Renderings are floating around FaceBook.... Looks really good. We've come a Long Way.... (as soon as someone smarter than me cuts & pastes the renderings,,, I'm certain that MANY opinions, ETC. will roll ).. maybe DW and Danica will get some rest while ISC bashing commences.
Tax subsidies for the $375-$400 million Daytona frontstretch redevelopment project were voted down in May by the Florida legislature. Today's announcement says the project will be funded now by ISC and begin on July 5 of this year with completion targeted for January 2016, prior to the Rolex 24. It will be part of a $600 million five-year improvement program for the 13 ISC tracks. Back in February, ISC released the video below narrated by Tom Selleck to inform of the project. Artists renderings from ISC are below that.
Not having been to Daytona since the late 90s, I'm sure I wouldn't even recognize today's facility. The new one certainly looks impressive.
looks good now..really will look good.......
I think the changes will be a good thing, especially taking out the lower rows where debris is likely to land. I think they said that they were adding new seats higher up, but that's just bluster to conceal the fact that attendance is down.
They just repaved so there's no chance of reducing the banking and getting rid of restrictor plates. It seems like a bad decision not to do that but I guess they didn't have the cash at the time. I'm glad that they have to do this with their own cash and I'm on record as not in favor of any government entity subsidizing the creation/maintenance/upgrade of any privately owned sports facility.
Daytona Speedway is the figurehead for stock car racing and needs to keep up with the times. I'd rather that they improved things for the average fan, but I know that the majority of the money will go towards suites, TV facilities and retail outlets.
As for the "$600 million five-year improvement program for the 13 ISC tracks", I don't believe that there will be any major improvements anywhere but Watkins Glen. Darlington isn't a major market, Martinsville is already perfect, Fontana, Kansas & Chicago are boring tracks that won't last through the decade. But if there's a hint of Formula 1 money coming back to Watkins Glen, ISC will be slobbering the same way that Indianapolis did.
Kansas isn't going anywhere, I don't think. They just repaved it, added a casino in the infield and it's got a sportscar date starting this year too.
Fontana may well be at risk but then again, it's in the golden market so it might always retain one race and personally, I loved the gen-6 race there this year.
I guess Chicago might be the next track getting a repave? It's pretty rough and after 'potholegate' in 2010, looks like they're not taking any chances.
Interesting to think about F1 going back to the Glen. It'll definitely take a good chunk of that $600m to bring it up to F1's lofty standards.
I'm all for the elevators and esclators! Gettin too dang old to climb those steps.
Yeah, I'm starting to pay attention to the chair lift commercials on tv!
I'd rather have a 3/8 mile dirt track
Bobby, you are spot on with the dirt track-- Bet it would fill more seats than can be imagined.. Just look at the crowd that came just to watch you drive around the beach slowly one time
VOLUSIA COUNTY SPEEDWAY... nearby...
Wally, thanks for bringing up Volusia county. I have this vision: next year, in conjunction with the beach parade (it's already scheduled for Feb. 15th) what if Volusia county hosted a vintage race? They are already racing nightly during speedweeks, and the vintage parade/race could become an annual part of the festivities.
Great Idea Bobby,,,,, Good for all !! Zetta ??
What a terrific thought, Bopper!
