven wrong, I am willing to reconsider,” he noted.

Hunewill said she had not kept up with the events, considering it a Fair Board matter.  Her only knowledge of problems was what she had read in the local newspaper.

Hunewill told NewsDesk that she understood the contract was for only two events, “So it could be evaluated then and see what kind of problems might arise.  Now would be the time to ask the commission to hear their concerns before extending another contract to the operator.”

County Manager Dennis Stark also said he was unaware of any complaints coming through his office.

Hagan noted that many of the residents in the neighborhood enjoy motor sports and own their own dirt bikes or quads, including their own adult son.  They are simply asking that a more suitable site be found.

“With all the great places around here to put a track, why did they build it here?  I have been told Washoe County is considering a plan to restrict off-road vehicle riding within 1,000 feet of residences,” he said.  “We support the building of a motocross track in a suitable location, not next to established residences.”