It's very sad to lose club racing tracks because there is no way they will ever be replaced. The cost and regulatory issues means new race tracks never break ground.
There are challenges, however I wouldn't completely lose hope for new tracks. I know of at least 6 or 7 new facilities that are either fully funded and waiting to break ground or that have already opened in the past year or two. That said, I 100% agree it still sucks to see the historic facilities fall by the wayside.
So many motorcycle track days there over the years. So sad.... Now the closest place for SportBike track guys is either Homestead or all the way up to North Florida in Jennings. Sucks!
Sad to see it go, I raced there in the mid 70's SCCA B Sedan. I recall Mr. Paul Newman seeking National points for the Runoffs drove the BRE Datsun 610 in the Last National race of the year. He DNF'ed and I won the class that day.
Relax, in the current configuration, I think it is impossible for you to put a car in the swamp. Back when Lynn was driving her Pinto, you could go off Turn 8, over the embankment, and into a canal. the possibility was strong enough that Florida Region kept a diver on Turn 8 station just in case. That turn is the section behind the grandstands in the lower left part of your aerial shot of the track. The current road course goes nowhere near that now. The other way was to run off the end of the dragstrip, in either direction. I miss the days of being out there, and running into Dick Moroso. The death of his son really took it out of him. So much promise, and gone so fast.
I'll have to keep following that story. Best case scenario would be some new owners who would invest just a little into the "hospitality" facilities. The paddock and track were fine when we visited but you didn't want any part of the restrooms, lol.
The track has been closed over a year now. The developer pulled out when the Commision brought up the surrounding wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries bordering the property and they denied septic tanks for sewage and wastewater. Why wasn't this brought up during the proposal for use initially? Nothing is going to be developed on the property, period. Open the track back up!!
Another great and informative video, but it’s sad to see a great race track replaced with a warehouse. How do you find all of these interesting events? Just by scouring MotorsportsReg or someplace else?
Definitely a sad state. It looks like the same holding group is also selling Memphis Int'l in similar circumstances. Corporate track ownership for the lose... With the vents, yeah, something like that. 😁 Regular browsing on MotorsportsReg, ClubRegistration, Tracknightinamerica, and various big track day orgs (Chin, JZilla, Just Track It, auto interests, etc)
@@wolfgang_h3t Yeah, I heard that as well. It's the same owners "IRG" irgse dot com for those curious. They must need the money. I think they own a couple of other facilities as well so hopefully this isn't part of a bigger purge. Corporate track ownership for the lose.
@@LapoftheWorld Damn, that's shitty. Memphis is about my only local road course and I was just starting to get into track driving, hopefully they aren't *that* desperate...
@@wolfgang_h3t MIR is, I guess, earlier in the process so not a lost cause just yet. And yeah, depending on where you are located, the next closest tracks are probably Nashville, Louisville, or Birmingham-ish.
I always wanted to go to moroso , this breaks my heart to this day. I hope that company that plans building the warehouses goes out of business and they’re able to save it somehow
I went there and worked the motorcycle races when it was Moroso for many years. Sad that it is going away, had some great races and history there.
It's very sad to lose club racing tracks because there is no way they will ever be replaced. The cost and regulatory issues means new race tracks never break ground.
There are challenges, however I wouldn't completely lose hope for new tracks. I know of at least 6 or 7 new facilities that are either fully funded and waiting to break ground or that have already opened in the past year or two. That said, I 100% agree it still sucks to see the historic facilities fall by the wayside.
Back in the 80s I was the NHRA Division 2 photographer, shot a lot of races there and did a lot of Dick's Winter Series races for him.
So many motorcycle track days there over the years. So sad.... Now the closest place for SportBike track guys is either Homestead or all the way up to North Florida in Jennings. Sucks!
Sad to see it go, I raced there in the mid 70's SCCA B Sedan. I recall Mr. Paul Newman seeking National points for the Runoffs drove the BRE Datsun 610 in the Last National race of the year. He DNF'ed and I won the class that day.
Relax, in the current configuration, I think it is impossible for you to put a car in the swamp. Back when Lynn was driving her Pinto, you could go off Turn 8, over the embankment, and into a canal. the possibility was strong enough that Florida Region kept a diver on Turn 8 station just in case. That turn is the section behind the grandstands in the lower left part of your aerial shot of the track. The current road course goes nowhere near that now. The other way was to run off the end of the dragstrip, in either direction. I miss the days of being out there, and running into Dick Moroso. The death of his son really took it out of him. So much promise, and gone so fast.
Why are you picking on that Ford Focus, Richard!!! I didn’t know all that about PBIR. Many memories there for sure. Great video. 😎
Listen, after COTA I needed to pass something! Couldn't do anything with the modern Porsches and the C7 Z06, but held my own otherwise this time, lol.
@@LapoftheWorld LOL I hear you. Looked like fun.
FYI Racers and related racing protetesd the redesignation of this facility and it was denied to turn it into warehouses today.Fight is not over yet.
I'll have to keep following that story. Best case scenario would be some new owners who would invest just a little into the "hospitality" facilities. The paddock and track were fine when we visited but you didn't want any part of the restrooms, lol.
The track has been closed over a year now. The developer pulled out when the Commision brought up the surrounding wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries bordering the property and they denied septic tanks for sewage and wastewater. Why wasn't this brought up during the proposal for use initially? Nothing is going to be developed on the property, period. Open the track back up!!
"Fat Stig"! (from when they were there when it was called Moroso!)
Right before they were unceremoniously chased out of Alabama (allegedly), Lol.
Another good video! Bummer that it's closing.
Another great and informative video, but it’s sad to see a great race track replaced with a warehouse. How do you find all of these interesting events? Just by scouring MotorsportsReg or someplace else?
Definitely a sad state. It looks like the same holding group is also selling Memphis Int'l in similar circumstances. Corporate track ownership for the lose... With the vents, yeah, something like that. 😁 Regular browsing on MotorsportsReg, ClubRegistration, Tracknightinamerica, and various big track day orgs (Chin, JZilla, Just Track It, auto interests, etc)
@@LapoftheWorld I heard something about Memphis a day or two ago but couldn't find anything, what's happening?
@@wolfgang_h3t Yeah, I heard that as well. It's the same owners "IRG" irgse dot com for those curious. They must need the money. I think they own a couple of other facilities as well so hopefully this isn't part of a bigger purge. Corporate track ownership for the lose.
@@LapoftheWorld Damn, that's shitty. Memphis is about my only local road course and I was just starting to get into track driving, hopefully they aren't *that* desperate...
@@wolfgang_h3t MIR is, I guess, earlier in the process so not a lost cause just yet. And yeah, depending on where you are located, the next closest tracks are probably Nashville, Louisville, or Birmingham-ish.
I always wanted to go to moroso , this breaks my heart to this day. I hope that company that plans building the warehouses goes out of business and they’re able to save it somehow
get Dale Jr to scan tha track for iRacing
Same thing is happening to Memphis International Raceway. Also owned by the same company.
God dammit, I had no idea this was on the verge of closing AGAIN
On the verge? It closed before you made this comment. 4-23-22
Sucks, so many memories.
Walmart bought them all to put a distribution center on them
There is a LOT more Pit Bull (and people like him) could do!!
This sucks