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Aviation regulations could force two motor-sports groups out of the Marina Municipal Airport—or at least, that's the perception from some of the niche community's leaders.

The Marina City Council will hold a special meeting Friday, Jan. 4, to discuss permitting for Monterey Motorsports and Monterey Bay Karters.

A Jan. 3 email from John Moulton, co-founder of Monterey Motorsports, tells supporters that the city's Community Development Department has ordered the nonprofit to stop all scheduled 2013 activities until a new use permit is issued.

Monterey Motorsports has been hosting events such as go-kart racing, autocrossing, driving schools and auto swap meets on the airport's southeast tarmac since 1995, he writes. The group's last permit covered 2010-11, and it now wants a two-year use permit for 2013-14. Moulton writes that the group has about 80 events scheduled for 2013, and is a regular donor to local charities.

It's not the only group affected. In late August, the city of Marina ordered Monterey Bay Karters, a nonprofit that hosts go-kart racing on the airport's north tarmac, to stop holding races at the airport track due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The order forced the cancellation of its remaining 2012 races.

Group leaders met with city and FAA staff, according to the Monterey Bay Karters website, and with support from Congressman Sam Farr's office scored permission in late December to use the tarmac for at least another six months.

Jackie Behrick, general manager of Skydive Monterey Bay—which also rents a portion of the Marina airport—says her company is not facing any permitting issues. "We're doing everything right," she says.

Marina Community Development Director Christine di Iorio was not immediately available for comment.

The special meeting begins at 5:30pm in the City Council chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina.