Author Topic: Can Am, endurance and other.  (Read 10486 times)

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Offline tauruck

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #15 on: June 05, 2014, 09:50:42 PM »
Thanks Chris, good article.

One of those black days that change things forever.

Offline tauruck

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #16 on: June 24, 2014, 02:17:04 AM »
Here's one for those of you that have an interest in circuit racing.
I live 3 miles away from Kyalami and raced on the original track.
Some very bad people turned the iconic track into the world's most expensive go kart track in the late 80s early 90s to make money.
It would be like turning Indianapolis into a half mile oval for you guys.
The track was never the same and although it's been around since the 60s residents in the area have complained about the noise.
You all know the behavior. :-D

The track is up for auction and the inside scoop is that it will be no more.
The land is worth billions in any currency. More housing and no racing. This is Africa. Take no prisoners. Eat your young. There is no tomorrow.

http://citizen.co.za/191149/kyalami-race-circuit-go-hammer/

It doesn't worry me one bit. I've got salt 800 miles away. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #17 on: June 24, 2014, 10:07:56 AM »
Here's one for those of you that have an interest in circuit racing.
I live 3 miles away from Kyalami and raced on the original track.
Some very bad people turned the iconic track into the world's most expensive go kart track in the late 80s early 90s to make money.
It would be like turning Indianapolis into a half mile oval for you guys.
The track was never the same and although it's been around since the 60s residents in the area have complained about the noise.
You all know the behavior. :-D

The track is up for auction and the inside scoop is that it will be no more.
The land is worth billions in any currency. More housing and no racing. This is Africa. Take no prisoners. Eat your young. There is no tomorrow.


Countless tracks in the States have run into the same issue.  Riverside comes to mind, Mid-America - Urban sprawl. 

Same thing with farm land.  Around here, we refer to subdivisions as "the last crop".
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline tauruck

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2014, 09:01:01 AM »
Kyalami jut sold at auction to Porsche for $20m.

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2014, 09:37:34 AM »
Provided they don't run into trouble with the neighbors, and they're willing to put the facility back to rights, this could be a huge save for auto racing history -

http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Kyalami-sold-for-R205-million-20140724

This quote, I found intriguing -

"We'll be integrating some of Porsche SA's business units with the racetrack, but other manufacturers are most welcome too."

They didn't specify automotive manufacturers, which broadens the potential financial base as an industrial property.

It looks like they're planning to use the land like a business park, and integrate it with the track.  If that is indeed the long term plan - leasing land to manufacturers - I call that brilliant.  It could keep the track financially healthy, and still provide a decent financial return to the new owners.

That would give you neighbors who are tenants, rather than independent land owners, a centralized job-producing financial base with political clout, and a long-range chance to put the track into operation that would negate the complaining locals.

If only that could have happened at Riverside.

Never thought I'd be saying this . . .

TO PORSCHE!  :cheers:

"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline manta22

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2014, 10:54:58 AM »
I'll never forget Can-Am racing at Riverside or the Eagles concert there on Saturday night after practice. "Welcome to the Hotel California..."

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
« Last Edit: July 24, 2014, 11:54:21 AM by manta22 »
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #21 on: July 24, 2014, 11:18:59 AM »
One of my favorite films - "On the Beach".

The race sequences were shot at both Phillip Island and at Riverside - probably shot in late 1958, early 1959.

You can tell which is which by the horizons -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2KkbHxo6po
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline Stan Back

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Re: Can Am, endurance and other.
« Reply #22 on: July 24, 2014, 11:46:47 AM »
How come there were no bodies in San Francisco?
Past (Only) Member of the San Berdoo Roadsters -- "California's Most-Exclusive Roadster Club" -- 19 Years of Bonneville and/or El Mirage Street Roadster Records