Bill seeks to make abandoned Yigo raceway available for Guam motorsports

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Sen. Amanda Shelton introduced a bill authorizing the Chamorro Land Trust Commission to lease all or a portion of the former Guam International Raceway in Yigo to the Guam Motorsports Association or its successor entity.

Bill 325-37 would allow the lease for a period of five years or until a new lease agreement for the property is approved by the government of Guam, specifically for the operation of a raceway, related support facilities, and various outdoor events.

The bill also includes a $300,000 appropriation to help CLTC address facility damages resulting from Typhoon Mawar and acts of vandalism - and to prepare the Yigo property for public use. 

The Guam Motorsports Association has called for immediate action on the former raceway, saying that racing enthusiasts on Guam need a home. Not only does the raceway cater to the motorsport community, it also serves as a park for cyclists, runners walkers and families. 

“Recognizing the threat unregulated drag racing poses to the safety of car enthusiasts and those who utilize our public roadways, Bill 325-37 intends to provide our community with a safe and regulated space for drag racing and other on and off-road motor racing, motorbiking, and car shows and activities,” Shelton said.

The bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, Sens. Joe San Agustin, Roy Quinata, Dwayne San Nicolas, William Parkinson, Frank Blas Jr., Thomas Fisher, Jesse Lujan and Chris Dueñas.     

She said the bill, which seeks to prioritize public safety, will make it "absolutely clear to everyone involved that 10 senators are not willing to wait another year for CLTC and other decision makers to figure out how best to move forward with a public recreation facility that our youth and families need right now.”  

Since the closure of the Guam International Raceway last year, the Yigo property remains vacant despite there being a continued need for a suitable location for regulated drag racing and activities - in addition to having large, paved areas to conduct law enforcement Emergency Vehicle Operators Course training and bootcamps for passenger vehicles and heavy-duty construction, transportation, and emergency response vehicles.