Jayski's version...
Canadian track another step closer: For years, there has been talks about bringing a major racetrack to Fort Erie, Canada. However, a proposal got one step closer to reality Monday night when the town council unanimously passed the plan presented by a group of developers. The project, which is partially backed by NASCAR star Jeff Gordon and his design team, is called the "Canadian Motor Speedway" and would be the first major racetrack in the country. The investors are willing to spend several hundred million dollars to build the 65,000-seat track, which will include a 1-mile oval track and a road course. The plan now goes before the Niagara Regional Council Wednesday. If it passes as expected, the permitting and zoning process will begin. Town officials say there are about a dozen more steps before the project will get the final okay; however, if all goes as planned, construction could start in months. It's important to note NASCAR has not committed to the site; however, it is the goal of the developers to bring NASCAR, Indy or another high-profile motorsports organization to the Canadian Motor Speedway.(WGRZ.com)(12-9-2009)
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'You have to build it first'
Canadian Motor Speedway could host a variety of events
Posted By RAY SPITERI Review Staff Writer
Updated 1 day ago
NASCAR says they are not in the business of building race tracks, so unless one has already been built, they are not prepared to discuss how they might get involved.
When asked about the possibility of their organization expanding into Canada, or being involved in some way with a proposal being looked at in Fort Erie, a representative from NASCAR's public relations department in Florida referred all questions to their legal department
"NASCAR does not build race tracks. After a track is built, then they would apply for a sanction for a race. So, until something is built, there is no way to know," said a representative from their legal department. "Once the track applies for a sanction, it's at that point when NASCAR would decide."
The Canadian Motor Speedway plan, proposed to be built on 821 acres of land just west of the QEW between Bowen and Gilmore roads, has got motor heads wondering what type of race events the facility will host if built.
Jay Mason, a partner in the speedway project, would not comment.
"We can't even remotely talk about that. It will get me in nothing but trouble," said Mason. "Look at the facility. It speaks for itself."
It's unlikely any racing sanctioning body will commit to the speedway until it's up and running, said Erik Tomas, anchor for The Raceline Radio.
"You have to build it first, then go after the dates," said Tomas, heard on 20 stations across the country, including Monday nights at 9 p.m. on 105.1 The River in Niagara Falls.
"I can only imagine how many plans NASCAR, for example, gets from those wanting a commitment from them prior to a build.
"But with this proposal in Fort Erie, you've got folks with deep enough pockets who are saying 'We'll front load it. We'll build it first and let's see what we can do after that.' That's the right approach."
And with grandstand seating for up to 100,000 people, a Jeff Gordon-design signature speedway with a one-mile oval track and a 2.5-mile road course, there are a number of race possibilities, said Tomas.
"As far as the one-mile oval is concerned, it would be the first in Canada of that size and for capacity," he said.
"They can go after NASCAR events, but I don't see them getting the Sprint Cup Series, at least not initially."
The Sprint Cup is the top racing series of NASCAR.
"It's not just up to NASCAR, it's also the sponsors," said Tomas. "They will do whatever makes business sense and it will really have to beneficial to the sponsors to come to Fort Erie. That may take a while."
He said it's more likely the Canadian Motor Speedway would be able to lure the Nationwide Series, which is essentially the level below Sprint Cup.
"One series I could also see them going after immediately is NASCAR's Truck Series. NASCAR's Modified Series could run there, and so could the NASCAR Canadian Series, which used to be known as CASCAR."
Aside from NASCAR, Tomas said the Indy Racing League could also be a good fit on the speedway's one-mile oval.
He said the road course would have the capability to host events such as the American Le Mans Series, the Grand-Am Sports Car Series, and on the motorcycle side of things, the Parts Canada Superbike Series and MotoGP Grand Prix.
"One thing we have to keep in mind where we are is that we have a narrow weather window to schedule races," he said. "The racing season traditionally runs from the 24th of May to Labour Day, so you'll have to work dates in largely between that period."
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