NHIS owner may have to comply with legal agreements

A legal agreement limiting alcohol sales and banning concerts, night racing and drag racing at New Hampshire International Speedway could tie the hands of the track's new owner. Earlier this month, Texas racing magnate O. Bruton Smith announced the purchase of the Loudon track from owner Bob Bahre for $340 million. Smith says his company will review the commitments Bahre made to neighbors and looks forward to a friendly relationship with them. Those commitments include a legal agreement negotiated with residents of neighboring Canterbury that limits alcohol sales and consumption in the track, bans certain types of events and requires noise and traffic mitigation during big events. The group, Concerned Racetrack Neighbors, negotiated the deal with Bahre and the Loudon Planning Board in 1989. They say they reached the agreement amicably, and its provisions were attached to the deed and plan to make sure it would carry over to subsequent owners. AP/WCSH6.com