Vanderbilt Cup Races

Yesterday, the Riverhead Town Board cancelled the Riverhead Resorts "Ski Mountain" project. Details are below with an opportunity to vote for a motorsports complex for the property.

News

Wall Street Journal, November 12, 2010: NY town cancels $2.2B resort with indoor skiing

Town leaders on Friday canceled plans for a sprawling $2.2 billion resort with an indoor ski mountain on the site of a former defense plant, saying its Scottish developer had failed to keep up with payments for the property.

"Today, we bury the Riverhead Resorts transaction once and for all," Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said in a statement. "I think most all of us found this ambitious dream a bit much to fathom."

The town board voted 4-1 to cancel the deal to sell 750 acres of land at the site of a former Grumman defense plant in Calverton, a hamlet bordering the town, on eastern Long Island. The decision came after the developer failed to deliver on a promised $3.9 million payment last week, Walter said.

Newsday, November 12,2010: Riverhead town board cancels resort contract

After years of problems with the massive Riverhead Resorts project in Calverton, the Riverhead Town Board voted Friday to terminate its contract to sell the firm 755 acres of town-owned land. Riverhead Resorts had proposed creating a $1-billion resort, complete with an indoor ski slope, water park, hotel and equestrian and conference centers. The firm bid $155 million in 2007, but renegotiated the price to $100 million as the economy slowed.

The Town of Riverhead has said that it is officially killing the ski mountain project slated for EPCAL at Calverton, even though Riverhead Resorts says it has come up with money to keep the project alive. Riverhead Town Supervisor claims he will “send it back” if they wire the money over. So, what next? The EPCAL land is zoned for economic development use, meaning it can’t be turned into a parking lot, potato farm or open space. If not a ski mountain, then what? Vote and sound off below.

Poll: Long Island Business News, November 11, 2010: Ski Mountain Meltdown

The Town of Riverhead has said that it is officially killing the ski mountain project slated for EPCAL at Calverton, even though Riverhead Resorts says it has come up with money to keep the project alive. Riverhead Town Supervisor claims he will “send it back” if they wire the money over. So, what next? The EPCAL land is zoned for economic development use, meaning it can’t be turned into a parking lot, potato farm or open space. If not a ski mountain, then what? Vote and sound off below.

Current Results: 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 13, 2010

With the ski mountain project all but dead, what should Riverhead do with the EPCAL land?

Build a motorsports complex (73%, 516 Votes)

Build a casino (8%, 58 Votes)

Open Disney World Long Island (6%, 44 Votes)

Create a sports complex with a new home for the Islanders (8%, 25 Votes)

Turn it into an airport (3%, 22 Votes)

Build an equestrian complex (2%, 16 Votes)

Open another mall (0%, 1 Vote)

Total Voters: 687

Statement of Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter terminating the Riverhead Resorts contract

Newsday, November 11, 2010: Bay Shore home doubles as racing museum

Over the years, the 71-year-old former race car driver has accumulated memorabilia from the more than 40 racetracks that once existed across Long Island. The Riverhead Raceway is the last standing track on Long Island, but Himes has made it his personal mission to keep the memory of the old tracks alive.

Since 1975, Himes' home, at the quiet dead end of O'Neil Avenue, has doubled as The Himes Museum of Motor Racing Nostalgia. Every inch of his modest house - every table top, every cabinet, every shelf - displays a piece of racing history. The museum spills into his front, back and side yards, his garage and two trailers that sit on his property.

Article

Chronos,Summer 2010: The Black Beast- A Vintage Warrior Returns Home

The Black Beast roars again. Howard Kroplick purchased the vintage Alco in 2008 and returned the car to the United States after fifteen years in France.