Plans for new road course approved
08:57 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 21, 2005



6NEWS

Construction of the state's first dedicated road race course was approved Monday night.


Construction of the state’s first dedicated road race course is now just months away. Construction of the course could help an area hard-hit by textile mills closing.


The High Rock International Raceway will be built between highway 29 and Interstate 85 at the site of the old North Carolina Finishing Mill.


It’s a simple truth that there isn’t much in the northern end of Rowan County, not since the mill shut down and 400 people lost their jobs.


Developers said this new construction could pump $100 million into the local economy and could put thousands into the pockets of those people who lost their jobs.


“I had no idea what I was going to do with it,” admitted Dave Risdon, the developer of the project.


Now his plan for a road course at the old mill is approved.

“We really think we have the tiger by the tail,” said Risdon.


The course will feature corkscrew turns and straightaways, and there are already car clubs waiting for it to be built.


“There’s tons of events out there that are vying for track time, so groups are looking for new venues,” said Risdon.


He said NASCAR won’t race there but he thinks it would be a great place for them to test. Currently NASCAR teams test out of state.


“They could come from Mooresville, test, and go home,” he said.


The track also gives hope for work to some of the workers who lost $160,000 in retirement when the mill closed. And of course, it would put something back in the north end of the county.


Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and is expected to open by next summer. The track is privately funded.

 

Sweet.. The article seems kinda odd though...

 

Do you have a link to bigger pictures of the design ect?

 

Can't find a webpage for the track.

And building an entire track in a year? Doubtful.

But, more tracks is a good thing, so no complaints here.

 

I hope it goes...only hour away that would make about 8 tracks within a few hours of Charlotte. WOOT

Here are some links I found
http://www.theautochannel.com/....html
http://charlotte.bizjournals.c....html
http://www.motorsport.com/news...INESS
http://www.racingfanatics.com/...e.htm
http://www.hriders.com/news_details.cfm?newsID=591

They are all very similar in what they say...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Toad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that would make about 8 tracks within a few hours of Charlotte.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i really need to get the gf to want to move down there... damnit!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike C &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i really need to get the gf to want to move down there... damnit! </TD></TR></TABLE>

I will be there or raleigh soon enough

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I will be there or raleigh soon enough</TD></TR></TABLE>

leave that mom of yours up there.....bish still owes me money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Tran &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

leave that mom of yours up there.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont feel like renting a double-wide to bring her fat *** down there

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont feel like renting a double-wide to bring her fat *** down there</TD></TR></TABLE>

couldnt you just re-install the wheels on her current 'house' ?

 

I drove right past the site of the old Finishing plant last week on my way to VIR. It's right off I-85 at exit 83 (hwy 150). Plan on ~ 1 hour from Greensboro and Charlotte. They haven't started demolition of the plant yet, so I can't see this being done in a year. I'll bet it'll be early '07. The area has some good elevation changes and the scenery right on the lake is quite nice. Should be a very, very nice place.

I stopped for biodiesel and checked out the local barbeque in Salisbury. Mmmmm...barbeque......

 

Don't hold your breath. The last article I saw on this subject described a deal that was long on enthusiasm and short on dough. The plan, as I recall it, is to advance-sell memberships (a la the VIR countryclub model), to fund the project.

That's a little like putting out a January press release describing the upcoming season's goals and plans of a new racing team, when the effort is counting on as-yet-unsecured sponsorship money to build the car before the racing starts.

K

 

Not meaning to take this OT, but what is up with Dragon's Ridge?

 

Looks like Alan Wilson strikes again.
Hard to tell without elevation changes in the map, but it looks like CMP v.2.

Scott, who is just SURE somebody else in the US can design a road course.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Knestis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't hold your breath. The last article I saw on this subject described a deal that was long on enthusiasm and short on dough.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. I'm not gonna get excited until I'm unloading my car in its paddock. Until then, it is just a dream.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Track rat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I agree. I'm not gonna get excited until I'm unloading my car in its paddock. Until then, it is just a dream.</TD></TR></TABLE>


ditto....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks like Alan Wilson strikes again.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I said the same thing. I particularly (dis)like the 120 degree hairpin, ala Sebring. There's a reason that turn is no longer there.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks like Alan Wilson strikes again.
Hard to tell without elevation changes in the map, but it looks like CMP v.2.

Scott, who is just SURE somebody else in the US can design a road course.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Based on one of the articles; you are correct.

We can only hope it isn't as bad as CMP. Looks like "only" two slow corners.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">somebody else in the US can design a road course.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Didn't Peter Krause (of Krause&England fame) help design VIRs north and south course cross-overs?

 

I don't know if he designed it, but he sure as heck knows every crack, bump and subtle camber change on the entire course. I've never heard anyone describe a track and its little secrets with the level of detail that Peter does.

 

how do you get into the track design biz? i made some awesome stuff in excite bike for nintendo!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MMsportsRexSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how do you get into the track design biz? i made some awesome stuff in excite bike for nintendo!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, that left me speechless with laughter!!!!!!!!!! (everyone in my office is looking at me wondering why is that guy laughing)

I think then you may have a future in 1 dimensional track design.

 

no but seriously... it was supposed to be a joke... but how do you get into it? i'd be all over it!

 

I live in the COUNTY that they opening the track in....If any of yall need help finding the track or info. about my COUNTY give me a buzz. And my DA9 integra should be ready for it opening up of the track....they had something in the newspaper about the track that the track will be open to the public all the time.

 

Modified by paRRRker at 11:37 AM 6/24/2005