A racetrack in your backyard? Maybe not in NY...

[MaxPower]

“What really infuriated us is that the world is falling apart, psychologically, financially, every way possible, and this man is worried about his Ducatis and his racetrack,” said Ben Shecter, who lives in a lovely restored barn and silo across from Mr. Wilzig. “It is such indulgence, these billionaires, these Madoffs of the world, build these walls where they are just totally immune to what's going on.”

Just incredible.  This guy is such a piece of shit.

[Spidey]

Some of the most vicious and petty arguments occur between rich neighbors.  WTF?

Back in the good ole days (By which I mean when I was ten and the world seemed a whole lot less complicated), we'd just leave some flaming shit on the guys doorstep.  Which leads me to thinnk that mebbe some good, ole fashioned pranks will calm everyone the make the beast with two backs down, which in turn will allow the rich dude to have his racetrack.  Or maybe he won't get his racetrack, in which case he can start reporting his neighbors for housing code violations on a daily basis.    

[DesmoDiva]

I hope he wins!!!


Ken Block had to sell his property in Park City, UT because of a law suit similar to this.  He had built a rally course that his neighbors didn't like and sued. 

[DCXCV]

The perfect answer if his track isn't allowed?  Just buy a tractor.   

[Autostrada Pilot]

"I promise it's to just to do a little farming.....we are in the country, afterall"


I vote if he doesn't get his track, that he should take up skeet shooting in his backyard.  Aim towards the neighbors (maybe the buckshot falling on their roof will change their mind about a motorcycle track).

[supakpow2]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.roadracerx.com/db-images/dbimage782_300.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.roadracerx.com/article.php%3Farticle_id%3D159&usg=__BKCSDcaUalfAbfAr_tPOLi4_I8s=&h=208&w=300&sz=16&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=w8KeDYKWQ4ad3M:&tbnh=80&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DWilzig%2BRacing%2BManor%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBR_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

That is the sexiest thing I've seen in quite a while.

Other than my wife.

[EvilSteve]

I've ridden around the track on quads and dirt bikes. Quad is more fun with all that sideways action.

It really is a weird situation IMO and there's more to it than has been reported on both sides. Alan really is just like a lot of us but with a bunch more money. He's actually a really generous guy and as mentioned in this article, he's not the best at media relations but he really does make an effort to do the right thing.

If you guys all want to support him, you can sign a petition here: http://www.alanwilzig.com/openletter/

For the record, he didn't ask me to post anything here or say anything on this at all (although I did send him a link to this thread). I try to think about how I'd feel about this if I didn't know Alan personally and everyone's reaction here has confirmed my first thought. He's not bothering anyone except upsetting the ideologies of another rich guy who wants a nice view and to have his own mansion in the really expensive part of NYS.

[Howie]

Petition signed.  I've been going up to that area for about 40 years now.  We have a friend who lives off Beauty Highway and other friends who live near by.  I can't help but wonder if I haven't bumped into Alan in my travels.  I do wish him success in his fight.

[GLantern]

/signed, i hope he gets the track.  He should host DIMBY 

[Autostrada Pilot]

/signed, i hope he gets the track.  He should host DIMBY 

He's got one big ass backyard!

Good luck to you, Alan  [moto]

[ducpainter]

/signed, i hope he gets the track.  He should host DIMBY 

You're off the list...

[superjohn]

I'd sign the petition but it doesn't show up formatted correctly in Safari.

People just don't want to accept that they live with other people and that they can't control everything. If this guy isn't polluting the environment, or causing excessive noise then he should have every right to do what he wants with his property.

[Oldfisti]

signed.

[cyrus buelton]

holy shit, a girl that I know locally knows this guy! She used to live in Manhattan

She has been to his bike garage in Manhattan, he has a shitload of ducati's.


hmmm, might have to give Jen a call on this one.

[lauramonster]

Wonder if people are worried that he'll get the track, then later it'll get converted to a commercial race track.

I agree, he's made all the right concessions.  this should be a non-issue.