Thunder Valley Races temporarily extended to midnight

The next four races at Thunder Valley will be allowed to continue past the 11 p.m. cutoff time mandated by the city’s noise ordinance.

The decision was made during the Monday, July 9, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

The request was made by track representative Steve Leonard, who said a recent race ran past 11 p.m. because the start was delayed by a wet track that caused safety concerns. Leonard said a police officer notified him the race couldn’t continue due to the noise ordinance restriction.

At that point in the evening’s slate of races, Leonard said three races remained. He estimated attendance to be about 650 people with more than 70 cars racing.

Last August, the council had approved a time extension for a race set to run in September. During the July 9 meeting, Ryan Bower, the city’s attorney, explained that Leonard will have to request a waiver each season.

Leonard said races start at 7 p.m. when temperatures begin to cool. He’s concerned an earlier start time could lead to empty bleachers since the sun wouldn’t have set yet, making the aluminum bleachers hot. Also, some racers come to the track directly from work and can’t get to the track earlier.

Although the aim is to finish racing by 11 p.m., if the evening sees more cars racing and has unexpected delays – like the one caused by the wet track – Leonard said races might continue past 11 p.m.

The council was assured no races would continue past midnight if an extension were granted.

Council members granted an extension for races running on July 21 and 27 as well as Aug. 4 and 11. The council will consider granting an extension for the rest of the season during its meeting on Monday, Aug. 13.