Thermal 122

http://www.thermal122.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

So has anyone looked into this yet...They are supposed to start construction this month. The concept seems great...but pricing is expensive (I guess that is relative)...It is out in BFE, but I have been out there before...My employer has a hanger there and some cars, etc..PGA is 5mins away...Seems risky if they do not get enough takers, the original guys are screwed...If i were a pilot with a small plane, it would seem sensible...but since not, seems too far out...

 

I'd be careful before putting down a deposit. I had a friend who lost a $20k condo deposit on the defunct High Rock track here in NC.

Make sure the developer has extremely deep pockets - contact a commercial real estate banker in the area who knows the principals.

And of course have an attorney review the documents. What you don't want is for your "deposit" dollars to be going into the developers coffers to fund construction. I would want any deposit to be held in a separate trust account - not to be used at the developer's discretion.

Do your homework and good luck. Looks like an incredible project if they can pull it off. The 4.5 mile Grand Prix configuration looks challenging.

 

The promoters seem to have a permanent office at the La Qinta Spa and Resort in La Quinta. I have been there several times and noticed a display out front next to the hotel lobby entrance. I also saw them put on a Christmas mixer in December on the lawn equipped with a few new cars from Desert Motors on display. Apparently, there are some high net worth individuals behind this who want a place to play during the winter months while they escape from colder climes.

I need to find out more about this place since I have a 2nd home out there near the resort.

 

Yeah, I have a little bit of experience with these guys. They've been talking with us about getting some simulators to publicise the project and then later using them for training when the facility is built. They took us out there to see the lot, plans and their office at La Quinta. It seems like a good project with some decent dollars behind it. They have yet to pull the trigger on the simulators though

 

I think the money they've spent on marketing trying to raise money to build a track would have built a track by now

 

good deals always go thru
get funded, and so on.

bad deals,------

 

true, and I have to think that Chuckwalla being so close has hurt Thermal's chances as well.

 

This is a real deal. They are moving dirt, building the track, and progressing well. Private track side lots for garages, timing tower, clubhouse, Kart track, Sheriff and Fire Stations right next door, membership in PGA West, adjacent airport, and very well funded. Where else can you get up in the morning, have a workout at a high-level fitness facility, go to the track, get in your own car, (whichever you choose for that day), drive it like you want, have lunch with your car-guy friends, go play 18 holes of golf, have happy-hour with your golfing buddies, and then meet up with your wife, who has been shopping, playing tennis, or at the spa all day, (or on the track with you), and take her out to a five-star restaurant for dinner, haven driven only about fifteen miles (off the track) all day? Then, the next day, you can get up and do it all over again! Or do something different! And do this all winter, when most of the tracks in the country are closed!

 

Yep. Sure is. They have bought a simulator from us as well and had us build out the track virtually. The have professional drivers testing it in order make sure it's a fun and challenging layout. I have to say, these guys are pretty first class all the way.

I can't wait to drive it in real life!

 

My only concern is that they were pitching this full force a couple of years ago and were supposedly "moving dirt" within a month or so back then. If I remember correctly the anticipated timeline back then would have translated to asphalt right now as we enter 2012. Is there asphalt or are they still moving dirt? Understandably the economic environment is a little different today which may have delayed things but that begs the question even more - do they have enough of a commitment to go all the way? They have certainly spent alot of money promoting the concept and attempting to sign up members/investors but I've always been wary of projects that require a certain level of initial participation/deposits in order to trigger other levels of funding to eventually get the job done. I certainly wish the project all the success in the world and would even be interested in joining once I see it up and running. For the time being I'm spinning my wheels (literally) at another motorsports ranch outside Vegas!

 

web site just says "Coming Fall 2012"

http://www.thermal122.com/