Adam Ross 253 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Here's some light reading for everyone. I thought this had been fairly quiet for awhile. Interesting timing. http://centralnewyorkracewaypark.com/news.html Central New York Raceway Park Set for Phase 1 of ConstructionTue, 4th October, 2011 Groundbreaking for phase 1 of the construction of the new state of the art Central New York Raceway Park (CNYRP) in Central Square, NY is set for the spring of 2012. The Central Square location is just 20 minutes from downtown Syracuse and less than 15 miles from Syracuse's Hancock International Airport. Phase 1 of the construction project includes a 2 mile road course, drag strip, and a half mile synthetic dirt track. Donnelly Partners LLC, led by Glen Donnelly and Sweeteners Plus CEO Carl Myers, have secured the funding for phase 1, and have already begun clearing the more than 140 acres in anticipation for the spring groundbreaking. "I'm excited to be returning to the motorsports industry after having to be on the sideline due to my no-competition clause from the sale of DIRT Motorsports," said Glenn Donnelly. "I've spent the last 2 years planning, and I believe the plan for Central New York Raceway Park will result in an innovative, entertaining, and profitable mutli-use facility." Glenn Donnelly, who owned and operated DIRT Motorsports from 1975 to 2005 making it at its time of sale a sanctioning body with more than 4,000 members and thirty two race tracks in the US and Canada, has assembled a group of experience investors to create Donnelly Partners LLC. Members include major motorsports backers Carl Myers, Robert Lutz, Todd Town, Tony Komuda Jr, Peter Mack, Derek Tarolli and Greg Kidd. "Our investors are our biggest assets. Highly involved, tremendously talented, and very successful business people committed to make CNYRP a financial success," says Donnelly. Along with an experienced group of investors, the New York State government and local government have been fully involved with the project. "We've worked closely with both the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency and Town of Hastings on acquiring the necessary permits and grants to move forward in the construction,” said Donnelly. "Phase 1 of the construction will generate 120 full time positions along with hundreds of positions the construction companies will need to fill to complete the project." CNYRP management team's resume includes names from the top of the industry. John Lehmann, a former Assistant General Manger of Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel and Senior Operations Manager at Turning Stone Casino Resort, will work with multi building corporation (Mod Space) in the construction and layout of all buildings. Heading up day to day operations will be Rick Martel Director of Racing Operations, Event Merchandising, Inc. will work with sales and marketing, Director of Facilities Mark Koleski, TV and Production Director Patrick Donnelly, Public Relations Josh Becker, voice of CNYRP Doug Logan, Road course designer and chief instructor Peter Argetsinger, and Gary Rowe will be the CPA for the company along with accountant supervisor Roamie Caruso. "We've assembled a team deep with experience, but most importantly we have a team that is passionate to make CNYRP a success," says Donnelly. With both the finance and management aspects of CNYRP sound, focus turns to phase 1 of construction. Phase 1 of the construction includes a 2 mile road course, drag strip, and a half mile synthetic dirt track. The 2 mile road course will encompass the more than 140 acres. The road course will include a pit road with a 56 bay NASCAR style garage, and a 1/8th mile or 1/4 mile drag strip. Donnelly believes the road course and drag strip is a key to the success of CNYRP. "The only new tracks being built in the US are road courses," says Donnelly. "Both Watkins Glen and Monticello in New York State already have full schedules. From car clubs to national touring series to driving schools we are confident we will fill the 180 days we have set for operation." CNYRP already has commitments from NASCAR Racing Experience, Mario Andretti Racing School and the Skip Barber Racing School to fill dates at the road course. The half mile Synthetic dirt track will feature a 10,000 seat grandstand as well as VIP suites, a 300 seat buffet restaurant, and an upscale steak house style restaurant. The track surface will be covered by the new revolutionary SYNDI synthetic compound. The SYNDI Synthetic surface will eliminate dust, greatly reduce track maintenance costs and attract a larger female audience. "The SYNDI surface will allow us to not only create a smooth and racy surface for the traditional dirt surface racing divisions, but also open the door for asphalt divisions to compete on the half mile," claims Donnelly. To highlight all the action at the facility, CNYRP will build a manned television studio on the premise. The studio will produce promotional and commercial spots for company sponsors and racetrack members, as well as have the capability to broadcast live events at the facility. From the investor group to management to the layout of the facilities, Donnelly believes CNYRP is destined to become a success. But most of all it’s the support from businesses and the community that has Donnelly excited. "Every day I get calls from people who just want to know how to get involved. I'm motivated from the amount of support I've received to make CNYRP a success." 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Josh Bayko 2,066 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hmmm, no mention of John Wight in this one.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Hilton 12 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hmmm, no mention of John Wight in this one.... Yeah, I double read it just to be sure. Guess he wasn't too fond of the SYNDI surface. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Casper60 558 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I'm actually more psyched for the road course than I am the dirt track, Hopefully we can get some lemons and chumpcar events up this way now! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Josh Bayko 2,066 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Yeah, I double read it just to be sure. Guess he wasn't too fond of the SYNDI surface. I bet it has nothing to do with the surface and everything to do with WRG.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chas71 1,256 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 If I can run an asphalt car on the dirt surface, I'm then going to have to build a special dirt car to run there (if I read this right) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Josh Bayko 2,066 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 If I can run an asphalt car on the dirt surface, I'm then going to have to build a special dirt car to run there (if I read this right) They might as well build an asphalt track. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-B 5 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 No mention of John Wight might have something to do with the fact that Brewerton Speedway also happens to be in the Town of Hastings... I'd have to check out the dirt track to see if it works as well as advertised, and I'd definitely have to check out the dragstrip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Revelle 114 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I think the timing of this announcement is quite funny. This is big news that will get people talking about something other then Super DIRT Week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Ross 253 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 It's an interesting read. I also enjoyed reading about the ground breaking at the speedway Jeff Gordon is involved with in Fort Erie, Ontario. And I liked reading about "The Spider" about ten years ago - that's the track that they were going to build in Hamilton, Ontario. The timing is no surprise. This is when people are looking. When they schedule their first event and open the gates we'll be there. If I'm not mistaken wasn't the test of the surface a slight disaster? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Josh Bayko 2,066 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 No mention of John Wight might have something to do with the fact that Brewerton Speedway also happens to be in the Town of Hastings... But he was featured heavily in the early talks of this whole thing. They tested the surface at his track and everything (to awful results). Now, nothing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scottv36 29 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 there was an interview about this on Dougs dirt diary earlier in the week Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Wee One 1,027 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Racing asphalt cars on dirt...? This all sounds really sweet, and I'm excited, but at the same time I have reserved skepticism about it. A "I'll believe it when I see it" mentality. But, if anyone's going to get it done it'll be Donnelly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Farone 105 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hmmm, no mention of John Wight in this one.... Mr. Wright will be using all of his resorces to fight the lawsuit that Johnny the Jet will be bring down on him Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leroy 6,527 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I am excited for everything about this new racing facilty. Except the synthetic surface. I listened to the interview with Doug, and listened to Glenn try to sell the new surface. It almost sounds as if he really believes its something good. Wow. Bottom line for anyone thats been to Brewerton any amount of time, the track surface and the racing have just not been as good since that stuff was put on. If you sit in the stadium seats in four, you just get completly covered in the stuff. Never was it that way before! It does shake right off though, really weird Quote Link to post Share on other sites
luke81 830 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Racing asphalt cars on dirt...? ARCA still races on dirt twice a year, they're asphalt cars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Wee One 1,027 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I know that, but have you ever seen videos of that race? My goodness, talk about a 1 groove race....its soooo boring. Asphalt cars should just stay there. Let the real dirt cars get the job done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chas71 1,256 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 ARCA still races on dirt twice a year, they're asphalt cars. Do you really think the guys running up front are using the same cars they use at Salem, etc.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chutch84 8 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I'm actually more psyched for the road course than I am the dirt track, Hopefully we can get some lemons and chumpcar events up this way now! I'm hoping that they'll get CHUMPCAR and 24 hgour Of Lemons on their schedule as well!!! Claude Jr has run and WON numerous events with both series in the past few years. We've run Carolina Motorsports Park,toledo Speedway,Palm Beach Speedway, and Rockingham!!! wow would it be cool to have one of these races close to home...one hour drive for us ..not 13 or 24 hours. By the way...we'll be racing at Nelson Ledges raceway in Garretsville,Ohio this Coming weekend...yup...406 miles one way. I think that this new track in Central Square should look at these nationally supported events....Cool...Can't wait!1 Claude Hutchings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mcfly2212 46 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Layout of the facility http://centralnewyorkracewaypark.com/ Video on the surface Was surprised by the video and interview on dougs after reading about the surface on here. Seems like two different stories, although I cant see these guys spending this kind of money unless they truely think that they have something thats going to work out great. Was also very surprised that John Wight was not mentioned anywhere. Should be cool either way, hopefully they can headline a crown jewel Late Model race. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
triciap2006 36 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I, for one, have been waiting for this to actually take place.....when its built they will come............. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NYracefan 351 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Looking at that road course layout, they might want to think about adding a few more turns to slow it down a bit. The current layout will be wicked fast. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Casper60 558 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I'm hoping that they'll get CHUMPCAR and 24 hgour Of Lemons on their schedule as well!!! Claude Jr has run and WON numerous events with both series in the past few years. We've run Carolina Motorsports Park,toledo Speedway,Palm Beach Speedway, and Rockingham!!! wow would it be cool to have one of these races close to home...one hour drive for us ..not 13 or 24 hours. By the way...we'll be racing at Nelson Ledges raceway in Garretsville,Ohio this Coming weekend...yup...406 miles one way. I think that this new track in Central Square should look at these nationally supported events....Cool...Can't wait!1 Claude Hutchings Is Nelson Ledges still a true 24 hour race? I wanted to do that race a few years back but had nobody to go in on it with and I wasn't about to start building a car alone. I had 3 of my Grand-Am drivers who wanted to run the race with me but nobody had money to put into the deal. It sucked because my entry was accepted too. If they can get those series up here, I will definately get something together for it... And Claude, if your ever looking for another driver with sports car experience... look me up... LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Casper60 558 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Looking at that road course layout, they might want to think about adding a few more turns to slow it down a bit. The current layout will be wicked fast. Yea, the layout isn't all that exciting. Not a very technical course to say the least, but it will attract the novice racer because of it's simplicity, and will be a great venue for clubs and open track days, and some of the lower level series. Hopefully there will be some lighting around the road course as well. Night races are awesome on road courses. Best race I ever did was the 09 Daytona 24. I am usually on pit road working the race but I was a spotter in 09 and spent the entire 24 on top of the frontstrech tower. Best view ever! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scottnorwood 1,202 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Yea, the layout isn't all that exciting. Not a very technical course to say the least, but it will attract the novice racer because of it's simplicity, and will be a great venue for clubs and open track days, and some of the lower level series. Hopefully there will be some lighting around the road course as well. Night races are awesome on road courses. Best race I ever did was the 09 Daytona 24. I am usually on pit road working the race but I was a spotter in 09 and spent the entire 24 on top of the frontstrech tower. Best view ever! I like alot of elevation change at road courses...like the boot at the glen...i think elevation makes the road course (think Spa...lol) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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