As if the loss of Second Creek Raceway and Pikes Peak Intl weren't bad enough, I just learned that we are losing another Colorado track. Continental Divide Raceway, previously known as Mountain View or the Mead track, is apparently shutting down. Apparently, the owner, Larry Miller of Utah has thrown in the towel after getting some negative feedback on the state of the track. Word is that he has even had concrete monoblocks put at different parts of the track to prevent anyone from sneaking on and turning a few.

This is possibly some of the worst news to come down, as the pressure on PMI and LaJunta will increase exponentially. The SCCA, vintage and marque clubs will all be forced to fight for any open dates available. The 2006 SCCA road racing schedule is already up in the air and the news will really impact the Time Trials program that was counting on CDR. No more easy commutes to the track for Denver area Z owners. If you went to run one of the last free days at SCR earlier in the month, savor it, it'll be a long time before we enjoy that experience again.

Sorry for the negative tone, but there's no sugarcoating this...

 

Isn't Bandamere race track still operating? (haven't been in Colorado for a long time)

 

Yes, Bandimere is still the premier dragstrip in the Denver metro area.

 

This is just a bad dream, right? We go from having the cheapest track days in the country with possibly the most numerous options within a short driving distance of home, to having 3 of our 5 tracks close down, all in the space of a MONTH. Are you kidding?

Looks like I picked the wrong time to consider buying a race car, with all the tracks closing down

Maybe we'll all have to take up karting.

 

Maybe you all should take up drag racing. I could be the next DkMura!!!!

But seriously, how bout taking your cars to the strip for a few runs.

Mudd

 

LMAO!! While I love my Tilton flywheel/clutch setup for road racing, it's a severe handicap for drag racing. 60' times would be ridiculous! Still, when next season comes around, maybe Brian should get a Bandimere track day going.

I'm still in a funk over this. Where are we going to go for some serious driving fun in '06?

 

Ah so you got that clutch/fly. How's the driveability of it.. is it as controversial as it sounds?

 

+1 I have heard alot about that flywheel too.

 

Not to take us too far off this thread, but I plan to write a tech article about the Tilton combo in a future issue of Sport Z. It would address not only drivability, but the four-season, daily driving experience and durability as well.

I will say this- if CDR had remained open, it would have been interesting to see how many revs the Tilton would have freed in my VQ at one of the SCCA Time Trial events scheduled there. It was a blast to drive in the last few days at SCR!

 

I bet it was indeed, but to keep the thread on topic (doh!), what real options for tracks are left?? Just bandimere?

 

PMI? I think you mean PPIR. PMI/PMP is the drag strip/road course in Pueblo. PPIR is the oval track in Fountain (AMA, IRL, Busch Series) that the SCCA uses the parking lot for their events.

 

Unfortunately, Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) has closed as on 10/31/05. Bought out by mega conglomerate ISC as they wanted the track's NASCAR dates and no competition for future expansion. PPIR's 1.4 mile road circuit will be sorely missed and it is truly a shame that ISC is mandating no motorsports activity to any potential buyer. I'm hoping against hope that the beaufiful pavement will be somehow resurrected.

In the meantime, our options are the 2.2 mile PMI road course and the relatively short 1.4 mile LaJunta circuit in SE Colorado. We've run Z track days at both locales in the past. Any interest in getting a another one together early next year before all the dates are gone?

 

Interested... Keep me posted.

 

You know I'm game. I have weekends off with my new job, so any weekend in the spring will be great, preferrably early March if possible before my baby's born. I still have plenty of tread left on my Yoko's to burn off, so if someone can put a track day together, I'd really appreciate it. I cannot believe Mead is going now too. What is going to happen with Time Trials? No one wants to drive to La Junta and PMI isn't approved, is it?
Will

 

Will- No decisions as yet for the SCCA TT series. I'm sure they're scratching their heads and considering options right now. I heard at the last event that PMI was not considered an option because of the speeds reached on the front straight and the difficulty in coning it down safely. We'll just have to see what develops, but the loss of CDR really hurts that program.

OK- sounds like we have two that are interested. Anymore?

 

You know I would be interested fo shizzle.

 

I'm in.

 

Got 5 on it. LOL So where are we gonna go?

 

Given a choice, I would say Pueblo. But I'll happily go back to La Junta if that's what's available.

 

My sentiments exactly.
Will