Southwick Motocross 338 promoters and management team, left-right, Gary Yelin, Mike Grondahl and Travis Loucks, answer questions from the audience during an informational meeting at the Southwick Town Hall. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Residents and motocross enthusiasts filled the Town Hall auditorium last night for a public forum on Southwick Motocross.
Organizers Mike Grondahl, Gary Yelin and Travis Loucks presented some thoughts on their proposal to run the motocross at American Legion Post 338.
Last year the longtime MX 338 promoters retired and Grondahl, a former racer and founder of Planet Fitness, stepped forward.
“I’m hoping to reopen the track so people get the experience I got,” he said.
A standing room only crowd gathered in the Southwick Town Hall during an informational meeting on the reopening of the Southwick Motocross 338 racetrack. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Grondahl said he first raced in “The Pit” in 1979 and he loved growing up on the famous sand track. He said he formed lifelong friendships there and pointed out that he raced with Yelin and Louks there. The three men joined together to organize a proposal for the track.
The trio is looking to race motocross only but Grondahl acknowledged the popularity of the New England Rugged Maniac 5k obstacle course event held there the past several years, to be held this year on September 27 and 28.
“That’s something the Legion committed to,” he said.
Selectman Joseph Deedy leans over to chat with Selectwoman Tracy Cesan during an informational meeting on the reopening of the Southwick Motocross 338 racetrack. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Speakers at the packed forum largely supported the continuation of the race track.
“I’ve been here 40 years and the track was here before I was,” said resident Jack Sinico. “I think it should stay.”
Several other residents spoke in favor of keeping the track active, prompting Selectwoman Tracy Cesan to clarify the purpose of the meeting and the board’s position.
“We are not here to say we don’t want motocross,” said Cesan. “I personally want motocross – I think it’s a wonderful thing for our community.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox stressed that the town is working together with the group.
“We’re not in an adversarial position,” Fox said.
The permitting of motocross was questioned earlier this year and again this week by resident Marcus Phelps, and there was a question about whether or not the group would be non-profit.
Grondahl said he would make it non-profit.
“I’m not looking to make a dime,” he said.
Southwick resident Russ Pike speaks during an informational meeting on the reopening of the Motocross 338 racetrack at the Southwick Town Hall last night. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Russ Pike, a member of the Legion, said Grondahl is “the right person” to run motocross.
“He has the background and the passion,” said Pike.
Pike said Grondahl is community-minded and made contributions to the Legion which was distributed to the community, including a donation to the Our Community Food Pantry.
Pike then asked why there was a permitting problem when there was motocross running at the track since 1972.
The Board of Selectmen said they want to make sure the permits and the entire process is “done right” and there are property owners abutting the track concerned the track may have encroached on their land over the years.
Some concerns were also raised about noise at the track but most residents said they quickly got used to the noise. Grondahl was asked about the possibility of noise mitigation. He said there was not a lot they could do, short of building a wall around the track.
Yelin said they would be diligent in ensuring motorcycles complied with regulations, which could help keep noise levels down.
