MO-KAN DRAGWAY UNDER ATTACK


Mo-Kan Dragway is under attack by a wealthy developer from Springfield, MO named Bill Beall. Track operator Carl Blanton received a letter this week from Beall's attorney, Larry Placzek, also of Springfield, which said they have filed a request for a temporary injuction until the case is settled in court. "I understand that if they get that done, the track would be forced to close for some time," according to Carl's post on the Mo-Kan Message Board.

For those who have never been to Mo-Kan Dragway, it's located on a very busy highway between Pittsburg, Kansas and Joplin, Missouri, with semis rolling through at a brisk pace. It's in the middle of farm land, with train tracks nearby. Beall has property with a pond located 2 miles from the track where he apparently baits for geese and ducks. Not very sportsmanlike if you have to bait the fowls in order to shoot them.

Apparently Beall wants to close down the track so that he can "limit the noise pollution". I think it's obvious that a land grab is the ultimate goal of this opportunistic developer who has been there only 5 years, while the track has been there for 38 years.

The farmers in the area don't like the fact that Beall has been buying up land in the area. The idea that a man with money can shut down an ongoing business just because he has power and connections...there is no justice when the wealthy can manipulate the legal system to prey on small business.

Mo-Kan racers tossed off their home track will not be the only losers. Once Mo-Kan is shut down, the impact will be felt by all the surrounding communities. Put back out on the streets, teen cruising will definitely increase, since there will no longer be a safe outlet for racing.

To learn about Bill Beall, check out his web site:
http://www.billbeall.com/history.html

Check out Mo-Kan's Message Board and post your support for Carl Blanton and Mo-Kan Racers in their fight to keep their track open: http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/54006

If you have any advice for Carl Blanton (that's legal), I'm sure he can use it. You can e-mail him directly at amdrag@galstar.com

Thanks and keep your fingers crossed that injustice will not prevail.

Dlorah Lee
editor, American Drag News