MONROE—Since 2007, the Washington Quarter Midget Association (WQMA) has been putting kids behind the wheel in Monroe.
The idea of 5-year-olds driving might turn some heads, but “safety is the club’s number one concern,” per the Evergreen State Fair’s official website. “All drivers must have seat belts, racing jackets, gloves, full-face helmets, and neck and arm restraints.”
And while youth racing is intended to put smiles on faces, participants stand to gain more than just a good time. Part of WQMA’s mission is “to acquaint the younger generation with the handling of mechanical devices, coordination, alertness, and ability to handle motor-driven vehicles,” as well as “to impress upon the younger generation the idea of fairness, generosity, good sportsmanship and a sense of responsibility.”
Unfortunately for these school-age speedsters, WQMA is soon likely to lose their racetrack, which they have leased from Snohomish County for 17 years. “The county is opening the bid to for-profit businesses to take over our lease. Us being a nonprofit competing… puts us at real risk of losing this track,” said WQMA Secretary Vanessa Ferguson.
As of 2024, WQMA has operated for 67 years. Since its “official start” in 1957, it has hosted races around the Puget Sound area, including in North Seattle, Renton and Mukilteo.
But it’s the Monroe facility, just west of Evergreen Speedway and the fairgrounds, that WQMA has put “blood, sweat, and tears” into, according to Ferguson. “The property was dirt before we came in. We built buildings, bathrooms… we built this track from the ground up,” she explained.
This was echoed by fellow WQMA member and Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue Chief Jerry Helm, who spoke to Coupeville Sports blogger David Svien about the situation. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested by our non-profit organization to build and maintain the track and its facilities,” Helm was quoted.
WQMA has been able to manage this kind of expensive construction and upkeep, but an auction against corporate bidders appears unwinnable. “The county is… asking for a minimum 2.5 times what we pay now,” Helm said in a statement. “Snohomish County is trying to sell [the track] out from under us,” commented DyAnn Bauer, whose grandson races with WQMA.
Ferguson suggested that some companies have already displayed interest in the property, possibly eliminating the nonprofit’s auction prospects. Due to errors in county paperwork, bidding has been extended from November 15 to the 18th; in a long shot, WQMA hopes that Snohomish County officials will hear them out and reconsider beforehand.
“We’ve had a great relationship with the county since 2007. We just want to maintain it… This is for kids, please don’t take their racetrack away,” expressed Ferguson, emotion present in her words. “It’s something kids look forward to, it gives them confidence, and creates lifelong friendships.”
WQMA members and supporters have been using the hashtag #LetOurKidsRace to raise awareness, hoping to reach the Snohomish County Council or Tom Teigen, the county’s former Parks and Recreation Director and current Conservation and Natural Resources Director.
IRS documents show that Washington Quarter Midget Association lost its non-profit status in March 2022; it was reinstated in 2023.
The Lynnwood Times contacted Snohomish County Parks and Recreation for comment and was provided with an updated FAQ document. A county representative stated that a successful bidder would be chosen based on “highest scoring”, as opposed to placing the highest bid. Competition for the lease goes through an “RFP process”; this includes paperwork submitted as part of bidding.
Although the RFP had already been revised twice, language within still heavily gave the impression of a traditional auction. “The bid award will be issued after the highest bidder and Snohomish County fully execute the Option to Lease Land,” an excerpt read. The Parks and Recreation Department claims this was a clerical error, stating “this RFP was created from a standard template… However, this RFP will be rated based on the highest scored application.”
To avoid further confusing applicants, the “scoring criteria” has been added “as an amendment to the RFP”, thus making the present document the fourth official version. As part of this update, bids will close on the 18th instead of the 15th.
County emails obtained by the Lynnwood Times show that WQMA has had a license agreement with the Parks Department since 2007. The County is now foregoing licensure, instead offering bids for a property lease at market rate to rent the land to a vendor. According to SCC 4.46.211, the bidding process must now go through the County’s Facilities & Fleet Department because the bid is no longer for a license agreement. Both Parks and Facilites fall under the authority of the Snohomish County Executive’s Office, not the County Council.
Editor’s Note: Article updated with IRS and Snohomish County emails at 9:28 p.m., November 11, 2024; updated 6:17 p.m., November 12, 2024, with response from Snohomish County Parks with our questions.
Author: Kayvon Bumpus
