Miller Motorsports Park opening

[cameraman]

The track will be open to anyone who wants to drive it. It will also host professional races but the main reason it was built is Larry Miller wants some place to drive his eleven Shelby Cobras.

They are going to announce at least a few professional race dates tonight.


Miller sets 'course' for change (http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_3007199)
No oval track: The new 4.5-mile road-course racing facility will be a playground for sports-car drivers
By Phil Miller
The Salt Lake Tribune

... The Miller Motorsports Park, a 500-acre tribute to Miller's love for fast cars, will provide a place for sports car owners to rev up their engines and see what they can do ...

... he decided to splurge on the road-course track ... Miller hired a world-renowned designer, bought a 500-acre plot of land about five miles northwest of Tooele, and put no restrictions on the project. The result "is going to be something extraordinary," said Alan Wilson, a South African who has designed nearly two dozen road courses...

... he decided to start from scratch in Utah, "and do it to the quality Larry is known for," Wilson said. The result? "Let's just say we're north of $40 million now," Miller said. "I'm living a teenage dream of mine. I'm doing it for the love of cars." ...

... After the Denver track didn't work out, "I figured what the heck, I'm not getting any younger. I can afford to do it, so I'm going racing in Utah. We decided we're going to build a really cool track so we can go out and drive 'til we're silly."...

... Laguna Seca's famed "corkscrew" turn is replicated, for instance -- for Miller's twisting, weaving track. The 4.5-mile asphalt course -- "It's gargantuan, a monster," Wilson said -- can be split into two 2.2-mile tracks, one meant for faster driving and one with more turns. There's even a go-kart track, nearly a mile long. Other amenities will include a $5 million clubhouse, 22 acres of paddocks, and grandstand "oases" capable of seating 30,000 people. "Everything to make the experience as fan-friendly and racer-friendly as possible," Miller said. ....

... Wilson wants the track to host one major national race per month during the summer, beginning next year...

... there are several other levels of racing, both sports cars and motorcycles, interested in Utah...

... "people who want to play on the track, but don't want to race."...

...Drivers will be required to undergo instruction to assess their skill level, and their cars or cycles will be inspected before taking to the asphalt. And then? "By the end of their first day, they'll be driving as fast as they're competent," Wilson said. Prices haven't been set yet, but the plan is to keep fees below $200...

...Miller said. "I'm going to have a blast. And I think a lot of other people will, too."

Larry Miller will unveil his plans for the Miller Motorsports Park at a special open house tonight at 7 p.m. at the Delta Center. Race cars, sports cars and motorcycles from clubs around the state will be on display, and information on the track, garage rentals and club memberships will be available. The evening's highlight is expected to be an announcement from the track's designer and general manager, Alan Wilson, along with drivers and officials from sanctioning bodies, of plans to hold national races on the 4.5-mile track next summer. The public is invited; admission is free.

[extramundane]

The ALMS announcement already leaked. July 13-15 2006, Live on CBS

[NismoZ]

Whoa...The Utah Grand Prix! I wonder if they'll have picnic tables and outhouses?

[FCYTravis]

Awesome!! :cool:

Hope to be there to flag the inaugural race... maybe burn some of these FF miles!

[oddlycalm]

I'm not much of a Larry Miller fan, but I guess my hats off to anyone that builds a 4.5 mile natural roadcourse in the US. Unfortunately, Larry may have gone first class on the course design and paving, but he cheaped out when he located it five miles northwest of Tooele, UT. The land may have been cheap and it may be handy enough for Larry, but it isn't going to be very convenient for 99.99% of the rest of the US population. But hey, it's only a short drive to the Bonneville Salt Flats....

oc

[FCYTravis]

Also announced - Grand-Am will race there too. Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Hey, who said two sports car series can't get along?

[cameraman]

The paper had it wrong Larry Miller has spent over $50 million building the track so far.

June 16-18, 2006 Thunder Run AMA Superbike
July 13-15, 2006 Utah Grand Prix ALMS & Speed World Challenge
August 3-5, 2006 Heros of Speed Historic Sportscar Racing
August 31- Sept 2, 2006 Grand Am Sunchaser 9 hour race

Not to mention the new location of Freddie Spencer's High Performance Riding School.

16 open track days, $50 for a 2 hour session, 120 for the full day

A racing museum

A huge karting program

A sponsorship program for hooking up local racers with corporate sponsorship.

A track where P1s will be over 200 mph on the main straight.

Did you know Emanuele Pirro can do a donut in the Champion Audi in an area less than half a basketball court?

[cameraman]

Whoa...The Utah Grand Prix! I wonder if they'll have picnic tables and outhouses?

Given that Larry Miller is spending well over $50 million dollars to build the best road course in North America I can guarantee the picnic tables and barbeque pits but the bathrooms will be on par with Road America's Kohler creations...

And the best paddock in the USA

And a track purpose designed to be 200+ mph with 5 passing real zones.

[cameraman]

I'm not much of a Larry Miller fan, but I guess my hats off to anyone that builds a 4.5 mile natural roadcourse in the US. Unfortunately, Larry may have gone first class on the course design and paving, but he cheaped out when he located it five miles northwest of Tooele, UT. The land may have been cheap and it may be handy enough for Larry, but it isn't going to be very convenient for 99.99% of the rest of the US population. But hey, it's only a short drive to the Bonneville Salt Flats....

oc

Piss off *******. Nothing about that track is cheap. He has no zoning problems, he has no noise regulations. He has 2 million Utahns within two hours.

He built it where he built it because the state, county and city governments went out of their way to make everything happen. As oppossed to the people in Colorado who voted down his track proposal 93% to 7%.

And that terrible location is going to allow 280 track days a year. All these clubs are going to have track time for their members:

Beehive Beemers
Bonneville Healey Club
Canyon Chasers
Corvette Club of Utah
Eastern Idaho SCCA
Intermountain Vintage
Legends Cars
MiniUtah.com
NUMOA
Porsche Club of America
RMVR
Utah's Car Club Center
Utah Ford Club
Utah Region SCCA
Utah Muscle Car Assoc.
Utah Sport Bike Assoc.
Wasatch Chapter BMW
Z Club of Utah

Miller is going out of his way to make it so anyone and everyone in Utah can race as much as they can afford or desire.

He is making this the best public road course facility anywhere.

[skaven]

Piss

He built it where he built it because the state, county and city governments went out of their way to make everything happen. As oppossed to the people in Colorado who voted down his track proposal 93% to 7%.

I never voted... I never even heard about it. :(

[RusH]

Lets compare. (apples and oranges maybe).
Turkey cost about 150M, Utah cost 50M. After we see what we get from a fresh.. spanking new US track vs. the best new F1 track in years.

I`ll plan my vacation accordingly..hmm, Utah or Turkey...hmm. Utah....or Turkey. :gomer:




When will someone build a good road track in AMERICA where there is something else to do besides go to bed at 10PM. :saywhat:

[rjohnson999]

What part of NIMBYism don't you understand?


Lets compare. (apples and oranges maybe).
Turkey cost about 150M, Utah cost 50M. After we see what we get from a fresh.. spanking new US track vs. the best new F1 track in years.

I`ll plan my vacation accordingly..hmm, Utah or Turkey...hmm. Utah....or Turkey. :gomer:




When will someone build a good road track in AMERICA where there is something else to do besides go to bed at 10PM. :saywhat:

[FCYTravis]

Nine hours, baby. Endurance racing lives!

[NismoZ]

So, how do I get into a Midwest Chapter of the Utah Z Club!? :) By comparison, I was able to do 4 sessions at a "One-day driver's school", sponsored by Fox Valley Motorsports, at the new Autobahn Country Club in Joliet Illinois in April...I think it was $275. (and worth it, it was a blast. I'm so jealous of you racer guys out there...but I have to DRIVE this thing for the next 4 years! :) )...PS, same track designer, 3.56 mi. (1.46 & 2.1)

[Methanolandbrats]

When will someone build a good road track in AMERICA where there is something else to do besides go to bed at 10PM. :saywhat: A better question is why won't racefans travel a couple hours for a race? Why is'nt the race the event? Why do most fans need to be within 500 yards of a Starbucks or they feel like it's the middle of nowhere.

[Sean O'Gorman]

A better question is why won't racefans travel a couple hours for a race? Why is'nt the race the event? Why do most fans need to be within 500 yards of a Starbucks or they feel like it's the middle of nowhere.

Because small town people are strange and should be looked down upon. I took Stu and his girlfriend to Mid-Ohio a couple weeks ago and I don't think I was 20 miles out of Cleveland when they complained "are we in West Virginia or something?" :saywhat: :laugh:

[Stu]

Because small town people are strange and should be looked down upon. I took Stu and his girlfriend to Mid-Ohio a couple weeks ago and I don't think I was 20 miles out of Cleveland when they complained "are we in West Virginia or something?" :saywhat: :laugh:

Never seen so many hills in my life. I thought I was in the freaking Rocky Mountains or something.

[RichK]

Thunderhill Park has done very nicely in a small town, about 3 hours from San Francisco. Although the track never pretends to be a future home of the USGP, they are booked almost solid with track day events, schools, SCCA, Motorcycle races, commercial shoots, and testing.

The town of Willows really embraced the track, and the local economy is doing very well thanks to all the "rich" city folks staying overnight, eating, buying supplies for the track, etc.

Small town tracks can work!

[RusH]

A better question is why won't racefans travel a couple hours for a race? Why is'nt the race the event? Why do most fans need to be within 500 yards of a Starbucks or they feel like it's the middle of nowhere.

I`m willing...but can you even drink in Utah?

Hey, the track looks good, as long the racing is good.

[RichK]

I`m willing...but can you even drink in Utah?



yes

[cameraman]

I`m willing...but can you even drink in Utah?

Of course you can. The laws are odd but there is no problem getting a drink.
Salt Lake its not huge but there are a couple dozen big sports bars, dance clubs, night clubs etc in Salt Lake City (I am not counting corner bars)

And if you require bars open 24 hours a day the casinos of Wendover Nevada are a 90 minute drive from the entrance gate of the track.

[racer2c]

Where's Utah? I think I drove through it once. I remember truck escape ramps and the color brown. :)

[cameraman]

Hmmm, I-80 then I-84 to Seattle or Portland?

[oddlycalm]

A better question is why won't racefans travel a couple hours for a race? Why is'nt the race the event? Why do most fans need to be within 500 yards of a Starbucks or they feel like it's the middle of nowhere. I've traveled many thousands of miles to races and often spent the entire weekend without leaving the track grounds, as have most of that folks on this forum. That said, get back to me after you spend a weekend in July at Tooele, Utah... ;)

oc

[oddlycalm]

Piss off *******. Nothing about that track is cheap. He has no zoning problems, he has no noise regulations. He has 2 million Utahns within two hours. Not sure why you feel like verbal aggression is justified. Did I attack you in some way? You sure you really want to argue the postition that 500 acres near Tooele out behind the open pit mine is a prime location? There is plenty of desert land in virtually every western state that is within a couple ours of a population center and has no zoning or noise restrictions, but that doen't make it anything but cheap land, so I stand by my previous comment.

I'm sure this is great news for anyone in the area that's wants to participate in track days, and I have no doubt that it will be booked every day it's open by the various car clubs, just as virtually every other road course in North America is. Excuse me if I don't hold my breath waiting for huge attendence numbers for the races held there. It may be a wonderful facility, but my opinion is that the location is going to limit interest from outside the area even if the track itself is something special. I may be proven wrong. Feel free to cuss me out to your hearts content.

oc

[Wally]

Piss off *******.

OC thats from the Larry Miller school of how to win friends and intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with me. ;)

[Ankf00]

Never seen so many hills in my life. I thought I was in the freaking Rocky Mountains or something.


and this is why we don't have RA on the sked anymore....

why Legion Field is no longer the home of football in the south...

[DagoFast]

OK, A dark secret of my past? I went to high school in Tooele UT. You wanna know who looks forward to going to Tooele? Maybe a couple of people that happen to live in Erda. The two best things about Tooele UT was the highway going out either end.

Now I don't know Larry Miller, but if he wants to spend 50 mil of his own dough to build a track, it's his dough and Utah is (just barely) part of the USA and it is a free country. But personally, I think he drank a few to many 3.2% beers while watching "Field of Dreams" with a couple of his wives.

I wish him all the best, but I personally wound'nt go there to see toeknee george kicked in the nuts by the entire mormon tabernackle chior. (I would buy the video though!)

JMO.

[cameraman]

You have my condolences...

But you see that is one of the joys of the location, you don't have to go to Tooele to get there. You would have to be insane to park your rv anywhere near the place in July or August anyway. You just have to adjust your behavior a little. It is a 75 minute drive from Park City to the track if you were to do the speed limit. (You will be a rolling chicane if you do.) You stay in Park City in one of the two billion off season ski condos and you drive to the track in the morning. At night you go back the Park City clubs. If you are rich you add 15 minutes to the drive and stay at Deer Valley in a 35,000 sq ft condo instead.

[DagoFast]

Dang man, 35,000 square foot condo's? Jeez, you must own Inkley's. If I was THAT rich I would just private jet/helicopter it from Sun Valley, Idaho out there and back!

Congrat's on your high standard of living.
But I still say there is no "joy in that location". Time will tell.

I was young and poor when I lived there. I had to make do driving to race's at the fairgrounds, Bonneville speedway and sometimes Suntana. I know the fairground races are long gone, are the other two tracks still around?

[Ankf00]

The IRL Utah 500 at Miller Park brought to you by Coors Light, the "Best Damn 3 Point Stuff in the Land!"

[cameraman]

I said "if you are rich". I can't stay in places like that but the Kalkhoven's of the world can. If he skied at Alta he wouldn't have problems getting run down by boarders either.

The only other track around here is Rocky Mountain Raceway. It has a 3/8 mile NASCAR asphalt oval and an NHRA drag strip. They run all manner of USAC sprint cars, Snap On modifieds, super stocks, school buses, figure eights and the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. At least that is what I remember seeing ads for.

[DagoFast]

Is Rocky Mountain out on 21st south and like 50-70 something west? It sounds like the same place, but with a name change. I used to race go-carts on the roadcourse there many many moons ago. And later, a mini stock on the oval.

So when are we gonna see some pics of Miller's track? You DO have a camera right?

[cameraman]

It won't be done until spring and I'm not interested in driving to the other side of the Oquirrhs to look through a construction fence.

They are posting pictures here (http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/ConstUpdate.cfm)

[rabbit]

Never seen so many hills in my life. I thought I was in the freaking Rocky Mountains or something.
You need to get out more. :gomer:

[Napoleon]

So, how do I get into a Midwest Chapter of the Utah Z Club!? :) By comparison, I was able to do 4 sessions at a "One-day driver's school", sponsored by Fox Valley Motorsports, at the new Autobahn Country Club in Joliet Illinois in April...I think it was $275. (and worth it, it was a blast. I'm so jealous of you racer guys out there...but I have to DRIVE this thing for the next 4 years! :) )...PS, same track designer, 3.56 mi. (1.46 & 2.1)

What is the Autobahn Country Club?