facilities and track upgrades in the works I hear...

[kbrew8991]

talked a little bit with new (or soon to be new) track manager Bryan Smith of Turn One Motorsports (they do trackdays and such I understand...)

There is already construction of a new timing and control tower, and the 5 year plan they have in the works should bring CMP up to fancy-smancy level facilities with day garages, paved paddock, skidpad area, kart track, a repave of the track with some additional configurations using the recently aquired neighboring acerage beyond turns 8, 12 and 13 as well as possibly an alternate configuration for the love-it-or-hate-it turn 11 to 14 complex

I'll be sure to add more as I hear of things breaking ground, being set in stone, and so forth, but for now it sounds very promising

[Skeen]

This is excellent news. I was glad to see the work they're already doing. They need to get on top of the track condition first though, the track is getting slower quickly (I know it was hot, but still); if they don't do the repave in the next year or so (preferably this winter) they will likely lose some interest.

[Stack]

Thats awesome info Ken... we're hoping that the new tower/classroom building will be ready for our August 3-5 weekend...

As far as Turn One... I haven't heard details yet, but Bryan must have transitioned from Turn One to track manager. The former Turn One building is now owned (or at least occupied) by Richard Leslie Racing.

Maybe Turn One now owns (or at least manages) the track?

This news may be bitter-sweet though, as CMP was expensive enough as it is... while upgrades are needed and welcome, I know it'll mean even higher prices to rent the track.

[Skeen]

Yes, but...you'll draw bigger crowds with the improvements (especially track layout, as many people hate the "autox" section). Hopefully that can offset the inevitable higher rates.

[Stack]

Originally Posted by Skeen

Yes, but...you'll draw bigger crowds with the improvements (especially track layout, as many people hate the "autox" section). Hopefully that can offset the inevitable higher rates.

Hopefully

[kbrew8991]

Carolina Motorsports Park Presents Plans to Expand Under New Management


KERSHAW, S.C. (July 30, 2007)–Carolina Motorsports Park announced today a new management team. Brian Smith and Jochen Tartak will be taking over for the retiring Mickey Clyburn who has managed the race track since its inception. Smith and Tartak are professional drivers and instructors with 25-plus years of experience in the motorsports industry, in both the performance and marketing sides of the racing world.

The new management has an aggressive five-year plan which will include the development of a motorsports country club as an integral part of the expansion and new direction for Carolina Motorsports Park. More information about the Carolina Motorsports Park's country club will be announced in the coming weeks.

There will be no immediate changes in current operations and offerings to clientele, only additions to the existing successful business structure. The track's current clientele includes organizations such as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), National Auto Sport Association (NASA), Porsche Club of America (PCA), BMW Car Club Of America (BMWCCA), WERA, NESBA, CCR, AHRMA as well as teams who compete in NASCAR, Champ Car, ALMS, Grand AM, Koni Challenge and World Challenge, who use the track for testing.

Carolina Motorsports Park was designed by famed track designer Alan Wilson and built in 1999 by a group of investors led by Bob Humphreys and Joe Hooker. Carolina Motorsports Park is a 2.235-mile 14-turn road course located in Kershaw, S.C. about 65 miles south of Charlotte, N.C. For more information go to www.carolinamotorsportspark.com or call 803-475-2448.

[Stack]

To back up Ken's info... at our event last weekend, Brian Smith, one of the new track managers was very open with their plans. I even had him speak to each of our classroom groups to fill everyone in.

I can't tell you how excited I am about the future of CMP. It's always been one of my favorites as it sits, but if the changes come anywhere CLOSE to the current rendition we saw, it will end up being an amazing circuit!

The actual new configuration is not yet set in stone, but it does sound like A change IS set in stone. Actually two major configuration changes are planned. The first to happen will be a reconfiguring of the "autocross" section. Including a softening of two turns, and the bypass of another in favor of a short set if esses. Possibly even an addition of another few turns beyond where T14 is currently. The second major change would be an addition of a Watkins Glen "Boot-esque" section after Turn 8 or 9, rejoining the track where the current T10 "The Kink" is. VERY cool if you ask me. This would most likely also include some more elevation changes which the track sorely needs.

In addition to the circuit reconfigure, there is also a re-paving of the entire circuit planned. All the paddock cross-roads will be paved, and possibly might also include concrete aprons on which people could work on the cars instead of on the asphalt or grass/sand. Day garages, as well as permanent garages are planned. Also a kart track, and possibly a skidpad.

Dedicated classroom building, and a true separate pit lane after the full reconfigure to allow for the splitting of the track and simultaneous usage.

Oh yeah... and of course, the gators will be fixed so they won't damage your car if you get on them... possibly even including the very European (and very smart if you ask me) concrete honeycomb aprons on the outside of the gators to hopefully prevent ruts.

I might try my hand at some photochopping to give you guys an idea of the layout changes

[kbrew8991]

garages under construction

[Skeen]

...and paddock paved! Nice. I assume that means the track is paved as well (at least the new stuff).

[Stack]

I can't wait to get back... has anyone seen a final rendering of what the changes are? Do we know yet if it ended up being like the drawings they were showing back in August?