Car racing is set to restart this summer at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds speedway.
Julian Garcia is expected to sign a lease with the county to operate the racetrack, according to County Administrator Shak Powers.
The commissioners were informed this week of the five month lease, which runs April 20 to Sept. 20 for a charge of $6,250. Garcia intends to present his plans and race schedule to the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners at an upcoming meeting.
A provision of the contract requires that when the track is used by another renter within the lease period – such as the demolition derby – it cannot interfere with Garcia’s operation and must be restored to previous racetrack conditions.
The racetrack will not operate on the days of larger fairground events. The blackout dates are May 7 for the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde bike race, June 8-12 for the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo, July 29-Aug. 6 for the Montezuma County Fair, and Sept, 2-5 for the high school rodeos.
According to the contract, Garcia is responsible for racetrack maintenance and upgrades.
The county owns the racetrack and may lease it to a business, which is responsible for upkeep and improvements.
The county charges a flat fee of $15,000 to rent the track for one year, or $1,250 per month, prorated for blackout dates.
The previous racetrack promoter, Gene Felker, ran races for three years but dropped out at the end of 2021 because of a dispute with the county over track conditions and who should pay for upgrades.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
