Del Mar

A citizens’ group has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court seeking to stop the proposed Southern California Grand Prix auto race at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Citizens Against Noise, a nonprofit association of homeowners, filed the suit Tuesday asking for a temporary restraining order to prevent the California Coastal Commission from accepting any application for the proposed sports car race.

The lawsuit, filed by La Jolla attorney Benny Chien, also seeks to reverse the 22nd District Agricultural Assn. approval of a five-year lease agreement with the Del Mar Grand Prix Inc. for six days of racing and an accompanying 10-day auto exposition.

“The proposed race will have serious detrimental effects upon (area residents’) peaceful use and enjoyment of their homes due to the severe race car noise (82 decibels and up), traffic congestion, air pollution and damage to the lagoon,” the lawsuit says.

The Coastal Commission, which issues permits for development activities in the coastal zone, still must approve the proposal that is estimated will attract up to 150,000 spectators for the week of racing.

The four petitioning members of the citizens’ group named in the lawsuit are Joe Shirley, Gill Williamson, Jim Hook and Tracy Richmond.

Named defendants are the 22nd District Agricultural Assn. and its chairman, Raymond Satjian, and the California Coastal Commission.

Listed as real-parties-in-interest are Del Mar Grand Prix Inc.; its president, Christopher R. Pook, and John Bishop, president of the International Motor Sports Assn.