Tree Clearing Fall 2013
Whiskey Hill Raceway Spring 2015
Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP) was conceived by the New England Region Sports Car Club of America (NER SCCA) which formed a new track committee and LLC (NER Investments) to find, develop, and operate a racetrack. After a lengthy search, a 600+ acre tract on Whiskey Hill in Palmer was found and secured.
In December 2007, after professional review and public hearings, the Palmer Planning Board granted a special permit. A local racer/developer then took over and made further changes: a new track layout (shown here), hotel, restaurant, private garages and aBarkow Leibinger-designed structure, which the Palmer Planning Board approved in 2009.
Following the 2008 recession, the project stalled and in late 2011, ownership of NER Investments was transferred. After funding and all permits were secured, the land was purchased and J. Read Corp. broke ground in late 2013 (Groundbreaking Memo).
In May, 2015, after much site work and a few hiccups, Whiskey Hill Raceway opened: a bidirectional 2.3 mile racetrack with 190+ feet of vertical elevation & vistas extending into New York, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The trade magazine Road & Track named Whiskey Hill Raceway one of the top 10 racetracks 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 (respectively) chaired the track committee, drafted a business plan, laid out the circuit, and donned a golden parachute; SCCA and town officials – Bob Ring & Don Duffy, Mike M & Linda L, Kathy Barnes – who cut red tape and paved the way; Tim Pappas and his eco-friendly designs; and lastly, "Working for Palmer" Leon D & Jordie G.
Credit (literally) goes to Don Anderson & Hampden County Savings Bank, and to Greg Read & Dan Moeller for orchestrating the site work. In cameo roles: J.Fryer Esquire, Charli-Electrocuted Greenhaus, and [MA Land] court jester & scribe "Fast Fred".
History continues with: Christopher Tier, Trevor Hermance, Al Sandy, Kaleigh, Kevin, Matt, Mark, JC & staff who scrub floors, wack weeds, wave flags, pump gas, guard the gate & post pics; and by the sponsors, club members and others who tear up the tarmac or just hangout in the paddock.
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