Drag strip planned for New Orleans East

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-18/1163399421214170.xml&coll=1

I hope the drag strip is built. I think it will alleviate some of the illegal street races around the area. It would also be nice to have a track much closer than No Problem Raceway.

 

I hope it gets built as well but there has been a lot of talk in the past about a track in the "East." Ralph Sanchez who built Homestead in Fla after Hurricane Andrew has been mentioned well before Katrina hit but nothing has come of it that I'm aware of.

While I'd prefer an oval with infield road course layout, an NPR like drag strip/road course probably makes more financial sense given the smaller footprint and construction needs.

I say tie it into the rebuilding of Six Flags.

 

I have been PRAYING that they would build a drag strip in New Orleans for a LOOOONNNNGGG Time.

I have often wondered why New Orleans did not have any drag strips &/or racetracks around....it seems like a natural thing to have some sort of track in New Orleans....

 

Used to be a drag strip in Laplace.

Before my time...

 

I didn't see any mention of a road course in the article. Is this something you have heard as a possibility?

 

John,

No, just seems to make sense that it would broaden the appeal of the place, ultimately bringing in more cash. A road course would make it more likely to be rented by local car clubs, karting, and others for "ride and drives", maybe even a driving school. As I see it the big cost would be in the land, the infrastructure would already be in place for the drag side so the add'l construction costs would be primarily sitework/paving. This synergy is also why I mentioned the tie in with Six Flags, just sharing the parking lot could be a big savings assuming scheduling issues could be resolved. Also, the event staff would have similar skills; ticket sales, concessions, etc.

I say all of this but I have no background in racetrack operations so perhaps its not the "no brainer" it seems.

Anyone here know if NPR's road course is a benefit to their bottom line?

 

I would think that the road course at NPR is a huge benefit. I know that Mardi Gras region PCA rents the track out for DE's and races. I also know that the Ferrari guys go out there pretty often. Also, several other clubs conduct road races there along with some karting.

The Road course/drag strip combination is a good idea IMO.

 

Talking with Winson awhile back @ NPR the drag strip is what makes the big money.

A big weekend drag event brings in 10+ times the profit of any road course event.
Make more money of spectators- not people who rent the place out.

I would think the civil work to make a site suitable for a track in east NO would drive costs up to a lot.

Six Flags- last i read it was in legal limbo. The city may end up holding the bag on that POS.

 

It will never get built. Too much politics in New Orleans. It will never happen, you can bet on that.

 

You really think so? In the post-Katrina era the local gov't is approving just about any venture that looks like it can bring in out of state revenue from tourism and the like. In fact, I would say that this time around would be the BEST chance they will ever get.

 

I'm with Gerald. I started drag racing back in the early 80's and have been hearing about a New Orleans east track since way back then. Did anybody read the editorial letter from Pat Joffrion earlier this week? (He owns No Problem) Basically said if he could build his with all private money, why couldn't this one be? Besides, IIRC, most of the land out there is owned in a roundabout way by Bill "I don't know how that money got in my freezer ya-honor" Jefferson.

Dave