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Plans for New Detroit Race Track Bog Down Gregoric Says Sewer Problems Confront Novi Raceway Syndicate Special to Daily Racing Form DETROIT, Mich., May 10.— Plans for a new race track in suburban Novi have bogged down because of sewer problems, according to B. F. Gregoric, a civil engineer and leading member of the Novi Raceways syndicate. At the same time there were rumblings that all was not well with the syndicate backing construction of the ,500,000 plant in Novi Township 25 miles northwest of downtown Detroit. It was reported that the group might look elsewhere in Novi for a site if the present one falls through. Gregoric, who helped start construction of the present Hazel Park track in 1948. said that his groups sewer problems stem from the difficulty of putting in a septic tank system on the present site at Grand River and Meadowbrook on the main highway from Detroit to Lansing, the state capital. The Oakland County Drain Commission has turned thumbs down on a septic system because it might not handle 20,000 to 25.000 on big racing days. Instead, the commission has proposed installation of a major sewage disposal plant which could become the heart of a system for the entire township. But, Gregoric said, such a system would probably cost about 00,000. Meanwhile he said that everything else is ready for construction to begin. "Material for the grandstand and all-weather covering are ready, contractors are ■ standing by, surveying has been do.ne and ; racing commissioner James H. Inglis will be approached soon for a license," Gregoric stated. Despite Gregorfcs optimism there are signs that the syndicate is having its own problems. George Kovacs, Walled Lake in- j j dustrialist, and Dr. August Holcomb, owner of the property, said that they had not talked with Gregoric "for over a month," j j but Gregoric expects to make a report to ; ; the stockholders later this month. j Backers of the proposed track have not | j been revealed although they are reported j to include prominent figures in harness j j racing. The track, a five-furlong oval, j j would be equipped to offer both harness and thoroughbred racing. Gregoric added that he is in contact with ; officials of other Detroit -area sports to in- j terest them in using the facilities planned j ! on the track side. J "We will build the track," he said, "even j j if we have to put up the 00,000 for a sewage system."
