Raceway as Manager: At Talladega, the Superspeedway is primary tenant, FBO, and administrator

Managing Air

Raceway as manager:
At Talladega, the Superspeedway is primary tenant, FBO, and administrator

By John F. Infanger, Editorial Director

At Talladega, the Superspeedway is primary tenant, FBO, and administrator

TALLADEGA, AL - The Talladega Superspeedway, some 30 miles east of Birmingham, is known to NASCAR race fans as the world's fastest speedway. For two weekends each year it is the center stage of racing, attracting thousands of fans as well as some 350 aircraft at the Talladega Municipal Airport, which lies adjacent to the speedway. Its proximity has led to an arrangement in which the Superspeedway, the primary tenant, contracts with the city to provide fixed base operation services and day to day airport management.

Comments airport board chairman Ray Miller, "It's probably one of the best situations for a general aviation airport. They are our biggest customer and they are also responsible for handling all of the aircraft. I think it has generated a lot more interest having the speedway right next door versus a typical general aviation airport.
"Plus, normally there are race teams testing there at just about any given time, so aircraft are constantly coming in."

He points out that aircraft activity is also increasing following the installation of a Honda automobile manufacturing plant at Lincoln, some five miles from the airport. "We are seeing freight moved in for Honda, and we recently leased a building for a company that has a freight contract with Honda," he says.

5-year, renewable lease
Talladega Municipal, which actually sits outside the city limits and in Talladega County, is owned by the City of Talladega, which contracts with a subsidiary of the International Speedway Corporation, owner of the Talladega Superspeedway.

"Through North American Testing Corporation, which is a subsidiary of the International Speedway Corporation, we have the contract to be the FBO for the airport," explains Grant Lynch, president of the Super-speedway and vice president of North American Testing.

According to Miller, the lease term with the speedway is for five years, with an ongoing five-year renewable option, which calls for NATC to provide FBO services as well as normal airport maintenance. The Super-speedway, which sits on some 2,000 acres in total, leases various office space, facilities, and adjacent property used primarily for campsites on race weekends.

The city and the speedway split 50/50 revenues generated by the 35-40 t-hangars. Miller estimates that the hangars and other facilities bring in about $40,000 annually to the city, and the speedway pays an "annual rent" for property it leases. There are no fuel flowage or landing fees.

Talladega Municipal Airport sits some eight miles from the city and features a 6,002-foot runway. In 2003, an AWOS was installed and an ILS is planned for 2004.