In the late 1990s, fear of NHMS' and Lime Rock's future led New England Region Sports Car Club of America NER SCCA to create NER Investments LLC. Around 2004, a 500-acre site 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 drafted a new plan (shown here), car suites, hotel, and a Barkow Leibinger designed building (Image1, Image2, summary), which was approved on January 5, 2009.
But the 2008 recession derailed things. With a $5K monthly nut ($250K all-in), NER’s treasurer and board were set to bail, when a useful idiot appeared. With funds, land and a new site plan, ground was finally broken (Groundbreaking Memo) and on May 8, 2015, PMP opened Whiskey Hill Raceway: a 2+ mile road course with vistas into Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont. Road & Track magazine listed PMP as 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 flowing circuit, and Excel'd a rosy biz plan; SCCA and Palmer folks – Kathy Barnes, Bob Ring, Don Duffy; Tim Pappas for his eco-centric plans; Glenn Conser & Bill Kephart for their Rocky Mountain High Plains support. Credit goes to Hampden Bank's Don Anderson for credit; J. Read Corp's Greg Read & Dan Moeller for doing the work; HMS’ Joe Marko, TMS’ Will Turner, & Kenny Payson for $.02 advice; J. Fryer, Esq. for his 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 many instructors, sponsors, members, and others who race on track or just chill in the paddock.