JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The AMSOIL/International Series of Champions (ISOC) snocross race scheduled for Jackson, December 8-9 was shot down by the town council at its last meeting. But the event is far from dead on arrival.
Buckrail has learned at least one council member has been approached by race promoters unhappy with the decision to deny the event at the base of Snow King. In a 3-2 decision, councilors Jim Stanford and Hailey Morton Levinson stood opposed along with Mayor Pete Muldoon. Councilmen Don Frank and Bob Lenz voted to approve the event.
The snowmobile race would be part of an eight-race series across the US that is televised by CBS. It is expected to bring about 5,000 people to Jackson Hole (an estimated 2,500 attending each day’s event).
The event was brought forth by Snow King, Central Reservations, and the TTB. The TTB would fund the event to the tune of $85,000. Snow King would use $65,000 to pay the promoter’s fee for the event. The rest would go toward marketing and mitigation.
Proponents of the event say it would bring revenue and exposure to the community—especially at a slower time of the year, before the winter ski season really takes hold. It is exactly the kind of promotion the Travel & Tourism Board (TTB) has been tasked with finding and funding in order to build up our shoulder seasons, said Frank.
Race promoters and participators say the event is first-class and extremely organized. The athletes participating are some of the top professional riders in the country and the event is co-sponsored by the United States Air Force.
Opposition to the event has taken multiple forms. First, it didn’t help that representatives of Snow King (the event’s proposed host) took up the cause. GM Ryan Stanley, who presented the race to town leaders, is already embroiled in a much-scrutinized process of expanding the ski resort, and seeking permission from town and Forest Service to move forward with aggressive build out plans.
Also, as one commissioner pointed out, it was rather presumptuous of Snow King to consider the weekend race a done deal. The event was being publicized by ISOC and AMSOIL, tickets were being sold online, and CBS Sports has scheduled the event for airing. All this before the event went to town officials for approval.
Amongst the three dissenting town electeds, there was disquiet for holding an additional loud (up to 10-12 sleds race simultaneously at a given time), late (races are scheduled to end at 10:10pm) event in a residential neighborhood. Parks & Rec is concerned for the turf underneath the snow (the racetrack would be built at the base of Snow King, mainly in Phil Baux Park and ballfield area). Twelve-hour beer sales resulting in unruly behavior requiring extra police presence has also been cited as a worry.
Even Lenz, who wanted to see the event take place, had concerns for beer and brap extending so late into the night.
Morton Levinson was one councilor uneasy with the message being sent by an event that appears to be incongruent with a ‘green’ and sustainable message of ecological stewardship promoted by the town and county.
Stanford also expressed some general heartburn over an event that would make money for a private enterprise (Snow King) while using town-owned land being leased to Snow King for a pittance ($100/year). The arrangement would not be allowed without the participation of a nonprofit, which was secured by Snow King when it agreed to pay $1 of every $20 ticket sold to the Doug Coombs Foundation. Stanford also suggested the town “needed a break” from a constant stream of tourist events.
The mayor said, “the costs simply outweigh the benefits,” in denying the application two weeks ago. He also added that he didn’t exactly hear the public clamoring for more motocross-type events in Jackson.
He’s heard it now.
Backlash blizzard
The snowmobile community responded early, often, and loudly since the news of the race cancellation. For a brief moment, sledheads put away their perpetual infighting brand feud as Polaris and Artic Kat backers united to accuse the council of discrimination.
Councilman Frank cracked open that door when he suggested to his peers they watch their “mischaracterization” and “antagonistic attitude” toward the fueled-up racing world. He felt it “bordered on discrimination.”
In fact, a contingent of event backers and local businesspeople has reportedly retained legal counsel and is considering suing the town if it comes to that. They believe the snowmachine event is being singled out when concerts, rodeos, Hillclimb, and other events are allowed to take place in downtown Jackson.
To overturn last meeting’s decision, a councilmember would have to ask for a “reconsideration” before the minutes of the last meeting are read into record. It is essentially a chance for a redo by an elected official upon learning of a crucial fact not presented in the original application.
Race promoters are reportedly willing to curtail the event’s hours so it will end earlier. Numerous emails were also received by town leaders ranging from support of the event to chastising elected officials for recent “unpopular” decisions and actions. Elected leaders also received correspondence thanking them for the “courage” to say no to an event that would further the community’s sellout to tourism.
