After weeks of debate, Winterport has cut ties with the longtime operator of the local car racing track and made plans for a new group to take it over.
On Tuesday night, the Town Council voted to withdraw its offer of a new lease for the town-owned race track to the Winterport Dragway Association and instead enter a new operating agreement with Crystal Lancaster, a drag racer from Androscoggin County.
Before the meeting, officials with the Winterport Dragway Association had declined to sign a new eight-month lease offer that the Town Council approved in early April, which would have raised the group’s monthly rent from $1,667 to $3,125 and eliminated its ability to automatically extend the lease at the end of 2025. It defaulted on its previous lease after town officials said it didn’t turnover necessary financial records.
The new lease signed by Lancaster has many similar terms as the one that had ultimately been offered to the association, but her rent will be higher, working out to $3,750 per month. It will also end in December, at which point councilors said the town will seek bids for next year’s operator.
During the meeting, Lancaster said she aims to uphold the same mission as the Winterport Drag Association did: to provide a space for drag racing in Winterport. Lancaster said she has been drag racing herself for as long as she’s been legally able to drive, and that she has created a new business entity to run the track. She will rename it Fernald Field Dragway, after the name of the town-owned property that used to serve as a federal aviation facility.
“Those that made up the Winterport Dragway Association are near and dear friends of all of ours. We’re in the same racing community,” Lancaster said. “We share the same goal and the same mission. I created this LLC for the purpose of saving this facility.”
During public comments, several attendees expressed frustration at the decision to cut ties with the Winterport Dragway Association, as well as changes that were made in the proposed terms of its lease.
“I just feel really let down by the council. I really do,” said Resident Ellie Jordan, who criticized the increased rent and other new provisions in the association’s lease offer.
Joe Tyler, owner of an auto parts business in Winterport, noted that some residents were not happy about the board’s decision and kept speaking even as councilors requested that he yield the floor. He also threatened to recall them from their positions.
“I’ve been here 16 years without a complaint, not one complaint. And you think that’s a good deal?” Tyler said.
But another attendee, Russ Abbott, who identified himself as Lancaster’s partner, spoke in support of her.
“If anyone doubts Ms. Lancaster’s abilities in this lease, I challenge them to just sit back and watch what she’s capable of,” Abbott said. “It blows my mind what she can accomplish. For those of you who have any doubts whatsoever, just watch what she can do.”
“Or join me,” Lancaster added.
Town officials reiterated that they will seek bids for a new operator of the dragway after this year.
“It’s really a fiscally smart move for the town to gather interest,” said Town Manager Casey Ashey. “I think that’s what the Town Council is looking for — suggestions, and other entities that might have an interest in the property.”
The town’s previous lease with the Winterport Dragway Association required it to pay $20,000 for a period of 12 months ending on March 31 of this year. The new one with Lancaster will require her to pay $30,000 for a period of eight months.
Lancaster said she’ll finalize the details of the transition with the Winterport Dragway Association.
“This is a passion project of mine,” Lancaster said, “to save the racing track for the racers, by a racer.”
