Attention race fans...new race track in Ontario

New major track complex proposed in Ont.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/bustech/story.html?id=2cbfd104-d0b4-4449-9255-54548208528f

 

Interesting...maybe if Bernie likes it the Canadian Grand Prix will have a new home.

 

Very Exciting!

 

I agree.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=252774&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines

This bit of news may help as well....


Cheers !

 

I can hear it now...The 2011 Nortel Canadian Grand Prix hosted at the glamorous Fort Erie Speedway...

If they're smart about it, they do need to include a road course. However, Grand Am KONI runs at Iowa Speedway on their road course, which is inside the 7/8 mile oval, and they run just 45 second laps. Not so fast or exciting.

 

In addition to the Oval lap , they did mention about a road course which seems to be a bit short; only 4 KM. I think if they can make it bigger then it is much better.

 

Ah, look at that. 4 km is a great length for a road course. My two 'home' tracks are just shy of 4 km--Mosport and Mid-Ohio. However, near Fort Erie the land is flat, so it wouldn't have any significant elevation changes.

 

This may sound funny. Why don't they just run a F1 race on the Toronto indy street track?

All of the new races in F1 are street tracks anyways.

At least Vasco can watch the race from his roof....

 

I don't disagree with you that 4KM like Mosport is actually a good length but when I tried Calabogie track which is 5.05 KM with 20 turns then I tend to like a longer track better because when I tracked back at Mosport I didn't have that feeling again; I felt it was a bit short. It is just a personal feeling. Don't get me wrong, I like to track at Mosport very much indeed.

 

Its a great track when you're not running over dead raccoons and coffee cups.

And the Port-o-lets are in better shape than the facility bathrooms.

Mosport needs to be overhauled big time. Why can't we get a decent track in the GTA area? There is lots of demand for it.

 

WTF is wrong with you, Lucas? You're always spouting this nonsense about Mosport. When was the last time you were there? In fact, when was the last time you turned a wheel at any race track?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Mosport. Perhaps you're a hater because it's not a track for little boys.

 

LOL !

B-Mak, I'm only teasing with those comments..........I just love to getting you boiled.

I was at Mosport 2 years ago, and the track is in fair condition.

I'm just p-off because we have such a strong automotive community in Ontario, but there are no world-class tracks to showcase our young talent on. Our driver developent could be so much stronger if we had a solid track and training in place here. My negativity towards Mosport is reflected for this reason only.

 

On that Mosport note. It would have been nice if these investors bought the Mosport from Panoz and spent the money it deserves. Re-do it from top to bottom including gold plated port-o-lets for Starboi . The fact that this possible new track does not have challenging hills and dips bothers me. But I guess the fact of being near wine country & the US far exeeds what Bowmanville has to offer...

 

Vasco, that's exactly what I mean.

Mosport WAS a spectacular track in the '70s when F1 raced there. It was perfectly suited for international racing back then.

But the track, and the facilites haven't changed since the '70s !

"If you build it, they will come".

 

Personally, I love Mosport.

Its a very challenging track, its cheap for daily rentals and close enough to GTA for me. Sure it could use some upgrades but its one of the best tracks for "drivers" in N. America. If you think there is a big enough demand for another track closer to Toronto I commend you, do a study and I'll go raise you the money to build it. BUT, I have talked to several debt/equity guys, they haven't seen a study that backs this up without the participation, and heavy participation at that, from a manufacturer to support it with a heavy equity stake. The automotive industry is keeling over so we are stuck with Mosport (not a bad thing).

I do about 5 track days a year at Mosport and always look forward to it, I just ignore the facilities and focus on the corners, thats why I go.

Cheers.

 

WTF are you talking about? Is the crack really inexpensive up there in Vaughan?

The track and facilities were updated years ago and track remains the most challenging course in North America, if not the world, but I shouldn't expect you to know that. Your interest and involvement in motor racing seems to be limited by what you watch on the tee vee.

 

WTF are you talking about?

The track facilites are total P.O.S. The pits are non-existent, there are no showering and change facilities.
The parking lots are full of pot holes and beer bottles, and are a mixture of mud and gravel. The grassy area is littered with cans and Tim Hortons cups.

Eating and drinking consists of various broken vending machines, and a bunch of rotten trailers which serve french fries and burgers.

That was fine in the '70s and 80's. But by modern world circuit standards, Mosport is a neglected disgrace.

There has been little investment there aside from re-paving, and a few updates to the facilities. I'm surprised the ALMS still race here.

I totally agree with B-Mak and Carbon, the track is great for racing, and is very challenging, I'm not arguing that. But in order to meet today's tough standards, the track is far behind, and in need of corporate sponsors/shareholders/government investment to bring it back to life. Mosport is just like everything else thats wrong with Canada, we simply can't execute anything properly.

And B-Mak, my interest in Motor racing is far beyond what you assume it is.

Don't even get me started about Shannonville......

 

Okay, so put together a business plan, a management team and some team sponsership. I'll raise the secured debt financing and you can do something about it.

Seriously, I'll do it, I'm not trying to be a prick, I do it for a living.

We are lucky to have any track at all, given the recession I'm sure you could negotiate a very good deal for the property and have all the toilets and gourmet food you want.

Make sure to send me the business plan, I'll help you with it.

Cheers

Scott

 

Scott, I'm not trying to develop a new racetrack here, I'm only complaining about the ones we have.

My family and friends have already inquired about building a race facility near Innisfil on land which we own. There is absolutely no chance of having any sort of dragstrip, or track in the GTA or Barrie area at this point. We've also inquired about building a track in Orangeville, no chance either.

I don't think you guys get the point here....Ontario has ZERO investment in auto racing. No wonder we don't have any top drivers in any major series. (Paul Tracy and B-Mak don't count).

 

The crack smoking is strong with you, otherwise, I can't determine any other reason for your irrational position about Mosport.

Wrong.

The pits are in excellent condition. The paved paddock has been expanded by a multiple of the original.

As a driver, I don't really visit any "grassy area" unless I'm going to certain corners to observe. I also don't park in public parking areas, so I can't comment about refuse. Tim Hortons cups? I'm not surprised--that's what they all drink in 905.

Plus, who needs "showering and change" facilities when you either have a coach on site or a hotel room close by? I've showered at one race track ever.

Wrong again. Plus, what do you think you get at other tracks?

Wrong again. Which tracks have you been to in the last three years that you can cite as better examples of a sports car track?

Me? Here's a short list: VIR, Road America, Watkins Glen, Sebring, Putnam Park, Mont Tremblant and about a dozen other minor club tracks, plus some I'm forgetting. And Mosport stacks up nicely against any of these.

The facility has everything ALMS needs. I really don't know what you think is required.

What are "today's tough standards"?

You mean like Mont Tremblant?

OK, baller, do tell.

 

B-Mak, you're entire problem here is that you are looking at Mosport from a drivers perspective.

Try looking at it from a spectator/sponsors prerspective. (Ie. people like me)

From "our" standpoint, the track is poorly managed.

I love watching races, (cas and bikes) at Mosport, but you know what?
I haven't been to a race there in 2 years just because the track stinks and I'd rather not drive 2 hours to sit in filth.

We are the ones who are buying the tickets and paying for you people to race here. Without us, you and merry band of drivers wouldn't have any wheels or asphalt to drive with.

 

My entire problem is something altogether different. Your entire problem is that you don't know how to have a good time at a race track. Why sit in stands when you can pay for VIP hospitality? What are you expecting, anyway? An antiseptic fan experience that you get at the Rogers Centre?

Sponsors don't have any of these issues that you seem to and you're clearly not speaking for them. They have hospitality and teams know how how to look after sponsors. Fans are willing to travel and deal with it. Let's face it, sports car racing isn't the easiest sport of which to be a fan. So, don't be so smug, chuckles. This merry band of drivers can do just fine without you, just as we've done for decades.

 

Its actually my point EXACTLY....if you were turned down for Orangeville and Innisfil then take that idea, approach Panoz an takeover the Mosport facilty. Less work, insurance and enviro permitting is already done, its known and renowned as a world class track already and has existing cash flow.

Simple. No?

Surely if you have the means to investigate a new facilty why not just take that and improve an existing one?

Show me where the incremental revenue from better toilet facilities and a cleaner parking lot will drive cash flow and you are good to go.

Its easy to complain, its in our nature. Effecting change is far more difficult but you seem to have a passion for both so I think you should go for it. As my partner says "You can either put up or shut up, turning a company around takes balls, a better plan and bags of cash. Prove you have the first two and we'll provide the third"

Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight or be a prick, I just want to see the math and the method.

Cheers!

 

As we all know he owns both the ALMS and Mosport. Scott mentionned someone should pry it away from Dan & Don and clean it up and make it world class again. I completly agree. Sad that a multi-multi millionaire family cannot see this. It would be great to see more series race there.

BUT, I am definetly with Brian, I do think it's probably one of the best & challenging tracks there is. I have 0 miles and 0 experience on that track for what it's worth....just my .02