Just an FYI for those interested...

I recently learned from a friend of mine that PMI has implemented some minor modifications. As I understand, "The Lake" as the MRA guys call it, at turn 9 has been remedied; the transition in turn 10 on to the main straight is being resurfaced; and there may be plans to resurface turn 1.

I think it's encouraging that PMI is maintaining the track. It suggests to me that the facility should be around for a while.

Joel

 

Turn 10 is being re-surfaced? Aw, man, it just won't have the same character without the 'skip-bounce-slide' multiple times while changing between 4 different types of paving while going through there. And it won't be an ice rink in the wet. What fun is that?

Joking, of course. I'm glad to hear they're doing this, and I'll be curious to see how long after the paving job is done that the drag lanes put all that rubber back down.

 

This is good to hear, Turn 10 pissed me off!!

 

Awesome! Glad to hear they are investing money to upgrading the track.

BTW Gary... PMI Drag Schedule

 

Just to clarify... I'm not certain that turn 10 is being completely resurfaced, but the folks at PMI are aware of the dangers there and are making an effort to make it safer. I hope that means that the turn will become one homogeneous material - we'll know soon when we're down there in early March.

Joel

 

Wow, it looks like they've got an extensive drag racing schedule this season. Hopefully the participation in those events, and the apparent money that they bring in, will help to maintain the track's visibility to the city (in a good way).

If it weren't so far away I might consider going to watch some of the events (but not participate...just not my thing).

 

Hopefully they'll consider removing that outside wall (as expensive as that would be), as it serves no purpose that I can see other than to keep cars from sliding out into the desert (which I always thought was one of the main benefits of having a track out there in the first place...nothing to hit!)

 

i hear a nascar track is going to be built near denver, anyone hear that?

 

NASCAR? What's that?

 

Here's a message from the track manager this morning:

"Good Morning David,
Fantastic results for your class. Yes we did put in a new drainage system on turn 9. A large portion of the area in turn 10 was replaced. There is just no money to replace the asphalt on turn 1. Just resurfacing that area would cost in excess of $50,000.00 which PMP does not have.

If I can assist you with any other info, please let me know."

So it looks like the pavement leading around the control tower has been replaced, but I'd expect to still see varying levels of traction around T10. Joel- I think the lack of runoff room in that particular corner must be due to drag racing regs. Similar tracks I've been to (Firebird in AZ is a good example) which use the drag strip launch pads as part of the road course have this burnout area enclosed like PMP. Guess we'll see when we get there- it should be an adventure!

 

The news conference from International Speedway Corp (ISC) says they will be studying sites on which to build a superspeedway near Denver. One of the sites is near the old Second Creek Raceway in Commerce City and it'll be terribly ironic if they get the go-ahead to build there!

Bottom line: while ISC has a lot of economic muscle, I wouldn't expect to see a track we can either spectate at, or race on, until 2010 at the earliest.

 

^^^Yeah, I saw that on the news too. My questions is IF they build it, what is the defination of a superspeedway? Kind of like Daytona?

 

Yep- Daytona on one coast and CA Speedway on the other are two good examples of superspeedways. They usually include high-banked turns, stadium-type seating and good sightlines from every seat in the house. These tracks also include what have been coined 'rovals'- a road course set up inside the track that allows some of the banks and straightaways to be utilized as part of the track configuration.

Good for CART, IRL, ALMS, Grand-Am, etc. (those who can afford the HUGE rental fees).

Kinda good for SCCA, NASA, Porsche or BMW Clubs, etc (those who can barely afford to rent the track occasionally).

Not at all good for average Joe racer (the vast majority who cannot afford $5,000/car to rent the track for a day).

 

Ha, I totally agree. And you have all right to say that.

 

thanks David. Whatever the course, I like the idea of having a racing culture in our city. It'll bring in more revenue, more shops and who knows, maybe we'll get to race on it one day.