Palmer Motorsports Park gains local approval

[dtanthon]

Been quiet, any news?

[mossaidis]

As of Oct 2008, 'We are working with a major investor and builder and final approval is imminent. No construction yet. ' I don't know much more than that.

Also, check out: https://improvedtouring.com...t=23056&page=2

[Greg Amy]

There was a big game-changing announcement at the annual meeting yesterday. I'll let Dick Patullo get home this afternoon to offer the details (they had a Board meeting today and are all on their way home now), but as I understand it the track's been sold to a single investor. NER retains rights to a specific number of muffled and unmuffled days. This, of course, is all rumor and innuendo, because I wasn't there to hear it first hand.

Like I said, let's wait for Dick for the gory details. But, it's well and truly moving along...

[Ed Funk]

Announced last night at the meeting---all good news! Dick and multiple other folks did many years of hard work, and it paid off! Major investor, recognizable name, better track than originally envisioned! WOO-HOO!

On a slightly related note, at the Comp Board meeting today, Cathy Barnes suggested that Mr. Patullo be given a lavender T-shirt at the April Drivers School, labeled "Dick Instructor" For such a serious lady, she can be a grin!

THANKS Dick and all others who have worked so hard!

[dickita15]

Like I said, let's wait for Dick for the gory details. But, it's well and truly moving along...

The 16 people in the region (the region’s board and NER investments LLC’s board) who know the details of the contracts are bound by the terms of the contracts not to discuss the details at this time other than an exception to report to the membership which I did yesterday with reasonable detail and that report will be printed in Pit Talk as well.
However nothing prevents any member who heard the report from discussing it.
I will say people seemed pretty happy. I couldn’t but a drink all night.

[ulfelder]

The name of this track ought to be Patullo Motorsports Park. You are the man, Dick, and I hope you know we all realize it!

Steve Ulfelder
Flatout Motorsports
05 ITS

[Andy Bettencourt]

OK, so let's name something after him.

Big Bend could be 'Dick Bend'
Any hairpin could be the 'Dick-hair-pin'
Any LONG straight could be 'Dick Straight'
Cork Screws could be 'Dick Screw'

Oh yes, this track is gonna be fun.

[Greg Amy]

OK, so let's name something after him.

One of my favorite corners of all time (and a very difficult one to get right) is "The Bitch" at Hallett Motor Speedway. So, let's name the most difficult corner at Palmer after Mr Patullo appropriately...

Well done, my friend. I think you can plan on leaving your own beer at home each time we're at Palmer.

GA

[dickita15]

Bruce Allen had the best line so far, he said it should not be a corner at all, it should be a long, seemingly endless and sometimes bumpy uphill straight.

However NER’s deal does not include naming rights.

[dickita15]

I think you can plan on leaving your own beer at home each time we're at Palmer.

GA

just when we are at Palmer?

[Greg Amy]

just when we are at Palmer?

I love ya, Dick, but my gargantuan gratitude can only go so far...

Are you still "involved" in planning and such going forward, or are you pulling the ripcord on your participation in the project?

[dickita15]

Understood Greg, I have always known you had limitations.
I am still representing NER’s interests in the project until the closing but the core investor is in the lead during the approvals of some small modifications to the approvals. Might be wrapped up by July.

[BruceG]

OK, so let's name something after him.

Big Bend could be 'Dick Bend'
Any hairpin could be the 'Dick-hair-pin'
Any LONG straight could be 'Dick Straight'
Cork Screws could be 'Dick Screw'

Oh yes, this track is gonna be fun.

We could call the straight "Dick Flatout"...ar,ar

[StephF]

So what's up with Palmer?
No news is good news?
Any idea when a potential ground breaking will happen?

[BruceG]

Only first gen RX7's need apply..right Dick...LOL

[dickita15]

Actually things have been slow since February. Others cash flow caused the engineering to slow way down, however last month the taps were turned back on and 4 different companies are working again doing Civil engineering, environmental engineering, test bores and some exploratory excavation.
Current hopes are closing by 12/31 and racing by mid 2011.

[ner88]

Why worry about a new track? Without workers and racers what would we do with it?
Sorry, I just had to say it!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Why worry about a new track? Without workers and racers what would we do with it?
Sorry, I just had to say it!

If you only had one or two weekends at every track, then you would have workers AND racers!

Sorry, I just had to say it!

2 at NHMS
2 at LRP
2 at Palmer

Then add the 'other tracks'

2 at NJMP (1 at TB and 1 at Lightning)
1 at WGI
1 at Pocono

10 weekends, more tracks.

[ner88]

Andy, in your circle, drivers are willing and can afford to travel.
There are at leaset an equal amount that for many reasons stay local.
Are you saying race weekends/events or NARRC races?
If you are asking each region to only run two events, I don't see it happening.

[StephF]

Why worry about a new track? Without workers and racers what would we do with it?
Sorry, I just had to say it!

LRP: On the verge of no longer being affordable. May go away.
NHMS: Not as user friendly to us since it was sold, could also go away as far as SCCA is concerned.

Where we are in western MA, about 30 minutes from Palmer, it's like this:
LRP 1.5 hour tow
NHMS: 1.75 hour tow
NJMP: 8 hour tow
Pocono: 6 hour tow
Watkins Glen: 7 hour tow

Lots of people can't or don't want to travel such long distances to race or work.
THAT'S why we need to worry about a new track now before we lose them. And I can see a time when LRP is no longer an option.
We lose the two tracks, we no longer have a 'home track' here in New England. No matter how many events there may be, losing your area's track will not be a good thing for the region.