Possible autocross site at High Rock International Raceway?

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:10 pm

I sent an email to Steve Johnson pres of SCCA about this possible AX site.
I got a reply yesterday that he would pass the info on to their newly formed site aquisition committee and their area director to lend support.
SCCA could really use a permanent available site here for national events that would be central to the E. US. They have lost the use of VMP and Fed Ex, and Michelin has stopped making the black lake available for AX. The next closest venue is Toledo OH. (Atl is a stop gap that is really too small)

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:23 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

I sent an email to Steve Johnson pres of SCCA about this possible AX site.
I got a reply yesterday that he would pass the info on to their newly formed site aquisition committee and their area director to lend support.
SCCA could really use a permanent available site here for national events that would be central to the E. US. They have lost the use of VMP and Fed Ex, and Michelin has stopped making the black lake available for AX. The next closest venue is Toledo OH. (Atl is a stop gap that is really too small)

Does Steve Johnson have the ability to make land appear out of thin air? Again, I ask, where would this 23 acre asphalt pad go on that map? I think you guys have hopes of something that is impossible.

Chris Overcash · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:45 pm

Rich Anderson wrote:

Chuck Frank wrote:

I sent an email to Steve Johnson pres of SCCA about this possible AX site.
I got a reply yesterday that he would pass the info on to their newly formed site aquisition committee and their area director to lend support.
SCCA could really use a permanent available site here for national events that would be central to the E. US. They have lost the use of VMP and Fed Ex, and Michelin has stopped making the black lake available for AX. The next closest venue is Toledo OH. (Atl is a stop gap that is really too small)

Does Steve Johnson have the ability to make land appear out of thin air? Again, I ask, where would this 23 acre asphalt pad go on that map? I think you guys have hopes of something that is impossible.

Perhaps what is shown on the map isn't all they have planned to develop. It does say "Phase 1" on the map. In the articles on CCR's website condo's, cottages, and a restaurant are also mentioned. I assume those are what is located on the North end of the site but it is hard to tell which squares are designated as what. If they are in fact condo/cottages there are very few of them.

Seems to me that there would be more which could possibly be part of another phase of construction where there is room for the 1000x1000 parking lot. Pure speculation on my part. However I would take the word of the CCR individual who actually spoke with the owner over a barely legible site rendering that may not include everything that is to be developed.

MilesBeam · **Joined:** Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:57 pm **Posts:** 427

No speculatin necessary. I'll try to get hold of the planners and see what I can find out and try to encourage them in their 23 acre asphalt pad.

Miles

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:23 am

Chris Overcash wrote:

Perhaps what is shown on the map isn't all they have planned to develop. It does say "Phase 1" on the map.

Good point. I totally missed the Phase I on the map. I for one hope that they have the ability to do. But, based on the published info, it doesn't appear in the cards yet.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:02 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

I sent an email to Steve Johnson pres of SCCA about this possible AX site.
I got a reply yesterday that he would pass the info on to their newly formed site aquisition committee and their area director to lend support.
SCCA could really use a permanent available site here for national events that would be central to the E. US. They have lost the use of VMP and Fed Ex, and Michelin has stopped making the black lake available for AX. The next closest venue is Toledo OH. (Atl is a stop gap that is really too small)

Why do you keep saying we've "lost" FedEx and VMP? Both were deemed "too expensive", but they haven't gone insane that I can tell.

I'm interested in seeing this Solo cost breakdown that we're supposed to see from National Office in the next couple weeks. With all the rumbling from people about being willing to pay extra for Pro sites that are awesome (and FedEx is, I think), you may see a change in how "available" those sites are.

--Donnie

Rick Butters · **Posted:** Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:08 am

From the CCR website forums:

Quote:

News from the meeting:

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners unnanimously approved the permit to allow the construction of High Rock International Raceway.

A big thanks to all who came out. I dont have an exact count but there seemed to be 20 to 30, some CCR, Triad, NASA, and some who are in the business side of racing. There were at least 8 people who came forward to address the Board on the benefits of this, including a close neighbor of the proposed track and an adjacent property owner.

This is an exciting project and I am very glad that Rowan County recognized the benefit of this. Since the owner isnt asking for any money from Rowan, I think their decision was clear.

Nothing is set in stone, and things change, but they are considering paving part of a 20 acre tract adjacent to the track for autocrossing. The size stated was 1500ft x 750ft.

Last night was a major step forward. Nothing could have continued without the Board's approval. Open support made a difference.

Thanks to all who came out.
They hope to be open by spring of 2007.

I will be in contact with them throughout.

Sincerely
Rick Disbrow
#15 SM Corolla

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:02 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Chuck Frank wrote:

I sent an email to Steve Johnson pres of SCCA about this possible AX site.
I got a reply yesterday that he would pass the info on to their newly formed site aquisition committee and their area director to lend support.
SCCA could really use a permanent available site here for national events that would be central to the E. US. They have lost the use of VMP and Fed Ex, and Michelin has stopped making the black lake available for AX. The next closest venue is Toledo OH. (Atl is a stop gap that is really too small)

Why do you keep saying we've "lost" FedEx and VMP? Both were deemed "too expensive", but they haven't gone insane that I can tell.

I'm interested in seeing this Solo cost breakdown that we're supposed to see from National Office in the next couple weeks. With all the rumbling from people about being willing to pay extra for Pro sites that are awesome (and FedEx is, I think), you may see a change in how "available" those sites are.

--Donnie

As I understand it, the issues with VMP and FedX as well as other venues is not the price, it's that the venues will not grant a guaranteed availability contract for the lots. They want the right to cancel right up to the last minute if they find someone willing to pay more for it. National headqtrs books the venues 6 or more months out, won't schedule an event and have 100's show up without a place to race. They've BTDT too many times already don't want another T-shirt.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

The issue as I understand it depends on the two venues:

VMP is a DRAG RACING parking lot, and they make a lot more money if someone wants to rent out their facility for that, and have reneged on more than one occasion. Additionally, sound restrictions for that venue mean that 1st car off is no earlier than noon on Sundays. Difficult to run an event that way.

FedEx Field is different. The DC SCCA chapter makes money by selling out that venue every time that they run it. They do IIRC two different events a DAY (am, pm) and run through about 300 drivers. Why sell themselves short to Nationals where they do all the work, but then have to send more of their profit money to Topeka? I sure as crap wouldn't.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:46 am

Rick Butters wrote:

From the CCR website forums:

Quote:

but they are considering paving part of a 20 acre tract adjacent to the track for autocrossing. The size stated was 1500ft x 750ft.

I still wanna know how they are gonna put 25 acres of asphalt on a 20 acre tract. :whoknows:

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:03 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

I still wanna know how they are gonna put 25 acres of asphalt on a 20 acre tract. :whoknows:

Don't let reality get in the way of people's dreams Ryan!

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Hills.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:22 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

Rick Butters wrote:

From the CCR website forums:

Quote:

but they are considering paving part of a 20 acre tract adjacent to the track for autocrossing. The size stated was 1500ft x 750ft.

I still wanna know how they are gonna put 25 acres of asphalt on a 20 acre tract. :whoknows:

Section off 12.5 acres. Pave it twice. Come on Ryan, this is basic math!

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:23 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Ryan Holton wrote:

Rick Butters wrote:

From the CCR website forums:

Quote:

but they are considering paving part of a 20 acre tract adjacent to the track for autocrossing. The size stated was 1500ft x 750ft.

I still wanna know how they are gonna put 25 acres of asphalt on a 20 acre tract. :whoknows:

Section off 12.5 acres. Pave it twice. Come on Ryan, this is basic math!

I think Ryan considers that an industry secret! :wink:

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:39 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

Rick Butters wrote:

From the CCR website forums:

Quote:

but they are considering paving part of a 20 acre tract adjacent to the track for autocrossing. The size stated was 1500ft x 750ft.

I still wanna know how they are gonna put 25 acres of asphalt on a 20 acre tract. :whoknows:

I thought that the extra asphalt is used to pave the driveways and parking lots of friends and cronies?

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