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F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums _ General Discussion _ UMI Acquires Race Track for Product Testing & Events
Posted by: UMI Performance Nov 10 2017, 05:40 PM
Many of you may have already of seen this, we had got some really good press exposure when we sent out the press release. We were on Summit Racing, Popular Hot Rod, Circle Track Magazine, Performance Racing, Lateral-G and a few local papers. So I apologize if you have already seen this.
But if you haven't heard the great news here it is: UMI has purchased a local 5/8 mile asphalt oval track that we are currently revitalizing and converting the facility for autocross and short course road course events. In order to accomplish this we are repairing the infield into a better flow as a 'roval'. The track pavement is in good shape and it's fast, it's the biggest short track in PA. The facility features grandstand seating, bathrooms, go kart track, pit buildings and will make a great facility for events. Paving should be starting spring of 2018.
Our goal at UMI was a test track, somewhere unrestricted that we could test product, cars and set ups at any given time. Also an area where it is possible to run the same exact track to see what improvements helped and what didn't. When looking at this facility we learned the fit was excellent and only being 20 miles from our current facility it was perfect. But we also realized this track would be more than just testing, it's an opportunity for events, track rentals, road course etc and that is what we plan do. For 2018 we already have the UMI Autocross Challenge scheduled and a Rusty Wallace Driving Experience.
If you would like to learn more I posted links below, please check them out. We are very excited about this 
Official Press Release- https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=ef8dc5c2577f4e445b5c4f95f&id=4d65939d90
Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/umimotorsportspark/
Instagram- @umimotorsportspark
Posted by: GCrites80s Nov 10 2017, 06:13 PM
Wow!
Posted by: KCG Nov 10 2017, 06:26 PM
This should be great. UMI AX Challenge??? Will this be the new location for the 2018 Cruise-in & Autocross??
Posted by: CrashTestDummy Nov 10 2017, 07:04 PM
Nice and congrats!! Just when places around the country are folding and selling we see some light in the sport!!
Posted by: Jeff94TA Nov 10 2017, 08:42 PM
That looks like a great opportunity and a nice venue. Do yourself a favor and try to open up the road course section a bit if that's possible. A while back someone tried a small road course here in the Orlando area area and it wound up being just an autocross course that you could do laps on. The owner asked some of us to come out and test it before it opened and we were all disappointed. I would just run the whole course in 2nd gear and after about 10 minutes the brakes and tires would just be smoking hot. It was brutal on the car but fun in a lot of ways. I think you probably have way more real estate so hopefully not an issue.
Here is some video so you can see what I'm talking about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Av26IraqY
The school course that the SCCA uses at Daytona is good example of a short infield course. Not sure if you have the room though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmTnx_EslMc&t=129s
Just some food for thought and I wish I was closer to you guys to try an event there. Good luck with the new venture.
Posted by: UMI Performance Nov 10 2017, 09:40 PM
Yep, that is the plan. We have some ideas for it and plan on having the 2018 UMI Cruise and Autocross as the tracks soft opening. Stay tuned!
Here is some video so you can see what I'm talking about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Av26IraqY
The school course that the SCCA uses at Daytona is good example of a short infield course. Not sure if you have the room though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmTnx_EslMc&t=129s
Just some food for thought and I wish I was closer to you guys to try an event there. Good luck with the new venture.
Thanks for the information Jeff. I checked the videos out and I see what you mean, I think we will be different. For the road course we have been drawing up some ideas and also working with Sam Strano on layout. Budget for paving is an issue, so it will need done in 2-3 steps. I think our first paving process (which we hope to be early 2018) will open up a nice course that is a 1/2 to 5/8 mile long using a majority of the oval, it would be fast. It would be wide too and I think could easily run 5 cars safely... maybe more. It would be a short course but could be fun. We would also using timing equipment and could set it up like an autocross with a start and stop. We have lots of great ideas and I am pretty excited.
Thanks for looking everyone!
Posted by: trackbird Nov 10 2017, 10:35 PM
This is excellent. I can't wait to see it. I wish I was closer, I'd come up and help with the prep and clean up. Ryan and the UMI crew are great people and a fantastic company and they are always full of surprises. I didn't see this one coming, but I'm looking forward to driving it!
Posted by: ar52kortlang Nov 11 2017, 02:01 AM
That is great news... might be worth a road trip from Tx for a big event ...
Posted by: The Batman Nov 11 2017, 04:52 AM
I bet BMR wishes they were as awesome as UMI. Congrats on the new purchase!
Posted by: UMI Performance Nov 13 2017, 03:25 AM
Thanks guys. 
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