07-03-2025
Multiple Arkansas bills target motor racing regulation
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A wild west of motor vehicle racing is getting plenty of attention from state lawmakers this session. From the race track to a tract of legislation. Both are asking where to accelerate or put on the brakes.
Currently, there are at least three bills that would regulate it. Track owners have gotten one withdrawn, asked for another's removal, and praised the third.
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Jerry Bradley owns The Ridge Off-Road Park in Bradford. He convinced Rep. Wayne Long (Bradford-R) to withdraw House Bill 1564 Wednesday.
The legislation would have added a noise restriction, quiet hours, and liability insurance requirement to include all motocross, ATV tracks, truck or automobile racing tracks.
'ATV side-by-side motocross cycles I mean they use is just becoming extremely popular after Covid you know and I think that's why there's so many bills concerning the regulation of them,' Bradford said.
Homeowners around Diamond State Moto Complex near Malvern have been asking for restrictions for months. In December many, including Raymond Tanner, said it is unfair the business can disrupt their lives so easily.
'Tell me when do the people of the community not have the rights? Why do the people moving in making all the noise have a say so over us?' Tanner asked.
House Bill 1567 sponsored by Representative Rick McClure (Malvern (R)) is still in committee. It would apply the existing rural truck and automobile racing facilities code to ATV and motocross race facilities.
New permits would need to be issued with public notifications and hearings. That permit would need renewal each year and the county judge would weigh the benefits of the facility with the impact it has to property around it.
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Diamond State Moto Complex has come out against it saying in part:
'A renewal process…could subject us to license revocation each year. If passed, these Bills will render operation of our facility and similar facilities across the state unfeasible and our investment in this community a total loss.'
The complex is in favor of House Bill 1465 sponsored by Representative Justin Gonzalez (Okolona (R)). It would recognize the inherent risk of participating in motocross and remove liability from the track owners in most cases of injury or death. Bradford would like to his that extend to parks like his.
'I think it all should be grouped into one you know one term that covers all of those that would that would simplify the law,' Bradford said.
Hopefully making the twists and turns more navigable for owners, racers, and neighbors.
'Because right now the way the laws are written is pretty complicated honestly,' Bradford explained.
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KARK 4 News contacted Long and McClure for comment. Neither responded as of the time of this report.
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