Wednesday, January 27, 2010

WXIA-TV (NBC Atlanta) - Motorsports Park CEO offers freebies to superspeeder violators

Listed below are links to tonight's story. Kudos to Doug Richards and NBC.

Online story - http://http//www.11alive.com/includes/tools/print.aspx?storyid=140187

News clip (which is too funny) - http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?aid=115667&storyid=140187#/Dude%2C+What%3F/Motorsports+Park+CEO+Offers+Freebies+to+Superspeeders/49906865001/50255187001/63752846001

Reader comments from the online story at WXIA's Web site...

"On a different note, if I own a practice/shooting range, can I advertise free range time for people convicted of public discharge of a gun?"

"Maybe Mr. Porter will give these ya-hoos a cell phone so they can be texting while racing around his course."

"There goes the neighborhood. I know people who moved out there to get away from the very thing that will now be in their back yard. Did not enough locals ban together to stop this, or do I smell the taint of political corruption in the mix? I say, follow the money."

"...Fear not,...I'M gonna apply for a pouring licence across the street."

Dawson Communty News: Speeding promotion angers foe of park

Good story below. Some of these quotes are priceless. Love the mulligan approach - now that's great PR counsel.
“We’re just trying to promote a good place for people to drive fast and safe,” he said. ... We’re not going to allow them to get on our track and drive 150 mph into a wall, obviously.”
He should be more worried about one of his customers being injured (or worse) by a known, convicted wreckless motorist. Here's hoping your teenager isn't out there when these clowns are burning up the track in their free t-shirt.

Speeding promotion angers foe of park

Developer says no harm in offer

The wording of a press release from the developer of a controversial motorsports park has at least one Dawson County resident up in arms.

“Giving them a free half-day of driving ... I think that’s irresponsible,” said Sam Horner, who opposes the proposed Atlanta Motorsports Park.

But developer Jeremy Porter said the recent promotional business literature is harmless.
According to a press release, the park offers a discount and free T-shirt if patrons bring their “super speeder ticket to the park.”

The so-called “super speeder” law went into effect Jan. 1 for Georgia drivers who are convicted of traveling 75 mph on any two-lane road or at least 85 mph on any road.

According to the release, the promotional T-shirt includes the words: “I’ve learned my lesson!” on the front, and “AMP is the only safe and fun way to fill the need for speed” on the back.

The park has not been built yet, and it’s at the center of a lawsuit.

That hasn’t calmed Horner.

“[Porter’s] backing people that are driving and showing bad behavior,” he said. “If he were to offer to put these people through driver’s education after receiving their speeding tickets, that would be different. That might make sense.”

Porter defended the press release.

“We’re just trying to promote a good place for people to drive fast and safe,” he said. “ ... We’re not going to allow them to get on our track and drive 150 mph into a wall, obviously.”

Dawson County Sheriff’s Lt. Tony Wooten said the “super speeder” law, which carries an extra $200 fine, is in place because “the greater speed you’re going, the greater chance you have of being killed in an accident or killing someone.”

“It’s an effort to hopefully control that and cut down on the number of deaths we have every year on Georgia roads,” Wooten said.

At the time of publication, the park’s press release did not appear to be on the
company’s Web site.

Porter, however, provided a recent copy of the document to the Dawson Community News, which he said was different from a previous version posted on the site Jan. 16.
He said a miscommunication with the company that handles AMP public relations led to an early, unapproved draft of the press release getting out.
The most recent, approved draft contained some changes. Porter said the old version “sounded like you’re supposed to go out there and speed.”

“We made the changes and sent it back to them,” he said. “They mistakenly posted the old one.”

West and Helen Hamryka, who own a home and horse farm across from the 152-acre car park site in northwestern Dawson, filed a lawsuit against Porter in May 2009 “for the unlawful interference of the [Hamrykas’] right to enjoy the possession of their property and for the disruption of their business.”

A motion to dismiss the lawsuit was denied in November, when a judge ruled the plaintiffs could move forward.

Despite litigation, the developer closed on the property in September, with plans for nearly three miles of high performance road course for two- and four-wheel vehicles, a members-only lounge, 10,000 square-foot clubhouse, pool and hiking trails.

Gainesville Times - ‘Super Speeder’ promotion draws fire

Story listed below MoveAMP's comments.

Call it what you want. It's still a shameless promotion that's trying to capitalize off of wreckless - um, criminal - behavior.

Teen driving programs and law enforcement training - and super speeders

I can see it now... Parents from all over the area are going to feel comfortable sending their kids to this track knowing that convicted super speeders/wreckless motorists will be there to set a fine example. The t-shirts will add a nice touch for the youngsters to see.

Just maybe, the cops-in-training can chase down the super speeders for practice - all while dodging innocent drivers - namely your teens. That'd be pretty interesting to watch.
“What we’re trying to do is get these speeders off the public roadways where they could endanger and hurt others,” he said."
To the fine quote above... And yeah, instead we are going to bring them to our track where they could potentially endanger and hurt paying customers. That sounds logical and like a legal disaster waiting to happen. I would think that you want the safest people around your customers - not wreckless clients. Sounds like a developer/owner that really cares about his clients' safety.

Again, I'm going back to my analogy. Let's say that I open a gun shop and shooting range. Let me find the most wreckeless firearm operators in the state to use my range and facilities.. And risk one of my customer's getting accidently shot.

I could go on for days regarding the screwed up logic here. Am sure there is more to come. Feel free to add your two cents.

‘Super Speeder’ promotion draws fire

Opponents of motorsports park criticize pitch

The CEO of a planned motorsports park in Dawsonville says a promotion offering free half days at the track for people who bring in a “Super Speeder” ticket is not encouraging folks to speed.

Meanwhile, opponents of the Atlanta Motorsports Park, planned for a tract of land off Duck Thurmond Road, say the recently announced Super Speeder promotion is evidence the track’s developers don’t have the community’s best interests at heart.

Earlier this month, the park issued a news release over the Internet offering a T-shirt and a free half day at the track to anyone who brings a Super Speeder ticket to the park.

The park is being promoted as a place where people can bring high-performance cars for runs along a road course. The private facility is designed for participants, not spectators.

“With the new law in effect, AMP looks forward to a likely increase in customers,” the news release stated. The document further stated that the half day and T-shirt were “a nice perk for getting caught by the police for doing what comes naturally.”

Starting this month, Georgia drivers caught going 85 mph on a four-lane road or 75 mph on a two-lane road will be assessed $200 above the normal speeding fines. Fees collected by the new law will help fund Georgia’s trauma-care hospital centers.

Sam Horner, a vocal opponent of the track who lives across the road from the planned site, said the promotion is insensitive and irresponsible.

“To me it just says they’ll try to make money at any cost,” Horner said. “It’s one thing to promote your track, but to offer a reward for criminal behavior, I don’t think that’s right.”

Jeremy Porter, CEO of Atlanta Motorsports Park, said the original news release posted on the Internet was replaced because the authors of the document “made it sound like we encouraged people to speed.”

“By no means would I ever promote people to speed and to get a ticket,” Porter said. “What we’re basically saying is, don’t drive fast, and if you do, we can provide a place to drive fast safely without endangering others.”

Those who present the ticket would get a T-shirt reading “I learned my lesson — AMP is the only place to drive fast and safe,” Porter said.

“What we’re trying to do is get these speeders off the public roadways where they could endanger and hurt others,” he said.

Porter noted that folks ticketed as Super Speeders are looking at paying upward of $500 in fines. A half day at his track would cost less than $200, he said.

“Why would you do something where you would have to pay $400 to $600 when you could come here for the whole day for that?” he said.

Porter said the facility will donate track time for teen driver programs and law enforcement training.

Despite an ongoing lawsuit filed by track opponents challenging the rezoning of the site, Porter anticipates breaking ground for the facility soon. He hopes to have the track portion of the park built by the third quarter of this year.

Porter estimated the facility could have a “ripple effect” of $30 million to $60 million each year on the local economy.

Porter said the park already has sold more than $1 million worth of memberships and drawn interest from several sponsors.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

You stay classy, Porter (see latest AMP achievement)

See below release that Mr. "Good Community Neighbor - as he's stated" (Porter) distributed far and wide.

For starters, I guess that exclusive, racetrack country club sales pitch is false - now that anyone and their brother (who breaks the law, of course) can use the track. And just what Dawsonville needs, convicted wreckless motorists barrelling down county roads - potentially causing accidents or worse.

Maybe they wouldn't mind if a Dawson County resident could open a porn shop in his community (in Forsyth County) and invite convicted sex offenders in for a free movie? Or maybe someone could open a gun shop and invite felons convicted of aggravated assault to pick out a pistol/ammo of their choice.

Furthermore, at a time when Georgia is trying to save our loved ones on state highways, this appears to be nothing more than a cheap PR stunt.

So, we ask Porter - given his "devote faith" - what would Jesus do? He would reward and condone criminally negligent behavior.... NOT!

Staying classy, as usual...
http://www.moviesoundclips.net/movies1/anchorman/classy.wav

PRESS RELEASE FROM AMP

"Super Speeder" Law Increases Atlanta Motorsports Park Success

Super Speeder law in GA thought to increase patronage at AMP

Let's face it: there is nothing more exhilarating than hearing the roar of an engine, being pushed deep into a bucket seat as you take a turn, and "seeing" a blur as you speed down the open road.

Unfortunately, driving your car fast is illegal-especially with the new "Super Speeder" law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. This law adds an additional $200 fine on drivers exceeding 85 mph on any road and 75 mph on any two lane road. Though the government's intentions for this law are to reduce the amount of people speeding on Georgia highways in order to lessen the large amount of medical emergencies and to keep traffic flows steady, there may be an unintentional effect from this law. Drivers have a need for speed, and Atlanta Motorsports Park has the perfect outlet for them.

Jeremy W. Porter, CEO, considers AMP as a place that allows speeders to safely and legally do what they want to do-DRIVE FAST! With speeding tickets increasing in price, drivers are going to look for other venues to push their vehicles to the limit. AMP offers a high-scale environment for unleashing the raw potential of sports cars without any of the pricey legal ramifications of doing so on state roads. With the new law in effect, AMP looks forward to a likely increase in customers.

In fact, AMP has decided that if you bring your super speeder ticket to the park, along with your sports car, then you can get a half day and a t-shirt! Now that's a nice perk for getting caught by the police for doing what comes naturally, huh?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Letter to Mayor Joe Lane Cox

Recently obtained is a copy of a letter (below) that was sent to Mayor Cox and to other city and county officials regarding Jeremy Porter's latest attempt to flaunt the law.... Just another shining example of that good Christian/good neighbor crap that Porter tried to sell at the city council meetings.

Mayor Cox:

Atlanta Motorsports Park and Mr. Jeremy Porter have been for quite some time altering the 154 acres on Duck Thurmond Rd. with heavy equipment. Not seeing a displayed permit, I called the City of Dawsonville on or about 12/22/09 and was informed that AMP had not even applied for a Land Disturbance Permit! I was further told when AMP got their permit it would be posted at the entrance to the property; and yet no displayed permit as of December 28, 2009 @ 7:00 AM.

Everyone should abide by the law! Is Mr. Porter above the law? Is he getting special consideration from the city? Is the City looking the other way? Is there not an on going law suit concerning AMP? Since Sweetwater Creek looked unusually muddy after the rains during the week of Dec. 14th thru 18th and again on Dec. 25th, one might wonder if silt fences are in place. The EPD would certainly require their instillation near Sweetwater Creek in this case. These are just a few questions that concern me as a citizen of Dawson County.

The law is the law and everyone should have to abide by it; no matter whom they are or who they know!

Even though Dawson County doesn’t want to be involved; I say they should at least protect and monitor the county portion of Sweetwater Creek concerning the up stream land disturbance. I would be hopeful that Dawson County wouldn’t have allowed Land Disturbance without a Permit if a similar situation arose in the county.

I hope that my expectations of the City of Dawsonville and Dawson County are not too great.

Thank you for consideration in this matter.

Email circulating the community about AMP

The email that's making the rounds...

Updates on the Motorsports Park legal battle

The Hamryka's lawsuit is now in the discovery phase. Attorneys for Porter, the Elliotts and the City of Dawsonvile must now prepare their cases.

While no land disturbance permit has been issued (according to a city representative), grading has begun in what appears to be a footprint of the actual track.

Google Alerts show quite a bit of recent activity promoting AMP, all fail to mention the legal battle. If you have not already, it may be to your interest to sign up for the Google Alert 'Atlanta Motorsports Park' to keep up-to-date on the info Mr. Porter is putting out while he seeks investors. To sign up for Google Alerts, go to: http://www.google.com/alerts

News from Millville New Jersey and Trackracket

We recently received the following information from Michelle Post, founder of the nonprofit org. Trackracket, dedicated to protecting the rights of residents around the NJMSP track. Michelle informs us Trackracket has filed suit.

Read Trackracket's suit, note the empty promises of jobs and rejuvenation to the area used to sell the project. Sound familiar? (you must download the pdf file to read the legal papers)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/pdf_255cfc46-f42f-11de-8daf-001cc4c03286.html

Write up in the Atlantic City paper: 'TrackRacket sues Motorsports Park, Millville'
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cumberland/article_309f7a02-f42f-11de-a1a4-001cc4c03286.html or access the article via: http://tinyurl.com/ydrn334

If you'll remember, NJ residents were also assured by City authorities and the developer the noise would not be disruptive to the community, however, visiting Trackracket's website, listening to the audio and viewing the decibel meter shows a different story!
Just listen to what 65-75 decibels sounds like 2.5 miles from the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcAeK0yz_Fk&feature=player_embedded

Trackracket's main website: http://trackracket.org/ various videos and sound recordings are available.

Feel free to share these irritating noise links the next time someone tells you "oh, it won't be so bad". It's one thing to enjoy a day of racing when you feel like it, it's entirely another to be trapped on your own land and unable to escape that type of noise.

This park belongs in a vastly different setting where there would be much less noise and environmental impact.

Kudos to Trackracket and their community for taking a united stand!

We will keep you updated on AMP, the lawsuit and any significant news relating to Trackracket's suit.