Developers of a proposed motorcycle- and auto-racing track east of Byers are moving closer to kicking off the project.
The private High Plains Raceway has received zoning approval from Arapahoe County and is approaching its $2.8 million fundraising goal to begin construction.
The project is a venture of Colorado Amateur Motorsports Associates, a coalition of five hobbyist racing groups.
“It’s well past the proposal stage,” said Karl McColl, Colorado regional executive of the Sports Car Club of America, one of the backers. “It has every approval necessary. The only thing in the way is funding, and I think we’re pretty close there, also.”
Bob Alder, manager of the project’s capital campaign, said the group has raised $2.3 million in capital, donations and loan commitments, leaving $500,000 more needed for the basic raceway and possibly an additional $500,000 for optional amenities.
The 2.5-mile track is proposed for a 460-acre site 60 miles east of Denver on U.S. 36.
Backers of the track formerly raced at the Second Creek Raceway in Commerce City, but that facility closed in 2005 because of encroaching development and noise concerns.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@
