Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Gordon Partner In New Track
Jeff Gordon is helping design a 1-mile oval in Canada...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted December 15, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Jeff Gordon, who finished third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2009 season, will now become a partner in a Canadian race track. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Jeff Gordon's worn a lot of hats — or helmets — in his racing career, going from piloting sprint cars and Midgets as a teenager to becoming a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and equity partner in Hendrick Motorsports. Soon, Gordon will be able to add the title of international track designer/co-owner to his already ample resume.

Gordon is lending his expertise to helping design Canadian Motor Speedway, an ambitious $150 million track situated on 820 acres of land in Fort Erie, within 5 miles of the Canadian/U.S. border and 11.2 miles from Niagara Falls, N.Y. The track, which does not yet have any agreements with any sanctioning bodies, is expected to open in 2011.

“I think the whole project has some huge potential,” said Gordon. “I think one is that we have an incredible fan base in Canada, when you look at the Montreal (NASCAR Nationwide Series) race and the reception we get there. But I think our real impact is on an oval track. And I think the size of the track that we’re planning and the layout and what if offers — not only from a racing standpoint, but the community itself — it’s a big project. And I think it’s something that’s going to be huge for that area as well as NASCAR fans.”

Included in the project are a 1-mile oval track, a 2.6-mile road course, 60,000 stadium seats, 5,000 club seats and 80 suites. The project, which when completed will top the $400 million mark, also will include recreational, commercial, industrial and educational uses on-site. All told, the project is expected to create 1,200 permanent jobs and have an annual local economic impact of $200 million, according to a study produced by the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

The project has drawn strong support from the Canadian government and local officials. “The Canadian Motor Speedway investment in Niagara is a wonderful and welcomed addition to our region, said Welland, Ontario, Mayor Damian Goulbourne. “It will benefit our community on several levels. First, it brings an international recognized tourism attraction to Niagara which will help sustain the entire region’s travel industry. Second, it will create numerous diverse job opportunities for our citizens whom are looking for a sign of hope in the middle of this global economic crisis. Third and final, the educational partnerships at the speedway will reinforce Niagara’s presence in the automotive manufacturing sector and boldly move us into the future."

One of Gordon’s key responsibilities in the project is helping design the mile oval. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in track design,” said Gordon. “I’ve done some small projects when tracks were being redesigned or resurfaced, and I feel like that experience had definitely piqued my interest to be involved from day one. If I’m going to be involved and have my name be a part of it, then I’m going to work at making sure it’s something I can be proud of, and so far I am.”

John Bickford, Gordon’s stepfather and one of the key players in this project, said the project’s roots date back to 2004. “Jeff has always been a real proponent of recognizing the Canadian race fan,” said Bickford. “We’ve raced before there long before we raced in NASCAR and it’s just one of those countries that’s set themselves apart from other countries. They just recognized Jeff for some reason and he’s been very complimentary towards them.”

While Gordon raced, Bickford shopped the project to investors. After coming close but not sealing the deal on several occasions, Bickford was able to attract a Dubai-based investment firm.


Page 1 of 2
Prev
12
Next
tom_jensen's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Jensen

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.