Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act shields circuits from NIMBY claims
With noise complaints on the rise globally, Kansas has introduced a law designed to secure the future of its race tracks.
The US state of Kansas is pushing back against NIMBY neighbours, passing new legislation aimed squarely at protecting its race tracks.
The Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act does what the name suggests, by shielding established motorsport venues from civil lawsuits over noise and traffic – provided the circuit was there before nearby residents moved in.
The argument is that if you choose to buy or build next to an existing track, you can’t then turn around and complain about the noise it makes once you have moved in.
NIMBY (short for “Not In My Back Yard”) is hardly a US-only issue. It’s just as familiar in the UK, and Kansas’ move shows the problem isn’t going away. According to Forbes, the new law could cover around 20 venues across the state, blocking claims from anyone who moved within a five-mile radius after those tracks were already established.
There are limits to the bill, though, such as the protection not applying if a circuit is seen to have breached its operating conditions – for example, running outside permitted hours, or if it hasn’t hosted a competitive race in the four years before neighbouring properties were built.
Even some of America’s best-known tracks aren’t immune. Laguna Seca has faced ongoing disputes with local residents over noise. Legislation like this doesn’t just preserve the racing heritage, it recognises the economic value these venues bring through jobs, tourism and events.
Back in the UK, it’s a familiar story. Brands Hatch has been dealing with neighbour complaints for years, leading to restrictions on its GP circuit, the section closest to surrounding homes. That means race and track days using the famous GP layout are highly restricted.
Donington Park could be next. With around 4,500 new homes planned nearby, the same pattern could be set to repeat.
If the UK government took a similar approach to Kansas, the long-term future of some of its most established motorsport venues might look a lot more secure.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com
In This Article
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
