That’s the conclusion of the board of directors and steering committee of The Harold E. LeMay Museum, which unanimously called on the governor to create the task force during its recent annual meeting. The request includes providing adequate funding to visit racetracks in other locations across the country to see up-close the positive economic impact racing fans provide.

“To simply turn down a project of this magnitude without serious consideration would be a breach of the state’s duty to its citizens,” said David Madeira, museum chief executive officer.

ISC recently announced it won’t pursue a racetrack financing package through the Legislature this year.

The LeMay Museum features the LeMay Collection of thousands of American cars and memorabilia. ISC President Grant Lynch is a member of the museum’s steering committee and ISC is a major sponsor or America’s Car Museum, which is raising funds for a new museum in Tacoma.

The two entities have begun discussions on efforts that will generate more than 1 million auto-tourism visits per year, Madeira said. The economic impact on Kitsap, Pierce and King counties in particular, would be “tremendously positive,” he said.

Madeira sent a letter to Gov. Gregoire’s office discussing the need for the panel. He said the racetrack represented an opportunity to spread economic development to smaller cities.