But unlike many businesses, Thunderhill has not gone bankrupt or changed ownership. The Fastest Three Miles in the West is closed for construction until the Open House Ceremonies the eve of Friday, August 8th. The $1.5 million project is making very big improvements to the facility. A 2 inch overlay of the track with all new curbing is the main purpose for the 12 day construction. There will be another big awning in front of the Main Building just like the existing one. Another 50’by300’ are being added to the skid pad. The main building is being repainted inside as well as redecorated. All racing walls will be repainted and improved. All Turn Worker boxes will be improved. Many hills that create blind spots will be reduced to make fewer blind spots. Much land surrounding the track will be reworked so that there will be even more, safe runoff room than already exists. There will even be a new opportunity for people to advertise and support the track; a new wall for 8’x16’ billboards is being added in a prime viewing area of the track. We are very excited through all of this because Thunderhill Raceway will be an even better place to lap for cars and bikes alike.
The San Francisco Region of the Sports Car Club of America put on a wonderful action packed event all last weekend. The last car came off track at 4:15p.m. And construction crews were working full steam ahead at 4:16p.m. until 10:00p.m. the first night removing old curbing.
At 5:30a.m. this morning we were back at it. By the end of today we were already ahead of schedule. Pictures and the video of the heavy equipment at work coming soon.
Will,
From what I hear you are the one responsible for wearing out that track. After all, I have video of you running on three tires and one busted spindle and we still wn the race!
Actually, Dave and I went out today and did some laps. Pretty interesting lines with all those curbs dug out and heavy equipment blocking the racing line!!! lol
Especially if you’re driving a bulldozer! LOL.
If you get a chance, ask to drive the big Cat digger. I got to test out a huge Komatsu a few years ago…what a howl that was!
When Will was about 14 years old I took him to the 2001 Fram Autolite Drag Nationals which were held at Sears Point International Raceway. This was back in the days when the dragstrip was actually part of the road course which made for some wild road races at certain spots on the course. After the final Funny Car run of the day Funny Car drivers John Force and Gary Scelzi concluded the day by racing bulldozers complete with big ripping jaws dug into the track down the drag strip to tear up the concrete. It is said that was the day Sears Point Raceway went from the outhouse to the penthouse. The race signified the beginning of the modernization plan that included a new race surface, sparkling state-of-the-art grandstand, enlarged paddock and other amenities. One of the most significant changes was the separation of the drag strip from the road course, as well as a Compulink Timing System and an upgraded Musco Lighting system for night racing. So the bottom line is, if anyone has learned from the bst when it comes to tearing up a race track it’s Will.
http://www.nhra.com/2001/news/August/080601.html