From what I've gathered it's designed primarily for the NASCAR teams to practice on, so it mimics some of the difficult turns on the tracks that they frequent. It's within 45 minutes or so from most of the NASCAR teams, so I suspect they'll be on there testing a good bit. The site says it's designed for "world class" motorcycle events as well, but from the looks of the layout it looks kind of scary to me. I mean it doesn't have the wide runoff areas that the new F1/MotoGP tracks being built these days have (see the Losail circuit built in Qatar for $58mil). If you followed the return of MotoGP to the US last year you might remember that there were lots of changes made to Laguna Seca for safety before MotoGP would even run a race on it.. and there were still lots of complaints from the riders about the track not being safe. But.. . maybe the track map just doesn't show the runoff areas. It does show a good bit of open space around the track (a few trees look kind of close to the track though) so maybe some of that space will be used for gravel runoff areas.
Notice that there's little or no mention of spectator seating or amenities on the layout.. kind of like VIR or Carolina Motorsports park.. or Barber.. this ain't no Bristol or Lowe's motor speedway. It's built for the drivers/riders and those watching on tv. Look on the track map for grandstands - none. (I'm assuming there will be some small grandstands, just not shown yet..)
The site is all in Flash.. not sure why.. but that might be part of the reason it's almost invisible on Google so long after it being released. I had to really hunt for it to find it... so I'm bumping it up a bit here. So note this you Flash designers out there.. this site doesn't even show up in the top 20 for searches like - raceway salisbury nc -,or - road racing track nc -. Bet it will soon though..
(( this post was about the original web site for the track.. I've updated the link below to the new web site ))
Here's the site for High Rock International Raceway in Salisbury (or Spencer ?), NC
OH.. and I wonder if you'll be able to see that back strait from I-85.. it would be a riot to go down that back strait and look over at the wide eyed motorists only 200' or so away (if the map is to scale).
**edited 8/10/08 to add that the zoning board in Spencer approved the plans for the track.. it's moving forward **
03 Mar 2006 at 11:27 pm | #
I don't know about this track. They keep saying they're going to start construction, but nothing happens. I hear there's chemicals buried around the place that the old mill put there.
02 Nov 2006 at 09:24 am | #
In regard to reb.ron's remarks, yes High Rock will be built. I am a resident of Salisbury. This group has been working on this project for the past 6 years. It took 2 years just to get the studies and information to go for a conditional use permit from Rowan County, and they got that. They now have been annexed into the Town of Spencer. They have received incredible support from the Town Aldermen and residents of this town. There's only one "thorn" and without a doubt this one will be plucked very soon.
To anyone out there who wants to show their support for this track, a petition has been started on http://www.petitiononline.com. (edited to add direct link here http://www.petitiononline.com/hrir/petition.html) You can also keep up with developments on http://www.salisburypost.com and http://www.the-dispatch.com (Lexington Dispatch).
16 Nov 2006 at 07:17 pm | #
sure we're talking about the same track? Local news sounds more like this track is a day late and a dollar short. Guys I've talked to aren't taking it seriously.
09 Mar 2007 at 11:01 am | #
There was an article in the Charlotte Observer about this track in the last few days.. check it out online here: http://charlotteobserver.com/296/story/42555.html They are continuing to plan it as a "Country club" track.
08 Apr 2007 at 01:01 pm | #
Yes, we are coming and we are due to break ground in May of this year and be ready by Feb. 08. We have sold almost 90 "race condos" so far of 120 units for the first phase.
As to the I-85 deal. We are being told by the DOT that we will have to place a fence block so that cars can't see the track so they don't get in trouble tryin to race them.
Check out our website at http://www.racehighrock.com for updates and the map is not complete. As for viewing stands that is still under discussions and temporary seating will be used for larger events. This is a true road course so seating will be limited, but bring your blanket because you can see almost the entire tack from the spectator areas unlike some other tracks.
You will enjoy it.
Thanks for the postings.
Alan