The Racetrack at the Tulsa Fairgrounds was in place and racing long before the majority of homes were built around it. Poor planning perhaps. Or who was the Einstoned that allowed the construction of residential homes around an existing Fairgrounds?
In the 1970's the Sprint Car races at the Tulsa Speedway at the Fairgrounds drew over 13,000 racefans on Saturday nights during their season.
The track employed over 50 staff members plus the 70 plus race teams that competed and earned part of their living by racing at the tack. Many businesses in the Tulsa area are in the Motorsports Industry. The removal of motorsports racing from the Tulsa Fairgrounds damaged many people who's lively hood depended on that track. The Fairboard owned the concessions at the Speedway and did a major business on Saturday nights during the racing season.
Majority of the Fairgrounds I have been to in other states occupy an entire square mile or more.
Tulsa Fairgrounds - You can see turn one and two of the racetrack in this photo at the top. Note that 21st and Yale end at the intersection. In other photos there are no homes in the area on either side of the Fairgrounds. The Later photos show homes built and both 21st and Yale extending past that intersection with turn offs like exit ramps built to avoid waiting through a red light. Prior to changing the traffic laws to allow right turns after stopping on red.
Tulsa Speedway at the Tulsa Fairgounds
This is an early photo of Tulsa Speedway at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.
Most other cities, Oklahoma City included have Industrial parks surrounding their Farigrounds. State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City has been in operation for over 50 years at the Fairgrounds.
Just thinking outloud...
Perhaps Tulsa County needs to build their own Fairgrounds and sell the existing one in the City to the city of Tulsa. The County could build one near the highway system with easy access and plan for industrial tracts only to be allowed surrounding it. Up towards the Airport may be one loction. I always thought parts of the Rock Quarry would be a great place for an amusement park, racetracks and water park. Fiesta Texas is built in a Rock Quarry by Manhattan Construction Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Today, people are spending big bucks to own a custom built Villa next to or on an existing race circuit. Professional Motorsports Sanctioning bodies have noise limits and muffler requirements today. Totally different from the old school stock car open header days.
Here are some very nice Villas that are being constructed at The Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas located south west of Ft Worth.
http://www.motorsportranch.com/motorsport-gallery.cfm#id=MSR005&num=1The Villas at Motorsport Ranch
http://www.msrhouston.com/MSR HOUSTON Sister Facility in Houston Texas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Flags_Fiesta_TexasFIESTA TEXAS