Tree Clearing Fall 2013
Whiskey Hill Raceway Spring 2015
Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP) was envisioned (in the late 1990s) as the flagship track of the New England Region Sports Car Club of America (NER SCCA), which had formed a new track committee and LLC (NER Investments) to locate, construct, and operate a racetrack. After a 5+ year search, a 600+ acre tract on Whiskey Hill in Palmer Massachusetts was found and secured.
In December 2007, after professional reviews and public hearings, the Palmer Planning Board granted a special use permit. A local racer/developer was given control and made further changes: a new layout (shown here), hotel, restaurant, private garages suites and aBarkow Leibinger-designed structure, which the Palmer Planning Board approved in 2009.
As a result of the 2008 recession, the project stalled and control was again transferred. After funding and permits were secured, J. Read Corp. broke ground (Groundbreaking Memo) in late 2013. After more site work and a few hiccups, Whiskey Hill Raceway opened in May, 2015: a bidirectional 2.3 mile racetrack with 190+ feet of elevation and vistas into New York, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The trade magazine Road & Track proclaimed Whiskey Hill Raceway one of the top 10 race tracks to drive in North America.
No history is complete without naming names. First and foremost, NER SCCA's Dick Patullo, Bruce Allen, Don Laverty and Lou Gingerella, who chaired the committee, Excel'd a biz plan, designed a balanced-site road course, and donned a golden parachute; SCCA and town officials – Kathy Barnes, Bob Ring & Don Duffy, Mike Marciniec & Linda Leduc – who cut red tape; Tim Pappas and his eco-prescient plans; and "Wanking for Palmer" Leon & Jordie G. Credit (literally) goes to Don Anderson of Hampden County Savings Bank and to Greg Read & Dan Moeller for actually building it. In cameo roles: Joe Marko & Will Turner for free advice, Judas Jono for Uriah Heep advice, Charli-Electrified Greenhaus for solar flares, and your land court jester & scribe "Fast Fred" (and long suffering & eye rolling spouse).
History continues to be made by: Christopher Tier, Al Sandy, JC, Kaleigh, Kevin, Matt, Mark, Nick, Stan & staff who scrub floors, wack weeds, wave flags, pump gas, guard the gates & post the pics; and by our sponsors and members and all those who tear up the alphalt or just hang out in the paddock.
|