Travis Pastrana and the Circuit 199 team have announced their decision to halt efforts to develop Circuit 199, a state-of-the-art racing facility and motorsports park, in Sudlersville, Maryland. Circuit 199 has been working on the project since mid-2019 and has invested over $700,000 to try to make the project a reality. The goal of Circuit 199 was to build a world-class rally car course for international events, a driver training facility, a multi-purpose racing venue, and a pump track for the community as well as competitive local and national events for the enjoyment of families.
Despite obtaining a court dismissal of several of the lawsuits against Pastrana Racing, LLC and the Town of Sudlersville aimed at stopping Circuit 199 by The Queen Anne’s Conservation Association, Inc. (QACA) and a small number of local individuals, revised lawsuits have been filed that will clearly tie up the project in court for an unacceptable period of time. Although the Circuit 199 team and the town are confident they would have ultimately prevailed in these legal challenges (as well as other lawsuits/appeals they fully anticipate opponents will file), a Circuit 199 track in Sudlersville would not have opened by October 2021 as the partners and sponsors required. It is not feasible for Pastrana and his partners to be held up in litigation for the foreseeable future, and thus have decided to terminate the project.
“I’m crushed. It was my goal to bring a positive outlet to the whole community, our community, to create something exciting for people of all ages on the Eastern Shore, and to help stimulate the local economy.” said Travis Pastrana on the decision to cancel the development of Circuit 199. “We have been blown away by the public support from the town, the Eastern Shore, the entire state of Maryland, and from people all around the country. It’s unfortunate that the people from QACA, under the direction of Jay Falstad, do not want businesses in the community that would be a positive outlet and venue for children, families, and people of all ages. I’d like to thank all the amazing people from the town of Sudlersville and Queen Anne’s County and my incredible project team who enthusiastically embraced and supported this dream project from the very beginning. I am focusing my efforts toward the tracks we are currently building for our 2021 NRX season. Unfortunately, with all the set backs, Circuit 199 will not be one of them.”
We spoke with Travis on this project back in July. Have a listen:
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