New Track Coming

[xcarguy]

BRENHAM, TEXAS

 

http://www.clubtrackholdings.com/home.html

[toedrag]

It's interesting that it'll be so close to COTA (~1.5 hr).

[Off Road SHO]

It's interesting that it'll be so close to COTA (~1.5 hr).

 

Yeah, in Texas time, that's like the blink of an eye.

[James A]

There is a huge amount of local push back on this location, the developers are already looking at alternative sites. We need a new track in this area as we are loosing Texas World Speedway in June/July of 2015. Loosing TWS leaves a huge hole in SCCA/NASA/and DEs in this area!

[jimrankin]

Since I'm not part of the Texas driving community my comments may not be in line with what your looking for in a track, but I do have some suggestions that have seemed to work for the tracks us California amateur drivers frequent. With a "high end" (read expensive) track like COTA close by you might want to think more like our SCCA tracks, ThunderHill and Button Willow, at least as an obtainable starting point. These tracks both started out as just that, TRACKS, without a lot of large clubhouse space, garages and other amenities. That allowed them to concentrate the cost on buying as much land around the track site as possible (IMPOPRTANT) and install really secure roadbeds so the track stayed in good condition for as long as possible. By being as "bare bones" as possible to start it meant that the day rates for rental were well within the budget of groups like Hooked On Driving, Track Masters etc. These "fill up the empty dates" organizations are essential for tracks to survive. Not only do they keep revenue coming into the tracks coffers they also are a breeding ground for developing drivers who would never have thought about stepping up to an actual racing series without this opportunity to get onto a real race track and see just what fun it really is.

For a track to bring in drivers all it really needs are a very few basic things, and in order of importance here they are. (1) A really well designed and interesting track layout. (2) Basic creature comforts (SHADE, some form of restrooms, water and if possible food. (3) Basic car requirements (FUEL, a small shop with essential fluids and hey, we all want a T- shirt ;-).

I know that this is America (and Texas to boot) and it's the land of "bigger is better" but when the choice may come down to "no track at all" or "starting with the basics" with an eye to future development I know where I'd put the effort.

I hope you succeed in getting a track built, grand or basic, because everyone needs the chance to give driving on track a try.

[Martin H]

Jim - really interesting perspective, and one that definitely resonates with me.

 

I'm an expat Brit, and if you consider that the UK probably has 10-15 high quality tracks within a day's travel from anywhere, I'm sure the easy access to a variety of affordable circuits is a contributor to the thriving racing and trackday scene. If I'd only had one or two within easy reach, I doubt I'd ever have taken it up. I hope to be able to get back out on circuit again, but with limited tracks in North Texas, it's certainly not such a compelling proposition. I hope this gets off the ground as well.

 

Martin