Auto-Magic
Bluegrass
Motorsports Park
displays progress at open house
Track
is on schedule for
opening in spring 2009, owners say
By
Don Ward
Editor
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GLENCOE, Ky. (November 2008) – Developers of
a unique private auto racing club in the rural hills of Gallatin County
say they are on track for a spring 2009 opening and held an open house
Oct. 18 to show off their progress.
More than 200 people attended the two-hour event, which included a cookout
and tours of the construction site that will soon become the Bluegrass
Motorsports Park. President Brad Poppell of Cincinnati and his team
of investors hosted the event at the site, located a few miles off I-71
at the Glencoe, Ky., exit. Visitors were treated to auto tours of the
yet-unpaved road course and horse rides on trails throughout the site.
The developers held a groundbreaking event earlier this year. After
a brief slowdown, work now to pave the 3.65 miles of asphalt road course
is in full gear, according to Poppell and Operations Director Andy Vertrees.
Buckner, Ky., resident Vertrees previously worked as Director of Operations
at the Kentucky Speedway, located just a few miles away.
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Photo
by Don Ward Brad
Poppel (center), president |
“The good news is that despite the economy, the response
to Bluegrass has been awesome, and we are still keeping our commitment
to bring you this Derek Daly Signature Course,” Poppell said in
a statement. “This open house is a great opportunity to stop the
talking and show you what hard work and teamwork creates.
Since the groundbreaking, the developers have changed the name from
Bluegrass Motorsports Club to Bluegrass Motorsports Park in an effort
to more accurately reflect the long-term vision of the project, the
developers say.
“We believe this project will create a successful and enjoyable
experience for participants and spectators alike,” Poppell said.
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The developers hope to complete paving of the track by
the end of the year to allow the asphalt to cure over the winter in
preparation for a grand opening in spring 2009. The Phase I track will
be 2.5 miles long and feature six configurations. The longest course
at the facility will be 3.54 miles long at full build-out. In its entirety,
the track will encompass nine different race tracks offering 22 different
configurations.
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While the facility is a private membership club, it will
be available for rent by non-members. Non-members will also be allowed
to participate in driving schools. Developers are working to enlist
many sanctioning bodies and clubs to host events and bring professional
racing series to the track. Two events already are being planned for
the track’s inaugural season in 2009: the “OktoberFast,”
produced by the German Touring Sportscar Challenge National Championship
Race; and the One Lap of America. The GTS is an all German car series
featuring the best in Deutsche engineering (BMW, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagon
and Mercedes-Benz).
In addition to auto racing, the facility will offer nature and horseback
riding trails and an elaborate clubhouse.
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Membership is available at two levels: the Team and Associate
memberships. Each one has an initiation fee and annual dues. The Team
membership requires a $9,900 initiation fee and $3,200 in annual dues.
Associate membership requires a $4,900 initiation fee and $1,200 in
annual dues. All dues will be held in escrow and will not be applied
until the club opens for operation.
• For information about membership, call 1-888-50.TRACK or visit: www.DriveBluegrass.com.