Cal Club Autocross Forums

Flew into LA yesterday ... flew over Norton, CA Spdway, Irwindale and Hollywood Park.

It looked like there had been fairly recent AX activity at Hollywood Park? The "AX Lot" there was nice and clear. Any updates on it's availability?

Our former usual Norton area is still covered with containers. The other two open areas are ... still open. What's happening with Norton.

Also ... anything new with the LA County Fairgrounds complex?

looks like we're good for next year ... just wondering about other venues ... for other events.

Hollywood Park

Last time I ran at Hollywood Park the surface was breaking down quite badly. I can't imagine that's improved since then. It would be a last choice, in my opinion, unless they've done maintenance... which I doubt since the near term plan - now canceled - was to tear down the facility for a shopping center.

Mike

Mike Simanyi wrote:Last time I ran at Hollywood Park the surface was breaking down quite badly. I can't imagine that's improved since then. It would be a last choice, in my opinion, unless they've done maintenance... which I doubt since the near term plan - now canceled - was to tear down the facility for a shopping center.

Mike

Yeah, you couldn't pay me enough to drive a kart on that surface again.

Unless they have recently repaved, LA Fairgrounds are similar. They also have sound issues that have prevented us from running there before.

I remember it was like Fort Knox last time we went to Norton for the concrete Test n Tune before 2005 Nationals. I wonder if things have eased up at all?

are you/we looking for new spots in addition, or new spots to replace Cal Speedway?

just wondering why I keep seeing so much about new places? whats wrong with Cal Speedway?

I've always thought that the Santa Anita Race (Horse) Track would work great... Big lots.

Aaron McKinnon wrote:I've always thought that the Santa Anita Race (Horse) Track would work great... Big lots.

Churchs right next to it don't like noise on sundays.

Casey Brier wrote:are you/we looking for new spots in addition, or new spots to replace Cal Speedway?

just wondering why I keep seeing so much about new places? whats wrong with Cal Speedway?

It's far away, the sites closer to LA and the ocean used to get us huge turn outs.

Casey Brier wrote:are you/we looking for new spots in addition, or new spots to replace Cal Speedway?

just wondering why I keep seeing so much about new places? whats wrong with Cal Speedway?

There's nothing wrong with AAA Speedway Casey. We're focusing the majority of our events there with a few at El Toro (while we still can.)

AAA Speedway offers us a great facility with lots of flexibility and great value. We appreciate all that Brian Geye and his team do for us.

It's never foolish to keep our eyes and ears open though. When we eventually lose El Toro, for example, we'll potentially be down to one place to run. That's not healthy.

Look at San Diego. When Qualcomm stadium goes away - which could be as soon as a year or two from now - where will they hold their events? It can take a good deal of time to establish the relationships and even run an event or two at a new venue to see if it works. Waiting until there are Zero Standard Places to run doesn't make a lot of sense.

For now, we're quite lucky to have two outstanding facilities for our events: AAA Speedway and El Toro.

Mike

Look at San Diego. When Qualcomm stadium goes away - which could be as soon as a year or two from now - where will they hold their events? It can take a good deal of time to establish the relationships and even run an event or two at a new venue to see if it works. Waiting until there are Zero Standard Places to run doesn't make a lot of sense.

In the current economic climate, it will be later rather than sooner, BUT it's inevitable. Site search for SD Solo hasn't been terribly productive.

I sure hope we keep it all here (for my own sake.) I tow 45 minutes from Beaumont to come race. of course that’s just me.
Not to mention I love the facility. from watching videos online I see that we are truly lucky to be racing where we do.
El Toro is nice as well, but I know we are losing that soon.


I understand the "it's never a bad idea to keep your eyes open". makes sense to me.

I was just hoping we were not looking to voluntarily move. That would be devastating to me.

Casey Brier wrote:I sure hope we keep it all here (for my own sake.) I tow 45 minutes from Beaumont to come race. of course that’s just me.
Not to mention I love the facility. from watching videos online I see that we are truly lucky to be racing where we do.
El Toro is nice as well, but I know we are losing that soon.


I understand the "it's never a bad idea to keep your eyes open". makes sense to me.

I was just hoping we were not looking to voluntarily move. That would be devastating to me.

Considering "The Great Park" has turned into "The Great Housing Project", I doubt we'll be losing El Toro anytime soon.

More like "The Great Nothing." And don't forget the Balloondoggle! Pay to see what hasn't happened yet.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:More like "The Great Nothing." And don't forget the Balloondoggle! Pay to see what hasn't happened yet.

Still a free ride.

Jay W

El Toro will be around for a long time. Don't ask me how I know, otherwise I'd have to kill you.

Glenn, you're welcome to ask...

would be nice to have three venues and switch between them during the year.... yes one around la would be wonderful but seems like a long shot.. is dodger stadium a no go??

if we dont add an lots i would like to run 1/2 the events at eltoro even if the cost was slightly higher

not a big fan of the hour drive to fontucky during the hot radioactive months - i do realize the value of the lot and enjoy running it

Jeff Ringer wrote:would be nice to have three venues and switch between them during the year.... yes one around la would be wonderful but seems like a long shot.. is dodger stadium a no go??

if we dont add an lots i would like to run 1/2 the events at eltoro even if the cost was slightly higher

not a big fan of the hour drive to fontucky during the hot radioactive months - i do realize the value of the lot and enjoy running it

Unfortunately Jeff there just aren't that many lots available that suit our needs. We are fortunate to have two of the best lots in the country within reasonable driving distance. Even if there were others available, we would jeopardize our preferred status with AAA Speedway and El Toro if we didn't patronize them on a regular basis. We appreciate all suggestions for possible future venues just in case.

Jeff Ringer wrote:is dodger stadium a no go??

That is a DEFINITE NO-GO. BMWCCA tried a few years ago and they wanted ambulance, fire crews, and....$5k...PER DAY. Uh....NO thanks.

Bill Schenker wrote:El Toro will be around for a long time. Don't ask me how I know, otherwise I'd have to kill you.

Glenn, you're welcome to ask...

Thanks Bill. How do you know?

Now that I asked, both you and Steve have to keep me alive since you both have....and I have copies

I take it the anaheim stadium is cost prohibitive to rent?

i seem to remember them setting up motocross and kart courses on the parking field there, so they're probably not anti motorsports?

Jeff Shyu wrote:I take it the anaheim stadium is cost prohibitive to rent?

i seem to remember them setting up motocross and kart courses on the parking field there, so they're probably not anti motorsports?

We asked about it a few years ago after Moreno bought the team. No dynamic events was the answer. [Speed must have paid them a pretty penny for that kart race.]

Jeff Shyu wrote:I take it the anaheim stadium is cost prohibitive to rent?

We ran one event there in 2000 and were required to remove all tire marks from the surface afterward which turned into a fiasco as I recall.

Its no secret that El Toro will be around for years. Lennar won't do anything with that place until they can make $$$.

Thomas Smith wrote:

Jeff Shyu wrote:I take it the anaheim stadium is cost prohibitive to rent?

We ran one event there in 2000 and were required to remove all tire marks from the surface afterward which turned into a fiasco as I recall.

I suspect it has something to do with Disney having been the owner of the team. But the stadium might be city property.