Anybody hear about this new track??

[MATCHBX]

I just got this in email today.

It's past the rumor stage:

NEWS RELEASE

January 19, 2005

New race track planned for Pine County
Investment group introduces new club membership
concept to the Upper
Midwest

FOREST LAKE, Minn. – A motorsports facility with
multiple race tracks
is in the development stages in Pine County.

The project, named Pine Run Motorsports Park, will
offer a variety of
racing, featuring a
3.9-mile road course, a quarter-mile championship
dragstrip, a go-cart
track, a clubhouse with lounge, locker room and
observation deck, and
a Vehicle Dynamics Area. Pine Run will also offer a
number of
spectator events involving sanctioned professional
motorsports racing
as well as other events such as snowmobile grass
drags and snowcross
races.

For day-to-day use, Pine Run will feature club racing
where sports car
owners can buy an annual membership and then race
their car on
designated days. It's a concept that's growing
rapidly in other parts
of the country because owners of high-performance
sports cars want a
safe facility in which to drive their cars fast.

The proposed track configuration is four tracks in
one, with a
tri-oval track (three turns and three straightaways)
wrapped around
two short road courses that can be connected to make
one long road
course. A road course involves both right and left
turns, unlike an
oval track that features all left turns.

A Vehicle Dynamics Area is used for driving
instruction, and to test
vehicles in varying road conditions. It's basically a
large, open
paved area used to train drivers in skid recovery,
slalom, evasive and
defensive driving, braking, etc.

Pine Run is being developed by Forest Lake-based JD
Investments on a
500-acre parcel about 10 miles west of Pine City,
Minn., near the town
of Henriette. JD Investments is currently working
with Pokegama
Township and Pine County to acquire approval for the
project.

"We've very excited to start working with local
governments and
neighbors to move our project forward," said Jed
Copham, JD
Investments CEO. "As a recreation destination, we
believe Pine Run
will be a fantastic asset for Pine County as it
brings business to
this area, creates jobs and generates significant
taxes for the county."

Those who use Pine Run are expected to come from the
Twin Cities,
Duluth and central Minnesota, Copham said. But the
facility could host
drivers and car clubs from throughout the country.
And its spectator
events could bring competitive and professional
racers from around the
globe.

## #
Editors: For more information, call Communications
Director Geoff
Gorvin at 218-821-9513.


http://www.mnsportbikeriders.com/~cr...er/pinerun.pdf


http://www.pinerunracing.com

[MATCHBX]

I'm sorry. This should have gone in Pavement fun. If any mods want to move, go ahead. Again, oops, sorry.

[Matt D.]

This is already being discussed on MNSC as well. As I said there, the proof is in the pudding.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by awd1dr

Pine Run is being developed by Forest Lake-based JD
Investments on a
500-acre parcel about 10 miles west of Pine City,
Minn., near the town
of Henriette. JD Investments is currently working
with Pokegama
Township and Pine County to acquire approval for the
project.

This just tells me it's not yet approved and till we see otherwise it may never be. I gotta say that if this makes it's way in MN Dragways just took a big blow I think.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

The drag strip isn't even planned in the initial phase of this place either though. Who knows how long it woudl be until they build a 1/4 mile strip.

[Goat Blower]

That would be the cat's ass, since it'd be like 45 minutes from my house. But the fact that they don't even have county approval yet makes it a longshot right now. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Kougar]

If they do build it, it'd be great. I would be way more stoked to ride the bike on that course then drive a car, but that's me.

[MATCHBX]

I guess when you look on the map of the place, they have the dragstrip put in on the right side. Do you mean they WANT to have a dragstrip but won't build it right away? I would think they would want to develop the dragstrip at the same time that they do the rest of the facility. It's mentioned in the press releaase and it is shown on the map. I would think they would do it all at the same time.

I would think the dragstrip would go in first since it would be much easier to build than the rest of the track. I would also think the dragstrip would be a larger draw than the track itself. I guess that's just me though.

[slowHonduh]

wow that is so close. That would be like a dream come true, but i bet it won't happen before 2007 even if it was approved, actually i don't even know how long it would take to build all of that. But i guess we can all keep dreaming(on the way to slippery rock that is).

[Shane@DBPerformance]

It says Phase 2 next to the dragstrip on the maps I have seen.

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by awd1dr

I would think they would want to develop the dragstrip at the same time that they do the rest of the facility. It's mentioned in the press releaase and it is shown on the map. I would think they would do it all at the same time.

I would think the dragstrip would go in first since it would be much easier to build than the rest of the track. I would also think the dragstrip would be a larger draw than the track itself. I guess that's just me though.

What about Phase 2 don't you understand? It says it right on the map of the facility...

[santa]

Thats awsome! I hope it all goes well! Thats like a 40 minute drive instead of a 2 hour drive to rockfalls.

[Alpine TSi]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

What about Phase 2 don't you understand? It says it right on the map of the facility...

Where? Or are you looking at a different map?

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by Alpine TSi

Where? Or are you looking at a different map?

This one:

[Kracka]

Hopefully something works out, I'd love a nearby road-course.

[Alpine TSi]

Ahh, so it was a different map. Now it makes sense. Nonetheless I still wouldn't mind having that around.

[desolate]

A closer track? I not going to complain about that.

[JET]

That would definately be cool. The CRA would love it too (motorcycle road racing). Right now they have to go to Topeka for a 2nd track besides BIR (which is closed this year). I would definately be game for that. I wonder if they would have a 1/4 mile strip integral to the track until they get a seperate one? Like BIR has. Either way I would definately go there.

[JET]

Alright, there has been an update on Pine Run's website. Their EPA study is done and it has been submitted to the Pine County board. If it gets approved then everything should be a go! It doesn't sound like the board can totally stop it, just make them do more stuff to make it easier on the enviroment.

They are still on schedule to break ground this fall and have the track open next fall! It sounds like the drag strip and everything will open up at the same time now.

[MATCHBX]

Well, as most already know, the track is officially called off. They still want to build a track but they are going to look for another site. Also, they are going to focus more towards go kart racing and road racing.

Here is a press release about it.

J.D. Investments to abandon Henriette Minnesota site for Pine Run Motorsports Park
>
>
>After a years worth of detailed work and an extensive environmental
>assessment of the Henriette MN. site, J.D. Investments, Pine Run
>Motorsports Park have chosen to pursue a new location for a motorsports
>facility. An introduction of the project in January 2005 to the Pine County
>community and year long environmental assessment of the property produced a need for continued environmental assessment. J.D. Investments CEO and
>project developer Jed Copham and staff recently made this decision rather
>than pursue an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as directed by a Pine
>County Board of Commissioners decision in October.
>
>Jed Copham goes on to explain, at the Henriette location, wetlands and
>future soil corrections were the primary factors for moving from the Harley
>Sod Farm location. Part of our year long exercise in Pine County included a
>required wetland deliniation study to establish or designate onsite
>wetlands. Continued meetings and discussions with a number of regulatory
>agencies could not produce a wetland deliniation. Having that would have
>been a much needed starting point to establish onsite wetlands and further
>produce an extensive and final layout of the facility. Soil corrections
>were another strong point in moving from the sod farm site. Through our own
>research, we knew that sod farms in the metro area were being converted to
>usable land uses. We felt that the Harley Sod Farm could be established for
>our own use in much the same way. Soil borings at the site also produced
>various levels of peat and mixed soils and admitedly, it was extensive in
>some areas but, we chose to work with these conditions if other factors
>could be met.

Copham goes on to say that the Henriette location included a 1/4 mile drag strip, 3.6 mile road course and a 3/8 mile go kart track on 530 acres. Considering the amount of activity that would have been generated at the Henriette site, our new location will be downscaled to include less day to day activity, less annual activity and focus primarily on our original business plan for a pristine road course facility and go kart track.
>
>Pine Run Vice President and General Manager Scott Quick adds that Pine
>Run's year long exercise in Pine County produced overwhelming support from
>residents and the business community in both Pine and Kanabec Counties. We are greatful to everyone that supported our efforts, all throughout Minnesota and ask for their
>continued support as we evaluate other sites. We're especially grateful to
>all of our friends and supporters in Pine County that welcomed our
>development and saw it as a good business opportunity for the area. Racing
>enthusiasts throughout Minnesota that have followed our project from the
>beginning should also know that J.D. Investments is commited to
>constructing a motorsports facility and our decision to move from this site
>has not detered our passion to find a new home.


It sucks, but hopefully they will find another site close to the metro. Some have suggested south of the cities, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.