In the late 1990s, fear of NHMS' and Lime Rock's future prompted the New England Region Sports Car Club of America NER SCCA to form a New Track Committee. By 2004, a 500-acre parcel was found and the Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP) saga began.
With a P&S in hand, NER drafted a site plan and after professional review and public hearings, on December 17 2007, the Palmer Planning Board issued NER a special-use permit. A pro racer & developer took over and submitted a new site plan (shown here), car suites, hotel, and a Barkow Leibinger designed building (Image1, Image2, summary), which was approved on January 5, 2009.
But the project stalled after the 2008 recession. By 2011, with a $5K monthly nut ($250K all-in), NER’s Treasurer & board were set to bail when a useful idiot appeared. With funds, land, and an amended site plan in hand, ground was finally broken in late 2013 (Groundbreaking Memo) and on May 8, 2015, PMP opened Whiskey Hill Raceway, with views into Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont. In 2016 Road & Track magazine named PMP one of North America's top 10 race tracks to drive.
Like all sagas, PMP has its heroes. First, NER's Dick Patullo, Rob Laverty and Bruce Allen who: chaired the committee, plotted a swooping 2+mile circuit, and Excel'd a rosy biz plan; SCCA and Palmer folks – Kathy Barnes, Bob Ring, Don Duffy; Tim Pappas, for eco-centric plans; Glenn Conser & Bill Kephart for Rocky Mountain High Plains support. Credit also goes to Hampden Bank's Don Anderson; J. Read Corp's Greg Read & Dan Moeller; HMS’ Joe Marko, TMS’ Will Turner, & Kenny Payson for $.02 advice; Jono Fryer Esq for Moto-Vita verve; and lastly, to short-order cook, scribe and hotshoe "Fast Fred."
History continues to be made by: Christopher Tier, Al Sandy, JC, Kaleigh, Kevin, Matt, Mark, Nick, Jack, Stan & staff who blow the marbles, wack the weeds, wave flags, pump gas, post pics, mop floors, guard the gates and and keep the lights on; and by the instructors, sponsors, members, and those who turn hot laps or just chill in the paddock.