Raceway to be built near Spencer (Salisbury, Welcome: fit in, hotels, safety)

[silverwing]

(Spencer abuts Salisbury)

Salisbury Post | LOCAL NEWS | New president says High Rock raceway on fast track to completion (broken link)

Link to the raceway site
High Rock Raceway - The Track

We drove past the site a couple months ago and wondered at the mess. The mill was still in the process of being torn down. One caveat to the site: it's accessed by an exit off I-85 right across the Yadkin River bridge. Any increase in volume of traffic doesn't bode well; that bridge has been named as one of the worst in the state ( Salisbury Post | LOCAL NEWS | AAA: Yadkin River bridge among the worst in state (broken link) ) and sees a large number of accidents when volume picks up in the prime traveling months. Still, it will hopefully be an improvement on the economy of Spencer.

[cooperwx]

Reference Map

There are hopes to improve that exit, but that's probably a long way off as the DOT tries to finish the large I-85 project south of the site. I think they are going to build a new bridge for I-85 (to the east of the current one) and use the old one to replace the bad US-29 bridge.

For now I hope they steer racegoers to the long Ferry Rd ext, #82.

Eidt To Add: I've found where the new I-85 bridge is not even funded yet (broken link), and they're discussing making it a toll bridge to be completed by 2013. But they're worried travelers will bypass the toll by going through Spencer.

Back to the original topic, building the track (not near any residential areas) should help the economy of Spencer, and the fact that it's a road course will make it unique in a state that equates auto racing with "drive fast, turn left."

[mm34b]

How's motels in that area of Spencer? Plentiful?

[cooperwx]

Not within a couple of miles of the track. In Salisbury there are several budget options at Exit 75 (East Innes St/US52) and several nicer ones at Exit 75 (Jake Alexander Blvd), which isn't too far. Almost a dozen in total. But up near the track there's nothing but pasture and river bottom land. Spencer and East Spencer are old railroad era towns with just one tourist attraction: The NC Transportation Museum. I'm certain that most who visit are day-trippers.

[cooperwx]

Article on ESPN.com about the new track, expectations and where it will fit in here in the "birthplace of auto racing."

High expectations for High Rock Raceway's world-class road course

[SunnyKayak]

It hard to believe all the years I use to pass that plant I think Leggitt Platt? it nothing but brick rubble now. It a good location and boost for that area that has been such a dead zone for a long time. It situated in area that there cant really be anyone complain about noise.

[superk]

High Rock Raceway will be seeking safety approval from the FIA, FIM, AMA, SCCA and NASA

I get the SCCA and the others. But NASA?

[mm34b]

National Auto Sport Association - Welcome to NASA Mid Atlantic