Gainsville Getting the Treatment
Written by Jory Elliott · March 15, 2006
NHRA announced Tuesday that Gainesville Raceway will undergo a major redevelopment including luxury VIP box suites atop the South Side Grandstands on the pit side. Also part of the facelift at one of the most well-known drag racing facilities in the country will include construction of a permanent Top Eliminator Club in its current location and a complete overhaul of the current race control tower and suites.
“The NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals and Gainesville Raceway have become one of the premier stops in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series and the East Coast kick-off for the 23-race season,” said Peter Clifford, executive vice president and general manager, NHRA. “This expansion project will not only enhance the fan experience for our Top Eliminator Club seat holders, but current and future suite holders.”
The first phase of the project, which will be completed in time for this year’s NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals, is a 15,000-square-foot permanent Top Eliminator Club structure located on the south side of the TEC Grandstand. The new steel framed structure with removable side curtains for inclement weather is equipped with permanent lighting and available throughout the year for hospitality functions, shows, festivals, vendor use, classroom space, display space and banquets, in addition to being the primary structure for Top Eliminator Club guests at the national event.
Immediately following the conclusion of the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, construction will begin on luxury VIP Skybox Suites on the south side of the main pit side, reserved seat grandstand. In all, eight individual suites will be built offering suite holders both inside and outside seating and unparalleled views of both the drag strip and the open pits. Similar in design as the sky boxes recently built at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and currently being constructed at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.), the suites will have full glass front walls and individual chair back seating outside in front of each suite. The suites will be completed in time for the 2007 season.
As part of the master renovation of Gainesville Raceway, plans also call for a new race control building with a state of the art media center and 360 degree race control center on the top floor. In addition NHRA will, in coming years, remodel the permanent restroom facilities throughout the facility and install new permanent grandstands on the spectator side (north side) with remodeled gates and entrance areas to connect spectator side guests to the pit side, as well as remodel the existing ticket buildings.
Comments
10 Responses to “Gainsville Getting the Treatment”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I suppose along with these improvements will come an admissions price “improvement”. Big help for those of us on a fixed income and who enjoy being in the sun and more directly experience the event.
David,
It is quite possible that there will be an increase in the ticket prices for the average fan. I would like to think that the NHRA has done its homework and can financially validate the boxes without having to hit the pockets of the average fan. After all without the fans there would be no sponsors and no NHRA in the form it currently exists. So thanks to guys like you who spend part of the little income you have to attend the best motor sports spectacle on the planet.
Jory Elliott
NHRA has already managed to price me and my grandson “out” for Saturdays and Sundays. It appears Friday won’t be far behind. This is a shame, as I have been taking this 9 year old boy for the past 5 years. Additionally, the Friday crowd, by my guess, exceeds what the Sunday crowd used to be. I hope the additonal revenue is worth it, because the horrendous traffic in and out, coupled with the increased admission prices have chased off more than the two of us. Then, put him at the top of the stands in the hope he can see something, only to have how many hundreds of taller people stand in front of him, completely blocking his view. Hey, and this just occurred to me, perhaps NHRA could give some thought to saving the first 2 or 3 rows on the bottom, every day, for those who are “vertically challenged” and the adults who accompany them! Gosh, would you rather have those 9 year olds return every year or gradually give it up? I’m 62, where is NHRA gonna be when I no longer attend and the youngsters have given up? Thanks for listening, and be it known that if there was professional qualifying on Thursday, we’d be there. They’d have to do something drastic to make Saturday and Sunday “fun” again. PLease, NHRA, don’t ever mess up the parking like was done at the Keystones years back (and which I quit attending after the second year of messed up parking). You might recall they decided that early arrivals would get parked on the “back 40″ and walk in, while late arrivals got to park closer. I always arrive early and leave late. Don’t treat that way. David
David,
Its been so long since I have attended an NHRA national event. In fact its been so long that I am sure things have changed significantly. I am upset that you and your grandson have been driven away by the NHRA and its high priced tickets. Although Im not sure of your geographical location have you considered the IHRA as an alternative? The show they put on is quite good for the money and I would hate to see fans both young and old be turned off simply because of dollars and cents.
It is truly disturbing to me how much the NHRA has forgotten its roots based on family values and focused on corporate america. It is hard for all of us who grew up either watching the local drags or as the child of a racer, to swallow the fact that the NHRA has forgotten about what made it popular in the first place and what it will have to come back to when corporate america decides to look elsewhere.
I am by no means bashing the NHRA I am just of the beleif that no matter how big, powerful or successful you become in life you need to remember your roots and remember all those that helped you along the way to your success when you had nothing.
Cheers,
Jory Elliott
LIVID?? You bet. Arrived at Gainesville Raceway at 8 a.m., parked in the “back 40″, while later arrivals and all motorcycles got to park closer, the motorcycles right in front of the ticket booth. The number of “handicapped” vehicles was mind boggling. Now, NHRA/track officials were verifying the identity versus the placards, so they can’t be faulted. The system that issues such placards to, for instance, an individual in a 3/4 ton truck, “jacked up in the air”, clearly signed as a lawn service, is just plain WRONG. I have nothing against the disabled parking close, but my bet is that at the very least, 75% of the vehicles placarded belonged to people who cheated the system. I guess doctors will write anyone what they want, for a fee. If I were vindictive, I’d wish those folks what they seem to want….to actually BE disabled! (Be careful what you wish for). I digress. Given the “back 40″ scenario, as far as I’m concerned, if the admission price goes up 5 cents next year, NHRA has seen the last of me. If the price doesn’t go up and I’m parked in the “back 40″ again, ditto. I fear you have it correct, NHRA has forgotten. Nuff said.
You probably noted that we left “early” today, making the dreaded 2 hour plus drive thru several “geezersville” areas……actually I tend to quantify all traffic that way anymore………..you know, left lane, posted 55 (or more), travelling 20. Anyhoooooo, we left at my grandson’s request. Tired from walking in from the back 40 and fed up with top fuel cars that couldn’t “hook up”. The only thing he really wanted to see was many 300+mph runs, preferably 330. After today, I think NHRA may have lost him for good. Too bad, but think of the money we’ll save. No drive, no stress, no admission, no food, no T-shirts or hats. To be truthful, I used to long for better TV coverage of non-local events, but now I don’t even bother to watch it…………..just not that interesting. NHRA is becoming NASCAR, which I rarely take an interest in anymore, either. That’s it, I’m done, and apparently no one else in the world has read any of this or cares. The “dumbing” of America.
This is long over due. I hope the improvements to fan amenities, ie restrooms is a priority. When women have to wait in line and then the restroom is below standards, it is a deterrence to keeping or making a new fan.
Bob,
Although its only been 2 years since I was at Gainsville I really dont remember the condition of the facilities. If what you are saying is true, and im sure it is, then yes it is an overdue renovation that is neccessary in order to keep the current fans pleased so that they will in turn bring more fans with them. It must be a enjoyable experience for anyone to want to return.
Jory
The mens room, and I guess there is only on on the pit side, has 3 toliets and 5 or 6 urinals. The facility needs to take care of the fans. That is the only way to grow. I would gladly pay a few dollars more if it is put toward improved fan support items. Don’t tell anyone this but the NHRA is a heck of a bargian in today’s pro sports world!
i was there this year and i personally think that anything good takes a little work and for what i saw…i would have walked.i was also in the tec area which had no facility problems at all. and parking was awesome. you get what you pay for. have any of you been to a football game lately? talk about $ and theres a whole lot more than one venue. so unless your traveling the circuit i wouldnt whine about one event.cant wait till next year maybe 9000 hp.