County officials put brakes on car clubs’ use of sheriff’s track
The “fun” days at the Oklahoma County sheriff’s track are over — for now.
For years, private car clubs have been allowed free use by the sheriff of a training course built for law enforcement on county-leased property in northeast Oklahoma City.
On these so-called “track” days or “fun” days, sports car drivers took turns speeding around a track and whipping by cones. The next event was scheduled for Sunday.
Car clubs were notified this week, though, that their use of the track has been suspended effective immediately “pending a review of current practices and the legality of a private organization using county-owned facilities.”
At issue is that county commissioners have not approved any private use of the track. Also at issue is that the county has no liability protection if someone is injured there and then sues. Any judgment against the county in a lawsuit would be paid for by taxpayers.
Car enthusiasts are upset, complaining that the clubs themselves have insurance for the events and that there never has been any major accidents. “Anyone else ready to start a riot?” one wrote Tuesday on Facebook.
Some have complained specifically about Commissioner Brian Maughan, who raised the issues after discovering on Facebook that clubs used the track.
Maughan said he became concerned about the
county’s liability after finding out how extensively car clubs have been at the track. “Essentially, they’re operating it as a clubhouse out there,” he said.
“I understand there’s quite a few negative comments about me on Facebook — that I’m trying to ... shut down all their fun activities,” the commissioner said. “But my main concern is, first and foremost, the taxpayers . ... I mean, you know, if somebody believes that there’s a ... crack in the track and that that was ultimately the cause of a car spinning out of control and wiping out some observers and killing them all, I just don’t think they’re going to find fault with the Corvette club. They’re going to say it was a faulty track.”
Sheriff’s response
Sheriff John Whetsel said he already is working to address the concerns about the county’s liability and the need for commissioners’ approval so car clubs can use the track again.
He said car clubs have used the track about 25 times a year, and drivers are cautious because their sports cars are so expensive — as much as $100,000 each.
He said car clubs also get insurance for their events — anywhere from $2 million to $5 million.
“We’ve never had, in the entire time, an injury. To the best of my recollection, other than a car sliding off the roadway, we’ve never had a major incident at all out there,” he said of the 15 to 20 years car clubs have used the track.
He emphasized that the cars aren’t racing, that the track days instead involve timed events.
Whetsel is up for re-election again this year and has faced more criticism this time than in the past.
He said of the latest controversy, “You always have to wonder about timing.
“I’m not saying that it’s political. Obviously, if those are legitimate concerns, then we have no problems addressing those legitimate concerns. But it is August.”
The sheriff compared the car clubs’ use of the track to a law school being allowed to use courtrooms at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. He said, “There’s liability there. Someone could fall and break a leg. There’s going to be liability no matter what you do when it involves a public facility.”
The Oklahoma City Corvette Club president, Steven Pistole, said he hopes something can be worked out. He pointed out local sports teams like the Thunder use a public facility.
“There’s got to be some arrangements or waivers or something. This is nothing new. Nobody’s just splitting the atom here for the first time,” Pistole said
His club last used the track July 23 and 24.
Track record?
Disputing that there have been no major incidents at the track is former state Rep. Mike Turner, who has been in contact with Maughan.
“There’s been cars that have been totaled, that have hit the trees out there. There have been people almost hit by out-ofcontrol vehicles that will spin out and get off in the grass,” he said.
Turner said he has seen some of the incidents personally, including a car sliding out of control. “Unfortunately, there have been wrecks . ... It’s a lie if they say there hasn’t been accidents out there . ... There’s also no fire trucks,” he said.
District Attorney David Prater told commissioners Wednesday that the insurance obtained by the car clubs would not protect the county from lawsuits whatsoever. He said the sheriff has exposed the residents of Oklahoma County to inappropriate liability.
The district attorney said the sheriff, when questioned, claimed commissioners had given their approval for car clubs to use the track — many, many years ago. Prater said he had the records of commissioner meetings searched for the past 15 years, and there was no place it had been approved or even mentioned.
Prater said the sheriff then claimed commissioners years ago “knew about it.” Prater said he asked the sheriff for their names, and the sheriff replied, “Well, I don’t remember.”
The district attorney said the car clubs “have done absolutely nothing wrong, at all, but maybe someone else has, because this has not been approved.”