Signal Hill track plans abandoned

CHRIS POOK SCRAPS SIGNAL HILL PLANS FOR TRANSWEST PARK by Robert Heathcote, for SpeedNet (8/7/95)

SIGNAL HILL, Calif. -- SpeedNet -- Residents of Signal Hill have forced Grand Prix promoter Chris Pook to cancel plans to build his $200 million Transwest Park racetrack and automobile development complex here.

Originally announced in July 1994, Transwest Park called for a 1.25-mile oval racetrack, a 110-acre automobile reaserch and development test facility, and a 500-800 room hotel overlooking the track.

According to a story in Friday's Long Beach Telegram, the main concern of residents in the area, located just miles inland from Pook's downtown Long Beach Grand Prix site, was noise levels. Noise was a concern, not only from within the facility, but also from arriving and departing traffic. Opposed residents were concerned what affect traffic and noise would have on local property values.

When told Thursday by Signal Hill officials there would be still months public hearings and studies over noise issues and traffic issues, Pook pulled the plug on Transwest Park.

"Long Beach has been extremely supportive, but Signal Hill has laid land mines ever since we first suggested the project," said an angry Chris Pook Thursday night.

Pook noted he has already begun talks with Long Beach City officials about the possibility of building a similar, larger facility in Long Beach Harbor, possibly on Terminal Island near the Brotherhood Raceway drag strip.

/end --- SpeedNet: Motorsports at the Speed of Thought!