Motor raceway wins approval of supervisors

After three years of study and heated debate, a divided Merced County Board of Supervisors early Wednesday approved a 1,200-acre raceway complex that backers said would bring jobs and entertainment but foes derided as a noisy, traffic-choking assault on the region’s agrarian roots.

Supervisors Deidre Kelsey and John Pedrozo cast dissenting votes against Riverside Motorsports Park as the nine-hour meeting concluded shortly before 2:30 a.m.

The $250-million complex will have eight racetracks, restaurants, lakes, an arcade and other amenities. Opponents say they will challenge it in court.