After much back and forth and a trip through the local political meat grinder, the previously announced ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross event planned for Jackson, Wyoming, is a “go” afterall, with some concessions from the race circuit and local organizers.
The event — which was announced in August as a part of the ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross schedule — was scheduled to take place December 8-9 at Snow King Mountain Resort, site of the fabulous Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb event in late March or early April every year. From the outside, it seemed like a natural fit. However, for the snocross races, multiple race sleds would be competing at once (and thus making more noise), the racing would stay mostly at the bottom of the hill and much of the competition would happen at night.
All of that — plus the fact that the event was publicly announced before it got their approval — raised the ire of the Jackson Town Council members, who on September 5 rejected the event on a 3-2 vote. Council members cited concerns about noise, crowds, parking, alcohol sales and the potential of bringing a “rowdy crowd” to town in what is normally a quiet time of year for residents.
Rather than turning tail and licking its wounds, however, the snowmobile racing community plus local organizers and supporters of the potential event rallied and asked the town council to reconsider its decision — and that led to last night’s meeting, which was packed with snowmobile advocates, according to a story on buckrail.com.
At last night’s meeting, the event earned the council’s approval on a 3-1 vote, with one council member changing her vote and the mayor (who had previously voted no) not in attendance at the meeting. The new support came after ISOC President Carl Schubitzke flew to Jackson to attend the meeting and made concession in key areas of concern for the council, according to the Buckrail story. They include (1) earlier closing times each night; (2) limited hours for the beer tent; (3) cancellation of the planned fireworks show; (4) a larger donation to a local charity; and (5) paying to play streets it would need closed during the event.
