Exact Nürburgring copy under consideration for Las Vegas?

Apex Motorsports · 03-12-2012, 05:56 PM

Exact Nürburgring copy under consideration for Las Vegas?

Burton Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, may have his eye on an ambitious new project. According to reports swirling around the web, Smith (whose company owns and operates tracks like Infineon Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, among others) aims to create an accurate reproduction of the famous Nürburgring just outside of Las Vegas. While speaking during an interview on Sirius XM Sports, the executive mentioned he had already been in talks with the Governor of Nevada, the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and "some Germans" about the project. It's estimated Smith will require some 8,000 acres to bring the track to reality. It's a good thing Las Vegas is surrounded by an expanse of largely vacant desert.

The rumored plans call for the track to be constructed around 10 miles from the strip. Unfortunately, the facility probably wouldn't play host to sanctioned races like the real McCoy. Instead, the reproduction would simply be for private individuals to have some fun and manufacturers to test their wares. Throwing an element of brutal desert heat onto an already challenging road course could certainly make for a useful development tool. Keep your ears pinned for more information.

The Stig · 03-12-2012, 06:03 PM

Now I have two reasons to go to Vegas

PeeBee · 03-12-2012, 07:02 PM

Hmm... good luck on making THAT happen...

The height differences, different tarmac and stuff like that are not impossible to achieve, but will take lots of time and effort...

But one main thing that makes the Ring so exciting is the fact that on one side you can have the sun shining, while it can be raining halfway round the track. Just one of the factors the desert won't be able to reproduce, I'm afraid.

IROCanSS · 03-12-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeeBee

Hmm... good luck on making THAT happen...

The height differences, different tarmac and stuff like that are not impossible to achieve, but will take lots of time and effort...

But one main thing that makes the Ring so exciting is the fact that on one side you can have the sun shining, while it can be raining halfway round the track. Just one of the factors the desert won't be able to reproduce, I'm afraid.

Yup on the weather... as far as building, anything is doable...

tomsws6 · 03-12-2012, 07:30 PM

True but its as close as most of us would be able to take our vehicles on that track with the same turns straights ect. While they may not be able to recreate the the weather the desert will be a whole different ball game. I think its a great idea!

velociSSimo · 03-12-2012, 07:47 PM

Yes Please!

Nessal · 03-12-2012, 10:54 PM

Geez, I wonder how long it would take to turn a profit if ever? I really hope so! Now I'll DRIVE to vegas instead of fly!

fielderLS3 · 03-12-2012, 11:10 PM

That would be awesome, but it may be tough to sell any investors on it. 10 miles of race track sounds expensive, and the desert heat probably won't do any favors for the surface. Hard to see a business case without major sanctioned events.

Brokinarrow · 03-12-2012, 11:46 PM

Guess it's too hard to design a world-class track of our own?

JamesNoBrakes · 03-13-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Guess it's too hard to design a world-class track of our own?

Laguna Seca?

Brokinarrow · 03-13-2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Laguna Seca?

I'm not saying we don't have world class tracks, I'm saying they should design their own track instead of copying Nürburgring.

*DGthe3* · 03-13-2012, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

I'm not saying we don't have world class tracks, I'm saying they should design their own track instead of copying Nürburgring.

Its Las Vegas. Copying things from the rest of the world is kinda their thing now.

There's the Paris Hotel

The Venetian

And New York, New York

SUX2BU · 03-13-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeeBee

But one main thing that makes the Ring so exciting is the fact that on one side you can have the sun shining, while it can be raining halfway round the track. Just one of the factors the desert won't be able to reproduce, I'm afraid.

They should build it in Texas, then.

SS 376 · 03-13-2012, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nessal

Geez, I wonder how long it would take to turn a profit if ever? I really hope so! Now I'll DRIVE to vegas instead of fly!

That's what I was thinking. To make the money back, they'd have to charge an arm and a leg. Most regular guys probably won't be able to afford it.

03-12-2012, 05:56 PM	#1
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,165	Exact Nürburgring copy under consideration for Las Vegas? Exact Nürburgring copy under consideration for Las Vegas? Burton Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, may have his eye on an ambitious new project. According to reports swirling around the web, Smith (whose company owns and operates tracks like Infineon Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, among others) aims to create an accurate reproduction of the famous Nürburgring just outside of Las Vegas. While speaking during an interview on Sirius XM Sports, the executive mentioned he had already been in talks with the Governor of Nevada, the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and "some Germans" about the project. It's estimated Smith will require some 8,000 acres to bring the track to reality. It's a good thing Las Vegas is surrounded by an expanse of largely vacant desert. The rumored plans call for the track to be constructed around 10 miles from the strip. Unfortunately, the facility probably wouldn't play host to sanctioned races like the real McCoy. Instead, the reproduction would simply be for private individuals to have some fun and manufacturers to test their wares. Throwing an element of brutal desert heat onto an already challenging road course could certainly make for a useful development tool. Keep your ears pinned for more information.

03-12-2012, 06:03 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Now I have two reasons to go to Vegas __________________

03-12-2012, 07:47 PM	#6
velociSSimo ... well, not yet. Drives: 2012 Chevy Silverado ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,213	Yes Please! __________________ 1988 Wellcraft St. Tropez / 32' Length / Twin 454ci

03-12-2012, 11:10 PM	#8
fielderLS3 Drives: 2016 Mazda6, 2011 Mustang 5.0 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Portage, Wisconsin Posts: 4,049	That would be awesome, but it may be tough to sell any investors on it. 10 miles of race track sounds expensive, and the desert heat probably won't do any favors for the surface. Hard to see a business case without major sanctioned events. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE (Arrived 4/29/22) "The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive." . 2022 1SS 1LE (Coming Soon)

03-12-2012, 11:46 PM	#9
Brokinarrow Drives: 2012 Honda NC700x Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianola, IA Posts: 5,317 View My Garage	Guess it's too hard to design a world-class track of our own? __________________

03-12-2012, 07:02 PM	#3
PeeBee Drives: "Bee" ZL585, Dark Blue Suburban. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Luxemburg Posts: 1,244	Hmm... good luck on making THAT happen... The height differences, different tarmac and stuff like that are not impossible to achieve, but will take lots of time and effort... But one main thing that makes the Ring so exciting is the fact that on one side you can have the sun shining, while it can be raining halfway round the track. Just one of the factors the desert won't be able to reproduce, I'm afraid.

03-12-2012, 07:30 PM	#5
tomsws6 Drives: 97 ws6 RIP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: dover de Posts: 79	True but its as close as most of us would be able to take our vehicles on that track with the same turns straights ect. While they may not be able to recreate the the weather the desert will be a whole different ball game. I think its a great idea!

03-12-2012, 10:54 PM	#7
Nessal Drives: Exige, Miata, Ghia Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CA, Bay Area Posts: 2,309	Geez, I wonder how long it would take to turn a profit if ever? I really hope so! Now I'll DRIVE to vegas instead of fly!