>From Nick England, the official PR
Historic VIRginia International Raceway
To Be Resurrected as a Private Motorsports Country Club
DANVILLE, Va., Sept. 23 - The excitement of sports car racing
will
soon return to the long-dormant VIRginia International Raceway, one of
the
truly great road racing courses in America.
The historic track located in the rolling hills of Danville,
Va.,
is being developed by Blue Chip Racing Resorts, Inc. into a full-fledged
motorsports country club. Members will be able to race their own cars
while
their families swim or sun at the pool, play tennis or volleyball, work
out
in the fully-equipped fitness center, go horseback riding or participate
in
a host of other recreational activities.
Blue Chip Racing Resorts, Inc. is headed by Harvey Siegel, a
long-time developer and vintage racer who, like Roger Penske, Carroll
Shelby, Sterling Moss and Dan Gurney, competed at VIR in its heyday.
The Halifax County Board of Supervisors ratified the project
last
night at its monthly meeting in Halifax, Va.
"Resurrecting this historic track is a dream come true," Siegel
said. "There is no facility like the VIR Club today. Finally there will
be
a haven for auto enthusiasts that allows them to indulge their passion
for
racing and include their families in the fun."
The re-development plan retains the original 3.2-mile road
course
but also creates two shorter courses by dividing the full track to
create
two autonomous race courses that can be operated simultaneously.
Generous
track time will be available to VIR Club members, and except for six
special-event weekends, one track will be available for use by club
members
while the other track will be available to associate members such as
marque
clubs, race teams for testing, driving schools, etc.
The VIR Club decor is being designed to invoke the area's
historic
ambiance and Southern hospitality, accentuated by VIR racing
memorabilia.
Closed-circuit televisions will let members relive their day on the
track.
All facilities will be upscale but casual, offering hospitality services
and facilities commensurate with a world-class operation.
Dues are modest in accordance with the VIR Club's vision of
ensuring that both the grass-roots sports car buffs and more affluent
amateurs and professionals have a special place to share their love of
racing with each other and their families.
Membership will be limited, and preference for certain perks and
privileges will be given to members in the order that they apply for
membership. There are three categories for membership (resident [for
people
living within 150 miles of the club]; non-resident [for people living
outside of that 150-mile radius;] and associate [organizations]). One-,
two- and three-year memberships are available. There are incentives for
longer-term memberships.
The track opening is projected for the fall of 1999, followed by
the opening of the clubhouse and other facilities.
For more information, call 1-888-RACE099, visit the VIR Club's
website at www.virclub.com, or write to: The VIR Club, c/o Blue Chip
Racing
Resorts, Inc., 555 Madison Ave., Suite 3103, New York, N.Y. 10022.
|