1. February 18, 2009
Section: Local
By: Bonnie E. Eskridge
Drag Racing Strip Hearings End
The hearings considering Ronald Wallace’s proposed drag racing strip in East Berlin, PA
have finally come to an end. The Washington Township Zoning Hearing Board held a
series of hearings to consider Wallace’s proposal, during which they listened to a total of
fourteen hours and forty-five minutes of testimony from a variety of witnesses including
expert witnesses such as engineers, an acoustician, and individuals who were for or
against the proposed racetrack. The final hearing was held February 18, 2009 at 7pm in
Kralltown Elementary School at 21 Creek Road, East Berlin, PA.
Ronald Wallace bought his property in November of 2008 for $410, 000, hoping to turn
the site into a drag racing strip where he would hold races and sell concessions. The
facility would also have overnight parking available for participants and spectators.
On February 18, the zoning hearing board heard spent the first portion of the hearing
listening to testimony from interested parties who were in favor of Wallace’s racetrack.
Michael Stevenson, a drag racing enthusiast from Florida, explained during his testimony
that drag racing strips can be “learning facilities as well as fun facilities”. Stevenson,
among others, spends some of his spare time teaching youths interested in drag racing the
perils of street-racing and drunk driving.
According to Christina Valenzia, another supporter of Wallace’s proposal, drag racing
strips provide youths interested in car racing with somewhere to go, rather than having to
race on the street. Valenzia believes that a drag racing strip would be a “safe place to
practice the sport legally”.
Eleven more supporters of Wallace’s proposed racetrack spoke before the board. Their
testimony shared similar themes; the supporters stated that drag racing is a very safe,
well-supervised, family-oriented sport. Those among them who knew Wallace stated that
he was a responsible man who is very conscientious about adhering to safety rules during
drag races. Wallace himself said after the hearing that the drag racing strip would be a
“safe place with good people”.
After the public hearing segment of the hearing concluded, the zoning hearing board
listened to testimony from Scott Aiken, who explained that part of Wallace’s proposal
included a berm, which is a dirt wall enclosure for the racetrack that would provide visual
and sound buffering. The board then heard Gary Twaddle’s testimony. Twaddle owns
his own audio production company. Twaddle pointed out that the berm would neither
amplify nor reflect the noise from the racetrack.
Board Attorney Victor Neubaum announced at the end of the hearing that the zoning
hearing board will have forty-five days starting from Wednesday, February 18, the date

2. of the final hearing, to deliberate and make a decision regarding Wallace’s proposal
based on testimony and relevant evidence.