brianlin87

i think it's completely dependent on what "kind" of race track you're attempting to build - if you want to just build a small nascar track, then i would agree that $10M might get you there, however if you wanted to construct an F1 track, I'd say you're looking more along the lines of $100M

multi21

A kart track out here in Southern California (Moran, built by Rocky Moran) cost $2m to build with land about 7-9 years ago. 1.1 mile track with FIA approved width, curbing etc. No permanent buildings, just temp office type stuff, port-a-potties. For a big track with minimal permanent buildings for offices, bathrooms, meeting rooms/classrooms, figure 30X that amount minimum.

For elevation changes you could always get a front loader and scoop some here and place it there, but the compacting would have to really be done properly. One of the Indian casinos here in Socal built a road course, but didn't pack it/settle it properly and had to rip it out.

M758

Here in Phoenix a local guy did the low budget route. Bought some farm land odd the end of an active AirForce base runway. Got the county to approve a non spectator race track. Then had the surface graded and paved. Not much in the way of buildings, but just and Alan Wilson design 2.25 mile ribbon of race grade asphalt and accompaning paddock, skid pad and portable bathroom trailer. The plan was to add in buildings in time, but get things going small.

Rumor is it as about 6MM to do that. However after about 8 months of operation the county shut him down on the ground of noise and breach of supplment us permit, but the original permit had no sound limits and he was operating in the requirements. Never the less it became a power struggle with a local developer and residents relateive to noise. So they pulled his permit while he Porsche North America doing a dealer training event with the then new Cayenne. They had to move their event the next day.

Still years later and more legal rambling the track basicly sits idle expect for 2-3 days he can drive street legal car around there with 2-3 friends. Sad to see this local guy lose that much money. All he want was a simple DE club track and despite all the right approvals had it shut down.

So be warned....

Now on the high end a place like Miller is 100MM or more. That place has many ammenties and is desinge to get big spectator events so a completely different ball park.

Electric Lizard

Agreed. I recall that the asking price for TWS was about $10MM.

DogInBlack

I live on some land in lower Alabama and have thought the same thing. What would it cost to build a cool 2-2.5 mile road course for DE type events? The grading to add some elevation would be similar to building a golf course. Some cut here moved there for fill provided the soil types and drainage would work. An 18 hole golf course is typically about 175-200 acres- similar to our 2-2.5 mile track. Clearing and shaping for a nice, but not PGA class, course would be in the $4-5million range today. For standard subdivision roads, 22' wide, down here with curb costs about $300 per linear foot with underground utilities. Race track will average 40' wide? Paddock construction for your buddies' trailers $1million. Don't forget safety fencing, armco, tire walls, gravel traps and the likes. Guess $1million.

So 2.5 miles equals 13,200 feet times $300 per foot, times 2 (for the additional width), equals right at $4million,plus safety of $1million, plus paddock facilities of $1million, plus the grading of $4million, 250 acres at $10,000/acre equals $2.5million, and you are around $12,500,000. Then you will need to add permitting BS, environmental BS, neighbor payoffs, campaign contributions, and yeah, you might build your track for around $100 million.

mooty

cash is king. great.
however, where are you located matters.
the actual cost of construction is really minuscule compared to all the environmental testing you need to do. cost of these testing and to fulfill the requirement is fungible and literally impossible to estimate.

another word, you get me the land entitlement, the rest is really cheap.

PedroNole

Just a road course...with proper safety devices (walls, fencing, etc) so it can be certified for clubs to run on (by their stewards/insurance companies), 2-2.5 miles, with some slight elevation can be done for $10m. Probably a little less. Depends on the site work needed (trees, drainage, etc). Land acquisition isn't included....

BG993

$1M a mile (Track only), minimum, please don't ask me how I know....

Bill

911URGE

Cost aside, you can read all about the headaches Riverside Motorsports Park in CA is going through in their press releases at http://www.rmpracing.com

They dont list the estimated cost of this large racing complex but at the end of the day its going to be high if it even gets completed.

pmason

Damn a $1m a mile, I was hoping to do like that guy in Fla. driveway/track. Current drive is a half mile now (gravel) figured I could make a 1.5 mile loop driveway :-).

Chads996

Two great examples of "private" tracks:

At both tracks the facilities are not over the top, but simple structures to do the job. They are both relatively clean and well maintained. (Putnam is VERY clean).

Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, GA http://www.roeblingroad.com/
Putnam Park Road course in Mount Meridan, IN http://www.putnampark.com/


FWIW - Putnam is one of my all-time favorite tracks. Out in the middle of nowhere. A wonderful, rhythm course with some nice technical bits and a fantastic smooth track surface. Even from Atlanta, I plan on making it up for a weekend in the fall.

Chad

gums

In any case, my guess is that it's just like a race car; building or buying it is one thing, keeping it running is quite another!

Willard Bridgham 3

Think first of Lime Rock Park....it's near NY metro center.

What do you think that would cost to reproduce now? You'd eat 10 mil just hiring professionals to go to Town meetings.

Buy 50 acres in Lakeville, Conn........now you're talking real money.

Construction costs will be a small percentage of the cost.

Racerrob

Beaverun is a club-level track in a rural area about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. I believe that they are around the number that is being thrown around here: 10 mil. They are, however, currently in bankruptcy. No word yet on whether they are coming out or if someone is buying them for pennies on the dollar.

I think it is true that unless you are a premier track, only the 2nd or 3rd owners make money.

gums

Beaverun is in bankruptcy?
And I'm hearing that Monticello is in a mess, too.
Anyone know what's going on up there?