It’s not so much a surprise as it is gratifying to find out that something in Santa Maria, relatively small Santa Maria, is revered by others throughout the country. Santa Maria-style barbecue is an example, and so is the rodeo. A bit lesser known—but no less important to racing fans—is the Santa Maria Karting Association’s track.
Ranked as one of the top five tracks in California and one of the top 10 in the western United States, the track sits at the end of a runway at the edge of the Santa Maria Airport where it’s been for the last 49 1/2 years.
But the Santa Maria Karting Association got some bad news. In the middle of preparing for the club’s 50th anniversary, members received a letter from the airport telling them that the track would be closed down on Dec. 31.
The Federal Aviation Administration put new security rules in place, and the track is apparently in violation of one of them: It’s too close to the runway to comply with new safety measures.
Now, with December looming ever closer, track members are getting desperate. They haven’t found a new location, and time is running out. If the airport turns them out, some members are worried about what will happen to the club.
“We would have no place to practice, no place to go,” said Kirk Skaufel, assistant secretary of the Santa Maria Karting Association.
A track, as it turns out, is hard to come by. Land is expensive, and go-kart tracks require a lot of space. Then there are the city permits to think of, the noise ordinances, and the land-use designations. At the end of the day, Skaufel said, it would take the Karting Association at least two years to get a new track: one year to find a location and another to build the track.
“Six months is not adequate time,” he said.
In a letter sent to the City Council, Fred Herr, member and webmaster of the Karting Association, told the city that more than 200 families use the track on a regular basis.
“The SMKA club is a wonderful organization, and I know the Santa Maria families who belong to the club, as well as the many Californians who come to Santa Maria annually for the track, would be terribly disappointed if the track was to close rather than be relocated,” Herr said in the letter.
City Manager Tim Ness said that after the city received the letter from the Karting Association, Mayor Larry Lavagnino asked him to look into the situation. Ness said the city had taken an interest and wanted to help out any way that they could.
“We do take a special interest when an organization like that comes directly to the city,” he said.
Ness said he met with the new airport manager, Chris Hastert, on Oct. 23 to discuss the track and options for the future. Hastert was away at a conference at press time, but said in a phone message that he had met with representatives from the Karting Association and they had discussed possibly extending the group's lease if they could find a new location and needed more time to move.
In the meantime, Skaufel said the Karting Association is looking into alternatives, including a particular piece of land near Highway 101 that would require more negotiation. The group would also likely have to wait until the land was incorporated into the city.
Ness suggested that the club look into working with Allan Hancock College and possibly using the driving course the college plans to build at its Lompoc facility.
If Dec. 31 comes and goes without any lease extension, the club could also try to find a vacant parking lot to practice in temporarily, Skaufel said. Club members hope that it won’t come to that, however.
“It is our sincere hope to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary by using the track many past and current SMKA members worked so hard to build,” Herr said in his letter to the council.
INFOBOX: Last chance to race?
On Nov. 16, the Santa Maria Karting Association is hosting a “Save Our Track Race” at the current track. Race organizers say that this may be the club’s last race at the airport location, and they intend to make the most of it.
For a $10 entry fee per class, members and non-members can race against other kart enthusiasts. The fee includes practice on Nov. 15 and the race on Nov. 16. The Karting Association will hold a barbecue dinner on Sunday night.
Available classes include kid kart, Junior 1 Animal, Junior 1 Rookie/Sportsman, Junior 2 World Formula Heavy, Junior 2 Super Sportsman, Senior World Formula, Senior Super Sportsman Heavy, Senior F200 Heavy, and TAG/Shifter. Other classes will be considered if there’s enough interest.
For more information, visit the club’s website at www.smka.org.
Sports Editor Sarah E. Thien has never been anywhere for 49 1/2 years. Contact her at [email protected].
