Landracing Forum

East Coast Timing Association => ECTA General Chat => Topic started by: KeithTurk on February 10, 2011, 03:25:37 PM

Title: The Facility Search....
Post by: KeithTurk on February 10, 2011, 03:25:37 PM
First notice I didn't call it the Un-used runway search...  it's a search for a new home.... temporary or permanent...  a place with 2+ miles of hard surface that is smooth and doesn't require repairs to be usable.... ( we have already done repairs to a facility we can't use at will )....

Basically any Airport that is currently being used as an airport is TOUGH to get into.... Unless it has more then one runway and the long runway in question isn't being used currently.... ( it's often the case that due to Maintenance costs airports will close Long runways).....   If they have 2 runways they can't cross.... they must be parallel or arranged in a triangle....

A really wide two lane road with a return lane would work too...  it would have to be virutually dead flat and have no drainage ditches beside it.... ( not that maxton has the best off course area's ).....    

The Single crowning requirement it has to have a community that WANTS us to be there..... ( Maxton and Laurninburg both want us to be there... but they need to make money to keep the airport alive so... ultimately they signed the contract )

I'm away from my computer most days....  so here's my contact information

KeithTurk@hotmail.com
334 763 6566
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Joe Timney on February 10, 2011, 05:37:43 PM
One additional note:
Thank you for all the input, it DOES help. We are doing the research on various locations now. Please refrain from calling the airports for us.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MiltonP on February 10, 2011, 06:28:43 PM
I noticed up above that Land Speed Louise is giving a presentation to the Air Force Academy on March 15th.  It probably wouldn't hurt the cause if she mentioned the ECTA facility Search expecially if she is already including any content on Maxton and Loring.  I am going to contact her regarding my carrying the logos for the A-12/SR-71 pilots so she can let the AF guys know that a few of their friends are represented in the sport.  I'll leave the facility search content up to you guys though!
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on February 10, 2011, 07:37:55 PM
I'm not up to snuff in searching with Google maps or those search methods -- but there was a Bomarc missle base in Raco, Michigan, way back when -- and I think the concrete is still there.  Raco is in the U P, maybe 40 miles west of the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie for those of you not from up here).  I think the runways are too short -- 6,000 feet comes to mind, I'm not sure why), and I think there were three of them in a triangle.  I know that when I used to drive the medical waste route I'd pass there weekly and would once in a great while see signs of testing automobile stuff and like that -- but only once in a while.  Maybe it's still there, and maybe the 6,000 number is way off.  Somebody wanna check?  It's on the south side of the highway -- M-28, and the area is flatter than a pancake and forested by jack pine and that's all.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: jreken on February 10, 2011, 07:56:28 PM
Jon-

It's still there but way too short. Looks to be only 6000' on each of the three sides. Would make a unique drag strip!!

John
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Moxnix on February 10, 2011, 09:19:38 PM
Municipal airport @ Salina, Kansas, the former Schilling/Smoke Hill AFB, closed in 65, several runways, longest 12,300'.  Looks like limited commercial/civilian traffic not needing longer than the 6000' strips. 
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: KeithTurk on February 10, 2011, 11:13:22 PM
Strip must be 10000' unless it has over runs that make it that long...  9000 is tough but do-able... just not appealing...

Hey Joe... thanks for adding that...    I should have pointed that out....  some of the facility s have heard from 10 well meaning folks already....

I've started compiling a list already....  ( thanks to you guys for the info )
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: bharmon77 on February 11, 2011, 06:51:37 AM
Wilmington Ohio Airpark is over 10,000 feet. Sean Roberts, another local guy ask to take the lead on this proposal and has found the Clinton County Port Authority to be "slow to respond" so the effort appears to be on hold. I did not read Seans written proposal but maybe this new situation with Maxton could add credibility to the proposal?? I will ask Sean if he thinks that direct support from ECTA would help and of course if you agree to this support.

BHarmon
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: 106mm on February 11, 2011, 05:25:14 PM
Everyone,
     A "slow" response from city officials in Wilmington should not be taken as a bad sign. It is merely the speed at which politics typically move. Port Authority meetings don't happen very often. Patience is required. My progress has not slowed and I am in no way disappointed with the tempo of interaction.
     WWW.WILMINGTONMILE.COM has been steadily logging comments from interested parties and a forum will be in place at the site after these comments are compiled. Soon, the people of Wilmington will be able to see firsthand the level of support among the LSR community.
     I am not promising, nor should anyone expect, a race by a specific date. There is a cadence and flow to these things. The well-meaning souls who contact the city on their own may complicate our efforts. That would be unfortunate.
     Until further notice, please know that things are progressing according to plan. I do not give up and I do not lose.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: aircap on February 11, 2011, 11:17:18 PM
Quote
Municipal airport @ Salina, Kansas, the former Schilling/Smoke Hill AFB, closed in 65, several runways, longest 12,300'. 

Any Kansas native can tell you the wind blows here 9 days out of 10, and we don't even notice the breeze until it's over 20MPH.'
Kansas weather is NOT land speed friendly.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: entropy on February 12, 2011, 12:56:35 AM
Until further notice, please know that things are progressing according to plan. I do not give up and I do not lose.

 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

(http://emigratetonewzealand.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/pit_bull_terrier.jpg)
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: roadracer on February 12, 2011, 10:01:21 AM
There was some talk about the former Naval Air Station in Brunswick, ME on the forum last year.  The Navy had recently paved the runways before they sent the P-3's to Jacksonville for the base closure.   
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Plan B on February 12, 2011, 11:17:27 AM
106mm --- Well stated, well done.

"The wheels of justice grind very slowly" ..... abbreviated version of an ancient quote - somewhat applicable here.

 Patiently standing by .............
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Tman on February 13, 2011, 10:52:56 AM
Dunno if I posted this on the other thread?



http://www.airfields-freeman.com/index.htm

If anything a fun site for abandoned airfields.

Found this thread in a search as well.

http://forums.radioreference.com/aircraft-monitoring-forum/16086-really-long-runways.html

And for giggles, looks like Zimbabwe has an option :-D

http://www.simtours.net/longestrunways.php
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MiltonP on February 13, 2011, 11:10:49 AM
Tman,  That site was interesting and fun but not much on there that fits the requirements from what I scanned.  The other links show promise for options those in MS and further on out west though.

Roadracer,  Brunswick does have the outstanding feature of being down the road from the lobster feast in Popham Beach and also has a great fried oyster joint just across from the north end of the runway; unfortunately, it doesn't look like the runways are long enough.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: jacksoni on February 13, 2011, 11:31:14 AM
Found another old ECTA newsletter with similar issues when Spence Field became not available.  Suggestions that currently might be possible include Cecil Field NAS, Jacksonville, BRAC abandoned in 1999 and currently with industrial/community use but non military. Recent comment suggested someone wanted start a flying school so presume runways still there. A real possible. 12000 ft.

Second is the Oklahoma "space port" 15000 ft.    http://www.thespacereview.com/article/157/1  Burns Flat near Clinton, OK. Getting a bit far from "east coast) but worth some looking into.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Tman on February 13, 2011, 01:34:42 PM
Tman,  That site was interesting and fun but not much on there that fits the requirements from what I scanned.  The other links show promise for options those in MS and further on out west though.

Roadracer,  Brunswick does have the outstanding feature of being down the road from the lobster feast in Popham Beach and also has a great fried oyster joint just across from the north end of the runway; unfortunately, it doesn't look like the runways are long enough.

I know, but thought I would throw it out there, the more eyes on this thing the better. I applaud the ECTA for all its accomplished so far!
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: roadracer on February 14, 2011, 07:02:57 AM
Found another old ECTA newsletter with similar issues when Spence Field became not available.  Suggestions that currently might be possible include Cecil Field NAS, Jacksonville, BRAC abandoned in 1999 and currently with industrial/community use but non military. Recent comment suggested someone wanted start a flying school so presume runways still there. A real possible. 12000 ft.

Second is the Oklahoma "space port" 15000 ft.    http://www.thespacereview.com/article/157/1  Burns Flat near Clinton, OK. Getting a bit far from "east coast) but worth some looking into.
I would love to be able to race at Cecil Field.  I spent many days there in the Navy.  Last I heard the Coast Guard and DEA were flying intervention flights from there.  Lots of runway there and easy access to the place.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: KeithTurk on February 16, 2011, 07:31:26 AM
Cecil field is a great runway... unfortunately it's ACTIVE.... and that prevents our use...

( I did talk to them and the State of Florida Aviation folks )( they recommended Dade County as well... )
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: LSR Mike on February 16, 2011, 08:41:42 AM
Have the manufacturer Proving Grounds been considered? I already know the Honda Track here in Ohio is off limits (Buckeye Bullet Driver Works there) but maybe one in Michigan is more open?
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: KeithTurk on February 17, 2011, 08:58:54 AM
I spent a lot of time talking to Roger at the Honda track ( buckeye bullet driver).. he was great...  He pointed out that the track wasn't a good fit but mentioned some folks who knew some folks...

SO he opened some doors and we walked through them....don't know what the outcome of that will be long term.... but we're looking at another testing facility...

K
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: wheels777 on February 18, 2011, 01:05:41 PM
I spent a lot of time ...             .... but we're looking ...

K
I love ya' man!  Thank you
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Malcolm UK on February 20, 2011, 04:24:40 AM
Keith, Joe and all of ECTA.

Wish I could be of help to you but the UK is a bit too far for East Coast racers to travel.  I know exactly what effort you are having to put in on this facility hunt ...... over here in England we have a much smaller ground search area :-D.

Having worked for over three years to get a blue boat onto Coniston Water (to exceed 10mph) with support from the controlling bodies, I urge the ECTA membership to be patient whenever you get involved with political bodies.

The Monster Mile form of our speed sport is a great way to enjoy a weekend.  I feel sure that the right team is working on the project and that John B is looking down on us all to ensure that a new facility is found.

Malcolm, Derby, England
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: racer x on February 20, 2011, 07:04:00 AM
Is the blue boat Blue Bird?
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Malcolm UK on February 20, 2011, 09:19:18 AM
Excuse us a moment Keith & Co.,

The boat is Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 as recovered from plus 40 metres of Coniston Water and being reconstructed using the material recovered from the bottom of the lake in 2001.  www.bluebirdproject.com

Malcolm, Derby, England
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MiltonP on February 20, 2011, 10:24:34 AM
I have been following that effort a bit and love the documentary videos.  Did I miss the run or are you still working on permissions?  I was thinking about crossing the pond for that event if possible.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Malcolm UK on February 20, 2011, 11:02:06 AM
Information on Bluebird K7 in the non lsr section of the forum.  Done today, just so Keith and joe get their thread back and SSS does not have to moderate incorrect postings.  Malcolm.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: racer x on February 20, 2011, 02:41:32 PM
The project has been a greeat insperation to me . The work that has been done and the effort and skill is truly amazing. It is truly a fantastic thing for Great Britin.  The Campbell family and the rest of man kind thanks you for this. I will make a point of going to see Blue Bird in person one day
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: regal7point5 on February 26, 2011, 08:08:22 AM
This might be a dumb question, and I don't know the logistics/laws but I'll throw it out there...

Are we limiting this to airports only?  What about roads, like they use at the Sandhills ORC?  They do a mile shootout...and not all the entrants are street legal cars.  I am sure the layout of airports are much more desireable as they have "return" roads, instead of having to find a series of roads in the middle of nowhere that could be used as a race surface and "return" road.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Stainless1 on February 26, 2011, 09:54:56 AM
I10 in west Texas would be great... just have to figure out how to shut it down for a run  :roll:

Back in my youth, we used to race on the roads that were built to take missiles to silos around Kansas, unfortunately most of those were not maintained for the last 40 years
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MIKE MATY on March 01, 2011, 03:55:35 PM
Here's a noice artcle I found.

http://robesonian.com/view/full_story/11664213/article-Racing-group-bumped-from-Maxton-airport?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: 4-barrel Mike on March 01, 2011, 04:02:25 PM
Very noice  :cheers:

Mike
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Peter Jack on March 01, 2011, 07:15:06 PM
Good article showing the best side of the ECTA. Hope it helps in gaining a new facility.

Pete
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: relaxedphit on March 01, 2011, 11:05:22 PM
Thanks for the link Mike.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: SaltRat on March 28, 2011, 12:11:53 PM
Searchers, (Hope this helps, I don't pay attention real well sometimes . . . )

Follows is a quote from Car & Driver magazine, Feb 2008 written by Larry Websterin the 0-200-0 write up:

"So we rented an 11,800ft airstrip in Ocsoda, MI, that had once been part of the Wrutsmith USAF base."

There are your clues, go for it!  or is it "Geturdone?"

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=wurtsmith+air+force+base+oscoda+mi&aq=2&aqi=g5&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=c7c40ca34444791f 
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Geo on March 28, 2011, 12:39:28 PM
I noticed in yesterday's CART St. Petersburg, FL race they were using the runways of an active airport.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on March 28, 2011, 12:40:32 PM
Sorry, but Wurtsmith AFB has been mentioned - and explored - and discovered to be "not available" at least a couple of times, including once during the present search for a place (since the ECTA heard the news about Gryphon).  Thanks for trying, though.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 08, 2011, 04:31:43 PM

Anybody thought about building a facility?   Oh i forgot, Land speed racers generally don't have that kind of cash.   Well maybe maybe if your name is Poteet you may have the ability to raise the kind of money necessary.   

It is clear that a facility appropriate for our use would also be useful for other purposes, such as driver training, safety training,  Security training, general automotive testing, Drag racing, and probably a few other thing I haven't thought about.   Perhaps states would be interested in training highway construction workers in proper safety procedures in a controlled environment.

Existing tracks rent out time, here is an example http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/June-Track-Time-Events/ (http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/June-Track-Time-Events/)  Some of the prices are $450 per weekend.   Would such an enterprise be Viable?   Since it would probably be a corporation, it would be possible to actually loose control of the facility after it was developed.   LSR would not bring in the majority of the income. 

I did hear about something years ago, i think it was in Texas.  Owners of Sports cars would purchase shares to build a track, they would then be entilted to use the track for a reduced price and jump ahead of the non members for track use.  I have heard of country clubs having similar arrangements.   

Perhaps a better idea would be to take an existing facility and improve it, for example, add a  2 mile strip next to an existing drag strip.   Pit facilities would already be in pace, and you could probably run Real Street classes every week.   It might actually improve the number of people interested in the sport.

This is really just brainstorming,  It would be great to have control of a facility and not be at the whims of some government official or property owner.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: racer x on April 08, 2011, 04:41:15 PM
How about an LSR community? 100 houses and a community center with a dyno or a wind tunnel. Sell the houses for a good price and set the whole thing up along a 3 mile roadway. Just a dream :cheers:
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 08, 2011, 05:11:02 PM
How about an LSR community? 100 houses and a community center with a dyno or a wind tunnel. Sell the houses for a good price and set the whole thing up along a 3 mile roadway. Just a dream :cheers:


They do have aircraft communities like that.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: bak189 on April 08, 2011, 06:42:57 PM
Many moon's ago, we used to test run some of our LSR equipment on a long straight road out of
Tecate Mex.......it was perfectly straight, and level for about 6 miles.....it ran for about 8 miles and was
basically a dead end.....except for a orphanage at the end......great place to test.  However, with the problems they are having on the border I have not been back for a long while......hopefully, it will all
get better in the future.......We also used to roadrace our sidecars in  La Carrera, in fact Larry Coleman
and Mike Taylor (passenger) ran an average speed of 98mph for a 125 mile long road race beating all the cars and bikes except for a couple of Porsches. Mexico has always been very friendly toward racers......just hope they can get their drug wars somewhat under control.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MiltonP on April 08, 2011, 08:33:00 PM
I sure hope there wasn't a connection between the orphanage and incidents on that road!  Sounds like bad mojo to me.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 09, 2011, 09:42:23 AM


Maybe the Consumer reports facility could be used.    It is in Connecticut, at least it is still east coast.   Don't know if they have a 2 mile straight or not.   Here is a link   http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/how-we-test/introduction/how-we-test-introduction.htm (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/how-we-test/introduction/how-we-test-introduction.htm)
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: CTRon on April 09, 2011, 10:05:49 AM
That consumer reports place wouldnt work. It used to be connecticut dragway. The 1/4 mile is still there but they built a road course attached to it. Nothing long enough an the people in the neighborhood would all cry like bitches anyway....
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Dan Stokes on April 10, 2011, 03:30:13 PM
Don't worry.  When I hit the Lottery I'll build us a track in (near) Wilmington, NC.  Beautiful area and the weather is similar to Maxton, so we're used to it.

Hey, we DO buy tickets..........

Dan
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 10, 2011, 03:36:48 PM


Maybe SEMA or the PRI Guys  need a track for testing purposes.   Maybe they should get together and do a joint venture.   Probably should build it someplace warm and centrally located ( east of the Mississippi)   Tennessee sounds good to me.   
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: relaxedphit on April 11, 2011, 12:21:30 PM
Dan, what do mean "we do buy tickets"? I thought it was cheaper to buy judges.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: A2WindTunnel on April 11, 2011, 02:26:26 PM

http://www.spaceportamerica.com (http://www.spaceportamerica.com)

Close to my home town of Las Cruces New Mexico they are building a space port. The runway is now compleat and is a concrete 200ft x 10,000ft.  As of now they are still in the construction stage of the project and don't know how the runway is being used or when, but might be worth Keith Turk looking into.

Dave

Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 11, 2011, 03:04:03 PM


New Mexico is not exactly east coast.    It may be a little a little closer for some than Bonneville or Loring.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: manta22 on April 11, 2011, 04:58:45 PM
NM would be great for us Arizonans  :lol:

Regards, Neil   Tucson, AZ
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: SaltRat on April 11, 2011, 06:35:02 PM
Mr. Turk said he wanted more than 10,000 ft.

32 40.342  107 00.643 is the freeway exit - runway should be a little ways east.

I guess I don't understand why Wurtshwouroierwiowe has beeen used, but can not be used again? (michigan).  part of my dysfucktional nature, i guess.

anyway, i would vote for NM spaceport - its only 1 days drive away . . . .



http://www.spaceportamerica.com (http://www.spaceportamerica.com)

Close to my home town of Las Cruces New Mexico they are building a space port. The runway is now compleat and is a concrete 200ft x 10,000ft.  As of now they are still in the construction stage of the project and don't know how the runway is being used or when, but might be worth Keith Turk looking into.

Dave


Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Cajun Kid on April 11, 2011, 08:06:01 PM
As I recall Maxton from starting line to u turn at the end on long shutdown is 10,032 feet  +/- a few feet.

So seems like 10,000 feet would be fine,, more would be better.

Charles
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Captthundarr on April 12, 2011, 10:03:54 AM
NM space port - 1 days drive?? 5 days from here  :-(
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 12, 2011, 10:37:14 AM
I don't know, The East Coast timing association having an event in New Mexico seems a little strange.    Maybe make a "No Coast Timing Association".    

There is a different thread talking about a Midwest venue, and Wurtsmith is discussed over there.   The Airport general manager is very opposed, and they have a covenant that does not allow people on the grassy areas around the runways because of possible unexploded ordinance.  This would eliminate spectators.      


A great place would be Scott AFB.   Currently half of the of the base has been turned over to civilian use, and the other half is in use by the Aifr Force.    Because the 2 runways are parallel it may be possible to close the civilian side and have planes use the AF runway if need be.    My feeling is that Mid America airport will not prove to be a viable commercial concern and will close in the next few years.  This would make the facility available for other uses    Here is a link to the MidAmerica airport.

http://www.flymidamerica.com/ (http://www.flymidamerica.com/)

http://www.globalair.com/d-TPP_pdf/00046ad.pdf (http://www.globalair.com/d-TPP_pdf/00046ad.pdf)
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Bootleggerjim on April 12, 2011, 11:06:49 AM
NM space port - 1 days drive?? 5 days from here  :-(
A little reassurance would be nice....Maxton is only a 4 hour tow for me......That's about all I can afford....much more and someone will be getting a sweet deal on the 50.......
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Captthundarr on April 12, 2011, 11:11:31 AM
unexploded ordinance would definitely eliminate spectators :-o :-o :-o
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Captthundarr on April 12, 2011, 11:15:12 AM
NM space port - 1 days drive?? 5 days from here  :-(
A little reassurance would be nice....Maxton is only a 4 hour tow for me......That's about all I can afford....much more and someone will be getting a sweet deal on the 50.......

Bootleggerjim, I'm in the same boat. Folks are just thowing ideas around tying to help. Think EAST COAST every one :-)
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: fastman614 on April 12, 2011, 12:40:18 PM
I have a question about this- an idea was floated earlier about building a facility.

Does anyone know of the whereabouts of a disused facility that could be purchased and refurbished  for this use- as well as a lot of other Monday to Friday uses for which revenue would be paid to the facility owners/shareholders....

Form a closed end investment fund (an open ended one would work too if the fund was mandated to build other facilities as more money became available) that finances the facility.... carry no debt and pay a dividend to the shareholders.... Incorporate and structure the fund so that it CANNOT have control gained by outside interests (read this as land speculating racketeers) at some future date unless a predetermined massively huge percentage of shareholders vote in favor of it and the offer is so huge that new facilities can be bought with the proceeeds...

It would be, in nature, venture capital at the outset, but the idea has merit..... personally, I would be interested in a long term investment such as this could prove to be.

Is there anyone who races with the business sense and knowledge to make it happen?.... a take off of the old adage is that if you build the facility, the racers will come...
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: relaxedphit on April 12, 2011, 12:56:11 PM
I've seen some mention of a place near Kinston, NC. Is this the Global Transpark ? This facility is funneling taxpayer money down the crapper and by projection will be entirely bankrupt by sometime in 2012. The runway was extended to 11,500', but too late after GATT and NAFTA. Some folks down here still run the custom "GTP###" license tags-I don't know why. They ought to be open to weekend carnivals, worm races or anything to help recover something for us dear taxpayers.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Bootleggerjim on April 12, 2011, 01:02:32 PM
I'm sure things will work out....
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Captthundarr on April 12, 2011, 01:02:54 PM
both of the above sound like good propositions.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: SaltRat on April 12, 2011, 01:05:53 PM

sorry, I didn't buy a house 2000 miles from bonneville . . .

NM space port - 1 days drive?? 5 days from here  :-(
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Captthundarr on April 12, 2011, 01:12:16 PM
Somebody gotta live here, might as well be me :cheers:
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MC 1314 on April 12, 2011, 01:48:59 PM
Know how you feel Capt.
Bob
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: roadracer on April 12, 2011, 03:40:35 PM
I've seen some mention of a place near Kinston, NC. Is this the Global Transpark ? This facility is funneling taxpayer money down the crapper and by projection will be entirely bankrupt by sometime in 2012. The runway was extended to 11,500', but too late after GATT and NAFTA. Some folks down here still run the custom "GTP###" license tags-I don't know why. They ought to be open to weekend carnivals, worm races or anything to help recover something for us dear taxpayers.
You are right, the Global Transpark has been a total flop, except for some midnight CIA flights transporting terrorist to Gitmo.  There are some aviation businesses there associated with the new Air Force tanker, but you would think there would be pleanty of open time to use the place. 
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 12, 2011, 04:16:02 PM


The airport is actually the Kingston Regional Jetport.   Here is a link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinston_Regional_Jetport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinston_Regional_Jetport)

The runway is 11,500' 
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: car9458 on April 12, 2011, 09:46:58 PM
Last year SCCA held events at Wurtsmuth in Oscoda Mi. As bad as Michigan economy is might be possible to purchade the WHOLE town............
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: tekebird on April 13, 2011, 01:48:48 AM
Here is another one to drool over.......asphalt poem

North auxillary airfield.  North, SC
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: A2WindTunnel on April 13, 2011, 08:24:22 AM
Guys... Really? I just threw the space port in NM idea out there as an option for everyone, (brand new surface flat and smooth concrete, good weather) and when I moved to Charlotte NC it was a 2 day drive. Why is it that people are always so negative on here?  I'm sure it would be the same distance (east coast) for some people to drive all the way to Loring. A venue close to the middle of the US would bring a big # of cars because it is about the same distance for east & west coast racers.  My bad for putting it on this thread, thought I would try and help. I guess the only people reading landracing forms are from the east...
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 13, 2011, 08:39:30 AM
Dave, don't let it get you.  Sometimes comments on here are offered with kid gloves -- sometimes with mail gloves.

I will ask, though -- NM is in the middle of the country?  Even "close" to the middle?  Whatever -- no, don't stop throwing out ideas.  We want 'em all.  Look at, for instance, the number of times that Wurtsmith AFB in eastern Michigan has been suggested/offered/mentioned.  We just keep saying that we've given it thought and for this and that reason -- it won't work.

Let the ideas flow.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: jreken on April 13, 2011, 09:09:50 AM
Remember your last American history class???? The historic divide between East and West was and still is the 100th Meridian. New Rule?

John
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 13, 2011, 10:17:15 AM
Here is another one to drool over.......asphalt poem

North auxillary airfield.  North, SC


Actually probably not a bad idea,  it is owned by the military, so even if we did get to use it we could be thrown out at any time.     It does not look like it is used as an active airport, just for training.   
Here is a link:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield)
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 13, 2011, 10:30:20 AM
John, I don't remember that the 100th meridian was considered the divider, but if you want to declare it as such -- so be it!  New Mexico is a full state west of there, though, and let's not bother getting into a dogfight about whether or not the middle of the country. . .  If there's a track there that we can use -- that's dandy.  for that matter, the VLA antenna farm in central/west NM has lots of flat and straight roads, few of which are used.  I doubt we could run there (electrical interference from ignition systems might play havoc with the radio receivers) - but what the heck - let's consider it.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: SaltRat on April 13, 2011, 11:10:48 AM
I Don't remember paved roads at the VLA, but its been some years.

The spaceport seemed a reasonable hope (hold the runs, another saucer is coming in!) although a touch short.  Sorry I didn't get them to build it in YOUR backyard!

Wurtsmith, is it?  If they are running other cars, why not LSR? (yes, i am teh crybaby)

I once dreamt of a 2 week vacation - texas mile and maxton . . .  now I wish I could afford the 10 mile round trip to Home Depot without stopping at City Market.

cheers,
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: relaxedphit on April 13, 2011, 11:35:16 AM
The Monster Mile is actually the Maxton-Laurinburg Airport.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: A2WindTunnel on April 13, 2011, 12:28:02 PM
I didn't say NM is exactly in the middle.  I was figuratively saying that it's in a region of the US where people could travel from east and west.  And John, would that be a history class or geography class? The geographic center of the contiguous (lower) 48 states is about four miles west of Lebanon, Kansas, at 98°35' West 39°50' North. (So yes i was way off, are we really going to spend time to bitch about it?)

The fact is this..This is for the landspeed racing comunity there are only so many possible locations to host and event in the US. Yes, there are a few potential locations in the east, BUT I have not heard of one yet that is a definite yes. So, until then its just ideas fella (why beat someone up?) Aren't we all on here for the same thing? (speed). And trust me slim, I find it more entertaining that offensive..
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: tekebird on April 13, 2011, 07:41:42 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield.

 facility has been used for police training and boy scout stuff, so it is not out of the realm to allow outside use.

stricktly a training facility,  I think there are two structures.......and an on site Fire Dept.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: MiltonP on April 14, 2011, 08:05:32 PM
I think California, Texas and the Salt Flats have NM pretty well surrounded with venues.  I just hope we can find something near the central Carolinas so that we get to see all the same folks who can make it to Maxton.  Sure, a nice smooth surface up in Ohio or PA would be nicely located for me to run on but I sure don't want it to happen at the expense of not seeing the folks from down south every meet.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Worlds Fastest Comanche on April 14, 2011, 09:05:06 PM
Everybody would love a venue in their backyard, but it gets expensive for racers like myself to travel 1,000 miles to Maxton.     I would mind seeing several different Venues and a rotating schedule to attract more people to the sport.  Some months it would be a short trip, some months a little longer.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Queeziryder on April 15, 2011, 11:56:17 AM
Has anyone thought about talking to Star Racing,their new facility in Americus GA is just about to break earth.
I know they are only currently putting in a 1/4 mile plus road course, but if you get in early there maybe a buy in option?

Neil
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: iamflagman on April 15, 2011, 08:52:37 PM
Here is another one to drool over.......asphalt poem

North auxillary airfield.  North, SC


Actually probably not a bad idea,  it is owned by the military, so even if we did get to use it we could be thrown out at any time.     It does not look like it is used as an active airport, just for training.   
Here is a link:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield)


Here is a previous post of mine about North Air Force Auxiliary Airfield. Since I posted this on the Landracing Forum Home > East Coast Timing Association Discussion > ECTA General Chat (Moderator: Seldom Seen Slim) > Important ECTA notice thread I learned that there have been attempts at using North for SCCA events with negative results.

When I was the Solo Director for the South Carolina Region SCCA back in the early 80's we conducted SOLO II events at North Air Force Auxiliary Airfield, SC but when the DELTA Forces started to conduct maneuvers there and then they constructed a dirt landing strip for the C-17 we could no longer conduct events there. It is owned by the U.S. Air Force and is used primarily for C-17 Globemaster III training by the 437th Airlift Wing and its Air Force Reserve "Associate" unit, the 315th Airlift Wing, at Charleston Air Force Base. Additional "bare base" operations are also conducted by the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base and the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Air National Guard Station. Other units can utilize North with prior coordination with the 437 AW. The 437th Civil Engineering Squadron (437 CES) of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB maintains a detachment to maintain and operate the airfield. The only permanently assigned personnel are 10 USAF firefighters and one civilian grounds keeper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Auxiliary_Airfield)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Northafaux-21jan1994.jpg)

Here is a link to a more current view on Google Maps;

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Auxilary+field,+sc&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.160552,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=North+Auxilary+field,&hnear=South+Carolina&ll=33.608508,-81.079016&spn=0.017013,0.038581&t=k&z=15 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Auxilary+field,+sc&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.160552,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=North+Auxilary+field,&hnear=South+Carolina&ll=33.608508,-81.079016&spn=0.017013,0.038581&t=k&z=15)



I no longer have any contacts for North Air Force Auxiliary Airfield. They have a festival in North, SC every year that we used to coincide the SCCA events with http://www.woodford-sc.com/f_schedule.html (http://www.woodford-sc.com/f_schedule.html)
 


Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Asub1 on April 16, 2011, 09:59:07 PM
Everybody would love a venue in their backyard, but it gets expensive for racers like myself to travel 1,000 miles to Maxton.     I would mind seeing several different Venues and a rotating schedule to attract more people to the sport.  Some months it would be a short trip, some months a little longer.

I'm in need of a 'LIKE' button.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: KeithTurk on April 30, 2011, 06:59:57 AM
Just to say Hey and check back in.... YES WE ARE STILL LOOKING....  Joe and I are actively pursuing options...

I am totally open to a community with 2 0r 3 miles of great open road with no drainage ditches... ( they just don't exist in most places )

We're even looking at a couple of unusual options.  ( doubt they will pan out but we're looking )...



Y'all keep bringing up options and we'll keep evaluating them for suitability....   ( I check this thread once a week or so )...

K
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Sweet Pea on May 08, 2011, 10:40:55 AM
Thanks Keith and Joe for working so diligently to find ECTA a new home. I'm sure my fellow racers share in my appreciation. Even though we have only been involved in racing for the last 3 years, we enjoy the experience at ECTA events. We look forward to continuing the opportunity to be part of the ECTA family well into the future.
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Chaulkdust on June 06, 2011, 09:50:25 PM
CAPE CANAVERAL FL – 15,000 ft runway – has been for lease in the past. Here are some links from 2005 & 2006 regarding rent the strip. Wouldn’t need the fuel, facilities etc – just the runway. They list a contact person in one of the articles. Now that the shuttle is done for a while – they may be even more eager to do something since for us racers.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11842611/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/rent-one-space-shuttle-runway/

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187999,00.html
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Cajun Kid on June 06, 2011, 10:17:06 PM
Cape Canaveral would be great for a Feb, March, April. Oct, Nov  heck anytime but Summer,,


wow  15,000 foot  we could run a mile and or a 1.5 mile course.

I hope this is on ECTA's  list to look into ???

Charles
Title: Re: The Facility Search....
Post by: Chaulkdust on June 06, 2011, 10:30:35 PM
Found another rental article for 2011 -

http://www.space.com/10690-nasa-renting-kennedy-space-center.html

Also looked at the facility via Google Earth and if they won't rent the runway - they have some nice flat, paved 2 lane straight access roads on the site that run parallel to the runway. Looks like they are 23 -25 ft wide - and over 10,000 ft long. However, perhaps too narrow for our use??