Council lashed over stock car 'ban'

I am astounded by the actions of our “elected” representatives, as unless I’ve been in a time warp recently our small country has been and still is in a recession. Viable businesses are closing almost weekly!

Jobs are becoming increasingly rare and yet the powers that exist within Ballymena Borough Council find it responsible to close one of the attractions that bring “outside “money to our struggling businesses.

There are a few things the councillors may not have taken into consideration whilst making this incredible decision:

* Ballymena town is the only one on the island of Ireland to have a racetrack within the town centre. Which begs the question, why does Ballymena not promote this as an asset to the town? This after all is unique to Ballymena and is something that should be promoted through the Tourist Board as it is primarily a spring/summer activity.

* Football supporters have argued in the past that the stockcar racing has a negative effect on their sport, (pitch damage etc). The damage to pitches etc has been minimal in recent years costing very little to repair. When everything is considered, the Stockcar racing brings more to Ballymena than BUFC can.

* “Money” the Stockcar promotion pays Ballymena borough council for a lease for the track and a rental payment on a meeting basis. There is also income to the council from “hot food “vendors’ licence payments.

Ballymena united fc however do not pay rent to Ballymena borough council.

* Ballymena raceway attracts both Racers and fans from all over Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales & a few from as far away as Holland on a regular basis. These racers and fans alike bring much needed money into our local businesses, such as B&B, restaurants, bars and takeaways.

* Ballymena raceway has “showcased” several “World Champions” through motorsport in the last decades something that Ballymena United would have difficulty surpassing.* The most important issue involving this decision is.. If Ballymena raceway is indeed finished then Ballymena Borough Council loses an important source of income! As a business owner and employer does this mean I can look forward to increased rates in coming years as our Council realises the effect of its decision to close an established profit making business that contributes to their coffers!

Finally, is it not time that our Council embraced the stockcar racing in our town?

With the correct support and management it could bring new streams of income from travel & tourism.

Let’s stop finding fault with the racing and begin looking for the positives that can come from having the best Oval Racing Circuit in Ireland

Yours, Concerned Business Owner (Name and address withheld).