Summit Point in Aug

[catchacab]

This is my reason for boycotting Summit Point events:  It comes down to finances.  If the owners and operators of the tracks are not willing to properly maintain/repair/rebuild their facility, but drivers continue to register for events at these tracks, the clubs/organizations will still make money and continue to book future events at these poorly maintained tracks, the owners of the tracks still make money and do not have the incentive to properly correct the problems. 

If drivers do not register for events at these tracks then the clubs will have events that are not adequately attended, they will start to lose money at events scheduled at these tracks and will eventually stop scheduling events there.  Due to falling revenue the owners of the tracks will look to make improvements to increase track usage and revenue.  Imagine a properly paved SP main and maybe even a garage. 

The time has come, there are now two new tracks close by, more events available to drivers than most drivers can drive (except for George), a poor economy and rising fuel prices that is limiting attendance at many track events.  It is time for us drivers to influence positive change in facilities.

[michael lang]

This debate could go on & on & on, the fact of the matter is Bill Scott really doesn't care about our money, Potomac's money, or any other car club's money. I'd be willing to bet that BSR, Inc. would also prefer not to have SCCA, NASA, or any bike club run around because that means they would have to pay for insurance for the spectators at those events. Have you ever gone to the main website http://www.bsr-inc.com ? Look at what the content is. It's all about anti-terrorist training and improving government security. That company is so focused on homeland security that BSR, Inc has just purchased another 150 acres or so of land to expand its training facility and to guarantee that there is no new construction of neighborhoods across the street from the track. That is where the money is coming from not track rental from small car/bike clubs. I'm not complaining about the track, I feel very lucky to have a track so close to where I live. On the otherhand I can see the point that if a track is in one's opinion "beat up" than why would someone go through all the preparation to go there. Only that person can answer that question. Boycott the track or not, it doesn't matter, the focus from that company is somewhere else other than small car clubs like ours. As long as the track is open to the public I will continue to go there.

 

[George3]

I've heard that, too . . . what Mike said above.  BSR is getting so much government work that he needed to buy land.  BSR's main focus is not on PCA, BMW, AUDI or any of the other car clubs. 

The reality is we could be losing a car track to military training in the future.  Wouldn't that be ironic.  This comes from a reliable source.

[catchacab]

George3 wrote:

I've heard that, too . . . what Mike said above. BSR is getting so much government work that he needed to buy land. BSR's main focus is not on PCA, BMW, AUDI or any of the other car clubs.

The reality is we could be losing a car track to military training in the future. Wouldn't that be ironic. This comes from a reliable source.

If it is Summit, it wouldn't be a loss!

[I love this car!]

Mike and All,

First, thanks for the warm welcome into your club, Connie and I have enjoyed the events thus far.  We are looking forward to August at SPR with RTR. 

I have read allot about the pavement at SPR on this and other forums.  My first track event was at Summit Point a LONG time ago, before Bill Scott purchased the track.  Cars and tires were not as fast, or nearly as forgiving as today's.  The track, it's surface, runnoff areas, barriers were even more "unforgiving" and the facility was down right primitive.    Even the "premier" Gran Prix track in the country had runnoff and pavement problems.  When I ran at Watkins Glen, the Schecter Chicane was in place, the "cow pies" of asphalt there and outside of other corners would shed rocks. Wooden posts and catch fencing hungrily waited for errant cars between the track and the the guard rails.  Cars and the playgrounds we enjoy them on are constantly evolving.  Repaving the SPR track last year was a good thing.  The decision last winter to dig up selected areas was, well, self explanatory.  I do not work for the track, but I do know Bill Scott.  Smart guy.  Summit Point may not be palacial, but it has come a long way in the 28 years the Mr. Scott has owned it.  It has always been a facility that welcomed the club drivers.  I am not a fan of rocks bouncing off my hood or windshield, track management is not either.  It is a business, and we are the customers.  Our best course of action is to communicate our concerns thru our club representatives.  They will listen and respond.  They have a pretty good record of this.  As a business, you move your focus where the "action" is.  If motorsports use drops off, and government training can fill that gap, that's who will get the track use.  It costs money each day to open the gate.  Their bills will still need to be paid.  I like driving SPR.  I hope to enjoy it for a long time.     I hope to see you and others there!

[George3]

Martin . . . . Welcome to the RTR Forum !!!

[Phokaioglaukos]

From another forum comes this good news:

Jason, I spoke with the track manager on Sat. and he stated that repave was slated for today (Monday). He also gave me some insight as to what was done and what is going to be done. He said the repave was done with a non-polishing asphalt (no wear) but contained a large aggregate. The larger aggregate was pulled out leaving large voids and causing the rapid deteriation of some of the corners. The repair is going to involve cutting down of bad spots (turns 1,5 & 6)and repaved. This time they will use a runway grade asphalt. Actually its coming from the job at Eastern Regional in Martinsburg, the runway is being extended for the giant C-5's the guard just got. Anyway, he said this mix is a polymer base with a smaller aggregate. He also stated that the quicker it cools the harder it is and the faster it cures. So his intention is to have a couple guys water it down all night. This should survive better, but is a "polishing" surface which means it will wear down, but smooth and not in chunks as it did this time.

Now this is what I was told but cannot verify any of the asphalt type info at this time. I work with Larry on track projects, as I do the building inspections, and believe he speaks the truth. We shall see.

[Sechsgang]

I love this car! wrote:

Mike and All,

First, thanks for the warm welcome into your club, Connie and I have enjoyed the events thus far. We are looking forward to August at SPR with RTR.

I have read allot about the pavement at SPR on this and other forums. My first track event was at Summit Point a LONG time ago, before Bill Scott purchased the track. Cars and tires were not as fast, or nearly as forgiving as today's. The track, it's surface, runnoff areas, barriers were even more "unforgiving" and the facility was down right primitive. Even the "premier" Gran Prix track in the country had runnoff and pavement problems. When I ran at Watkins Glen, the Schecter Chicane was in place, the "cow pies" of asphalt there and outside of other corners would shed rocks. Wooden posts and catch fencing hungrily waited for errant cars between the track and the the guard rails. Cars and the playgrounds we enjoy them on are constantly evolving. Repaving the SPR track last year was a good thing. The decision last winter to dig up selected areas was, well, self explanatory. I do not work for the track, but I do know Bill Scott. Smart guy. Summit Point may not be palacial, but it has come a long way in the 28 years the Mr. Scott has owned it. It has always been a facility that welcomed the club drivers. I am not a fan of rocks bouncing off my hood or windshield, track management is not either. It is a business, and we are the customers. Our best course of action is to communicate our concerns thru our club representatives. They will listen and respond. They have a pretty good record of this. As a business, you move your focus where the "action" is. If motorsports use drops off, and government training can fill that gap, that's who will get the track use. It costs money each day to open the gate. Their bills will still need to be paid. I like driving SPR. I hope to enjoy it for a long time. I hope to see you and others there!

Great to hear from you here Martin. I hope to see you again at SP soon.

[Brian Minkin]

Chris,

Thanks for the good news on the summit paving.  Even if it does not hold long term I am sure we will have a good surface for our upcoming event.  As they say one day at a time or perhaps it is one event at a time in this case.

 

So its time to pose the question again as to who is going.  Perhaps with this paving news a few more will sign up.

[George3]

I am going.  But, I would go regardless of track condition, because it is my favorite track.  However, I hope the track has the necessary repairs for our event.  I will also be there with Potomac on Aug 15-17, so I'll report back on track conditions.