The VIR autocross pad is only 300' x 300' and VIR is about 100 miles from
anywhere. But an absolutely great race track.
Woody Hair
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jamie Sculerati" <jamies@mrj.com>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: ProSolo, Spectators, TV, et al.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <dg50@daimlerchrysler.com>
> To: <autox@autox.team.net>
> >
> > A better case can be made if the site is co-located with an existing
> > motorsports facility.
>
> This is already happening in a few places. According to their
advertising,
> the "new" Virginia International Raceway complex has a space suitable for
> autocrossing. The folks running San Francisco Region's Thunderhill Park
> track have brought up the subject before, too. These two examples are
both
> working against better located and established venues, but the awareness
is
> there.
>
> > If you're building a NASCAR oval, then it'd be relatively trivial to
> either design a portion of the main parking > lot to accomodate autocross,
> or to pave the entire infield. Of course, if the
> > infield is paved, then you get to pay the operating costs for a NASCAR
> > facility for a weekend....
>
> With autocross becoming less of a secret sport, that could change with a
> little work. What's tougher is working out conflicts with higher-paying
> events at a track or any other sports site. Assuming people would come
and
> pay a buck or two to watch an autocross (not an outrageous possiblity if
> done right), that can't compete with the revenue generated by bigger
> motorsports events which need that same parking lot for spectators to park
> their cars. And don't even think of using the infield during a race....
>
> So you're either stuck locating a little-used, cash-hungry site, or
> foregoing the dual-use concept. You're probably better off finding a
> combination of both -- a place hungry enough to try out a new idea, and
> willing to adapt what they have (or invest in modifications) to allow you
to
> run events without the danger of getting kicked out at the last minute.
The
> Washington DC Region worked out a really slick deal with Summit Point to
use
> their training circuit last year (and again for two events this year) --
> which worked even while a road race was running on the adjacent main
> circuit. Spectator locations weren't the best, but with a little
> imagination, there were possbilities. I'll bet there are similar
> possibilities at regional tracks and testing grounds all over the U.S.
>
> Will people come to watch? The two primary sites the Metro Washington
> Council of Sports Car Clubs use are located where they are visible from
main
> thoroughfares -- and we have plenty of "drop-in" spectators, many (I'll
> hesitate to say "most") of which are not connected with any of the
> participants. That's with no advertising, no spectator accomodations, no
> nothing except something interesting going on in that parking lot over
> there....
>
> Jamie
> '92 Prelude Si
> Speed Demon Racing
> http://www.mindspring.com/~jsculerati/sdr
>
>
>
>
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