Although Andy Stronach's original plan for a racetrack and simulcast facility in Michigan called for a location in Wheatfield Township, his EQTAH group is also looking at other locales around the Central Michigan area.

One such possible site is Mason, a city about 14 miles southeast of Lansing and 16 miles southwest of EQTAH's first-choice location, Williamston. Last week, Williamston residents gathered en masse to protest Stronach's plans, vowing to fight the track and prompting EQTAH to search for another location.

Mason's response has been similar to that voice by residents of Williamston. After meeting EQTAH officials, County Commissioner Mary Stid told the Lansing State Journal that "we're not interested. We don't have the space for something like this, and then there's the moral issue."

Time is of the essence for EQTAH. The group would like to open its new track for simulcasting in February 2003 and begin live racing seven months later. In order to do so, it must secure the approval of both a location and a racing license from the Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner. If it gains a license, the group could begin building immediately.

That short timeline worked against EQTAH in Mason, but local officials still think they can work something out.

"I don't want to shut the door forever," Commissioner Chris Swope told the Lansing State Journal. "In terms of it happening this year, it ain't going to happen."

Mayor Russell Whipple and City Administrator Martin Colburn both noted that Mason is positioned for growth with 200 acres of vacant land—with water and sewer services—is for sale east of the Ingham County Fairgrounds, and the city owns more than 50 acres of that land.

"Ingham County may not want this type of development on their land, but I feel Mason still has a horse in this race," Whipple said. "We decide what happens on city land. This is an intriguing idea, but the city needs to know a lot more before making any decision."

Mason's seven-member city council governs city-owned land use, and it would have the final say regarding EQTAH's plans not related to the county fairgrounds. Mayor Pro Tem Scott Preadmore and County Fair Board President Stan Jordan both said they have mixed feelings regarding a track, but both expressed a willingness to discuss various options.