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Race Track Project

Discussion in 'California & Nevada (Northern)' started by Twalemming, Apr 22, 2008.

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  1. Twalemming

    Twalemming Rookie

    Jul 15, 2006
    21
    Nor-Cal
    Full Name:
    Todd Anderson
    #1 Twalemming, Apr 22, 2008
    Hello all,

    I am a student up in Chico and have been a member here on FChat for a while and check this site daily. For one of my classes I have to write a business plan and since I am an avid auto enthusiast I decided to go the route of running a track. I just wanted to do some 'primary research' and ask the community here a few questions regarding my business plan to make it more credible.

    I have always wanted to take my car to a track and run it into the ground in a safe and legal environment but have been told the general maximum amount of time I can get in a day is around an hour and a half. So I thought a good way to overcome this would be to create a country club style track for private members. As opposed to a traditional country club that is centered around an 18 hole golf course this would be centered around a 2.5 mile race track. In the first few years of operation there would only be a track and some garages as well as office but in the following years we would be looking to expand into having a clubhouse like any other country club as well as possible track side villas. Of course only members would be able to bring their cars, and guests, to this facility and use it like any other golf course country club that exists. For relevance to the Northern California section, the desired location for this facility would be in the north bay area.

    This isn't anything that I can do as I'm a student and don't have access to the capital needed to start such a project. If you could answer any of these questions that would be AWESOME!

    1)How often do you take your car to the track?
    2) If a race track like this existed would it be something you would be interested in buying a membership for it?
    3) If you would be willing to buy a membership, what would you be willing to pay?
    4) If you were to buy a membership, would you only want the race track with garages or would you like to see a clubhouse and track side villas on the grounds as well?
    5)Would you be interested in owning a villa or renting it out for a weekend getaway?
    6) If you could rent out a garage for the weekend or own one to store your car on-site would you?

    Thank you very much for any input you give me as it will help greatly with my credibility and hopefully my grade. Even if you don't want to answer the questions and tell me it sounds interesting or cool that would be very helpful too.

    -Todd
     
  2. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #2 bobafett, Apr 22, 2008
    Search on this forum. This concept has been put into practice with marginal success at best all around the country. And for the bay area - it's even harder. Just look at the pressures Laguna is facing - the outcome of altamont, etc.

    Should be a wealth of info on here to help you get your paper written.
     
  3. lukek

    lukek Formula 3

    May 2, 2003
    2,085
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    LK
    #3 lukek, Apr 23, 2008
    use surveymonkey to put together an online survey and offer a small incentive like a starbucks card, or name credit on the web site, paper, and folks might provide more specific data. There are some articles in autoweek about the latest ventures (motorsports condos, parks, etc.). Texas and Connecticut come to mind, but you are going against the grain in Cali (enviro regs, taxes, land prices, etc.).
     
  4. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #4 bobafett, Apr 23, 2008
    To answer your questions;

    1. Not often enough.
    2. Yes
    3. Assuming it is lifelong, <25k for privileged access / use. Or ~5k/year.
    4. Clubhouse is nice, but not necessary. THere should be come kind of area for people to gather, make use of the facilities, etc.
    5. No.
    6. Should be included in the membership fee. Long term garage is key.
     
  5. Twalemming

    Twalemming Rookie

    Jul 15, 2006
    21
    Nor-Cal
    Full Name:
    Todd Anderson
    #5 Twalemming, Apr 23, 2008
    Thank you very much for all your responses as it is greatly appreciated

    Todd
     
  6. Club Auto

    Club Auto Guest

    Mar 31, 2008
    24
    Lakewood Colorado
    #6 Club Auto, Apr 24, 2008
    The part you will run into is the cost of the track itself is very expensive. It's about 4-5 million dollars for 2 miles for a F1 style track with run offs. You can do it much cheaper but it will end up cracking over time. Feel free you check out www.theringoftherockies.com to see pictures of the one we are building.
     
  7. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #7 bobafett, Apr 24, 2008
    4-5MM for 2 miles is actually cheaper than i would have imagined.
     
  8. Club Auto

    Club Auto Guest

    Mar 31, 2008
    24
    Lakewood Colorado
    #8 Club Auto, Apr 24, 2008
    The crazy part is if you look at the club house pics on www.theringoftherockies.com, that is only costing about 6 million to build. It's hard to believe the 8 miles of track will cost almost 4 times the club house. Part of the reason it cost so much to lay the asphalt is they need to pack 3 feet of sand below the track.
     
  9. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #9 bobafett, Apr 25, 2008
    It's a great looking setup you guys have planned. If this were here, with the Tilke and all, I'd have signed up in a heartbeat
     

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