Las Cruces Sun-News

April 17, 2008

Sierra County racetrack gets green flag


Steve Ramirez/Sun-News reporter

For an overview of the racetrack project, including a map of its location, click here. LAS CRUCES - A 7,388-acre land exchange has been completed between the New Mexico State Land Office and a Tampa, Fla., developer who wants to bring NASCAR to Truth or Consequences.

State Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons said Thursday the deal will allow Hot Springs Motorplex Development Properties, a limited liability company based in Tampa, to create a "premier commercial and industrial zone" in Sierra County, and establish the motorsport industry in New Mexico.

"By transferring these lands we are able to further spur economic development in both Sierra and Doña Ana counties, create jobs, increase the tax bases of every community in the region, and at the same time earn revenue for public education," Lyons said.

According to the exchange agreement, Hot Springs Motorplex will acquire state trust land along Interstate 25 near the Truth or Consequences airport. The land's appraised value is slightly more than $2.5 million, according to the State Land Office.

In exchange, the land office will get 9,228 acres near Tatum, valued at $1.7 million, and $813,524 in cash. The exchange adds 1,840 acres of trust land and helps consolidate surface and mineral lands, which is vital to land management goals, Lyons said.

Proceeds from the exchange will go to help fund public schools in the state.

Greg Neal, managing partner of Hot Springs Land Development, did not return telephone messages left Thursday at his office and on his cellular telephone. However, Neal has proposed to NASCAR officials that it would be well-served to have a logistics and distribution center in the West, specifically in Truth or Consequences, to support existing races and planned expansion of the sport beyond its historical boundaries of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Also, Roush Racing and Industries has apparently expressed interest in opening a racing school and designing track facilities, garages, shops, and supporting infrastructure. Joyce Caron Mercier, spokeswoman for Roush Fenway Racing Inc., in Concord, N.C., also did not return telephone messages left Thursday at her office and on her cell phone.

Roush Racing, a division of Roush Industries, is one of NASCAR's premiere racing teams.

"I've always thought that having a NASCAR event in New Mexico would be perfect," said Dolly Jordan, a Las Cruces secretary who considers herself a big fan of auto racing. "NASCAR already has events in Phoenix and Dallas, and something in between would be incredible. Having something like this, so close in T or C, has a chance to really get a lot more people interested in NASCAR and auto racing."

The motorplex development would include several miles of recreational and competitive road courses, an off-road complex and a drag strip. The multiple-use development would also include a resort hotel, an aviation park and as many as 4,000 housing units across 2,400 acres.

"This could very easily mean more business for Doña Ana County, especially since it's adjacent to Sierra County," said Kristin Hasse, assistant commissioner of communications for the State Land Office. "This project will have a tremendous impact overall on all of communities near Truth or Consequences.

"...This has been a fun project for us that has been two years in the making. It's a good day for the whole state."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Hot Springs Motorplex

12 square miles will be developed and will include: