Grand Prix in Del Mar Gets Green Light

Love it or hate it, the much-disputed Grand Prix of Southern California got the green light Thursday from the California Coastal Commission to roar into Del Mar for a second year.

With a room full of advocates and detractors from Del Mar looking on, the commission voted, 7 to 3, to allow race cars to spin again around a specially built track at the Del Mar fairgrounds.

“We all know this is a controversial event for Del Mar,” said Commissioner Donald McInnis, who supported the race. “I also want to point out that controversy is no stranger to that community.”

But other commissioners said the event, set to start in late October, is incompatible with the quiet ambiance of Del Mar, the upscale seaside village flanking the sprawling fairgrounds.

“The efforts the race promoter has made to ease problems have been very commendable, but this is not the location for this kind of event,” said Commissioner Madelyn Glickfeld, who opposed the race along with commissioners David Malcolm and Robert Franco.

Strongly Opposed

Indeed, opponents persisted during the hearing Thursday at the Burton Chace Community Center in Marina del Rey in trying to convince commissioners that the race should be scotched.

Their presentation included a slick, 21-minute video documenting problems foes said they encountered during last year’s event.

Opponents say numerous residents were bothered by the buzz-saw whine of the race cars and the noise of aircraft flying low over the throng at the fairgrounds. Moreover, the race crowds left litter and clogged Del Mar’s streets with their cars, foes said.

They also argued that the event had an adverse effect on the environmentally sensitive San Dieguito Lagoon next to the fairgrounds. The video showed a pool of oily water in the lagoon that opponents said was caused by oil spilled during the races.

Race supporters countered that the event was a success for Del Mar and nearby communities, arguing that opponents had stretched the truth about the event’s effects.

“Their allegations are so blown out of proportion it’s not even worth comment,” Chris Pook, promoter of the Del Mar race, said after the commission’s vote.

Jim Coleman, Del Mar chamber president, said the race had helped merchants and argued that traffic problems were kept to a minimum.

Some residents, meanwhile, said they changed their minds about the race after last year’s event.

“I was not initially in favor, then I decided I should relax and enjoy it,” said Jeannette Bush. “I did not observe a negative impact, and I tried to find one.”