Miller Motorsports Park — Safety Upgrades, Repaving Underway
The state-of-the-art facility is busy making improvements and safety upgrades in anticipation of the 2008 season, and working hard to get as much done as possible before winter weather sets in.
One big project that has already been accomplished is the complete repaving of the 2.183-mile West Circuit, a job that was done under warranty by the paving contractor to remedy some long-term wear issues and repair abnormal wear along the seams.
Other ongoing projects are safety upgrades that will help the track maintain its reputation as the safest road racing circuit in North America, many of which are being instituted following recommendations made by Claude Danis, Safety Director for the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), the international sanctioning body for motorcycle racing which sanctions the FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (SBK), during a visit to the track this past July. The cost of these upgrades, over and above the repaving project, will approach $750,000.
• Following the success of adding paved runoff areas in Turns 1, 5, 6 and 15 in the Spring of 2007, additional paved runoff areas are being added to the Tooele and Club House corners, plus a significant increase in the size of the gravel traps at those turns;
• The barriers and tire walls at the exit of the final corner (“Release") and the entrance to the front straight are being realigned;
• Extensive addition of curbing at several locations; and
• A new pit exit at the end of the West pit complex is being built to meet current requirements set forth by the FIM.
In addition, 1 million square feet of topsoil is being laid down as part of an ongoing seeding program to encourage the establishment of permanent grass around the circuit.
“While many of these upgrades have been part of an ongoing program designed to keep Miller Motorsports Park at the leading edge of track safety in North America," said MMP CEO/General Manager Alan Wilson, “these and other improvements follow Miller Motorsports Park’s commitment to SBK to provide a venue that meets and exceeds FIM standards."
Racing at Miller Motorsports Park will resume in April, and a complete 2008 schedule will be released soon. The inaugural visit of the FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, marking the championship’s return to North America after an absence of four years, is scheduled for the weekend of May 30-June 1, 2008.