$80M payout is unlike anything owners would likely see from revenue in next 20 years

Yay... another data center.

 

Everything's for sale at the right price. Maybe they'll take the 80 mil and build another track in the region. One can hope lol.

 

Yep, super gutted. Also my home track, have been going for 3-4 years now . If the datacenter rumor is true, will just add to the sting of the track being shut down. I went to a track night last month, didn't think it'd be my last time to go around the circuit-- but not looking like I can make it out for another event this year with other plans. Maybe I'll go spectate gridlife, though.

 

I'm frantically looking at what event I might be able to do this year before it closes but doesn't seem to be in the cards. I guess it will live on in my world via Assetto Corsa.

At this rate data center seems most likely. I've been indifferent to AI, keeping my head in the sand as long as I can because I want nothing to do with it. Killing my favorite race track was not on my AI disruption bingo card. Here's hoping the municipality fucking forbids it and it ends up being an Amazon warehouse or something.

 

Odd that this happens to such a well maintained and renovated track. The south portion of the track is only 10 years old, and the entire paving there is still in great shape (being 8 years old).
I can't imagine this going to a housing development as some of the commenters in the article claim. It's in the middle of nowhere and there's no lack of space around Wampum to build whatever they want.

 

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the thumbnail on my phone. This is my hometown track.

I figured surely it'll just go to new owners. But somewhere the owners confirmed that it is going to "developers" which doesn't bode well at all.

One Of The East Coast's Best Race Tracks Is Reportedly Closing For Good - The Autopian

Pitt Race, one of the most exciting race tracks on the East Coast, is reportedly shutting its doors for good.

www.theautopian.com

.

We've had several around here in North Texas shutdown. Sucks.

 

The new generation does not go to race tracks of any kind, they don't buy sports cars, or muscle cars or Harleys , they don't buy whiskey, and they don't like tuna in cans (they prefer plastic pouches). Lifestyles are changing folks.

 

Can’t blame em on the Harleys.

 

Ah, reminds me of a conversation I had with my dad before I went to college. “By the time I was your age I had nice cars, a Harley and boat!” as if I wanted to be driving a beater and have no money. And how did he achieve all of that? Working at a grocery store. “Times have changed, dad.”

The younger generation will go to the track once they can afford it. It took me til I was 40 before I felt it was a financially reasonable thing to do. As if it’s ever a financially reasonable thing to do!

 

Yep. I am an engineer in my mid-20s and can barely afford to take my shitbox miata to the track lol. No way I'm in a financial position I could take my daily (the 86) and risk crashing/breaking down.

 

Sounds like you need to find a new place to be an engineer. 😬

Honestly not trying to throw any shade, but I am also an engineer working for a small lighting company and I make what I feel like isn’t really enough but it’s still plenty to get both of the toys out to the track once a month or so. I’m a little bit older but not enough to make a real difference. I wasn’t making a ton less 5yrs ago.

And yes, I drift both. When one needs tires I switch while they’re being changed.

 

Ok, we’ve had the premiere antagonists take. Now we need the Dave Ramsey guy to come in and tell us we shouldn’t be considering going to the track until our mortgage is paid, we have 2.5M in the bank and 4M in retirement

 

It really is a sad fact of society that the younger generations are not as passionate about racing cars and cars in general

See the link below:

MSN

 

... I don't think there is anything negative to be said about younger generations or attendance.

That is a @redherring .

TNiA numbers are up. SCCA TT is doing well. GRID Life is getting bigger. All my local tracks are doing fine.

In this case, it was up to the owners and they caved, for whatever reason. Unless they come public with the reason, it is just selling out.

I have see lots of farm land turn into housing complexes as well.

It happens but I don't think it is related at all to younger generations or the current track attendance.

 

My anecdotal experience was that "these kids don't care about cars " ... until they hit that 12-13 yrs old point. Makes sense, that's how I was. Human nature isn't changing and gizmos and gadgets can only get you so far for scratching that itch