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Thread: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

  1. #1
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2491973...will-shut-down

    Too bad I never got the chance to ride it. Boo!! Always sad when a track closes. So, who is going out for MotoAmerica end of June?
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    Senior Member One-ops's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    We could go ride it in sept?? !!

  3. #3
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Oh FFS, one of the best racing facilities in the West and it's closing!? Hard to believe motorsport can have any hopes of success in America when venues like this can't afford to stay open. But hey, at least we have NASCRAP!

    I am still planning to ride out to watch the MotoAmerica races if I have a job and bike by then.

  4. #4
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    For the track day riders, there's a few weekends this season at MMP run by Apex Track Days. Here's hoping some other group takes over the lease, and that it doesn't end up in the hands of developers for more subdivisions.
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    ... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...

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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    My reading comprehension fails tonight, sorry Asp.

    Apparently, the land upon which the track sits is one of five potential sites for the new state prison relocation project.
    Last edited by Drano; Fri May 8th, 2015 at 10:00 PM.

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    Senior Member Moderator Gramps's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Quote Originally Posted by One-ops View Post
    We could go ride it in sept?? !!
    Point me in the direction of the sign up site. I was poking around last night to see if I could find a track day to attend just in case this place closes.
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    Member GNGSXR's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Quote Originally Posted by Gramps View Post
    Point me in the direction of the sign up site. I was poking around last night to see if I could find a track day to attend just in case this place closes.
    I'd be in for a track day
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  8. #8
    Senior Member Moderator Gramps's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    It looks like there are several days on Apex's website but mostly on Friday's and Monday's. Have to evaluate my other track day trips on my end and figure out which one will work. I'll keep an eye out and if you guys put something together I'll try to make it work. If I decide on a date I'll post up so if anyone wants to tag along you're more than welcome.
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    Senior Member One-ops's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    I believe it was apex trackdays and it was a full track for 259

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    Senior Member Moderator Jmetz's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Quote Originally Posted by Drano View Post
    My reading comprehension fails tonight, sorry Asp.

    Apparently, the land upon which the track sits is one of five potential sites for the new state prison relocation project.
    From my understanding it's the 900 acres the Miller family owns next to the track that is being offered for the prison.
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  11. #11
    Senior Member longrider's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Quote Originally Posted by Drano View Post
    My reading comprehension fails tonight, sorry Asp.

    Apparently, the land upon which the track sits is one of five potential sites for the new state prison relocation project.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jmetz View Post
    From my understanding it's the 900 acres the Miller family owns next to the track that is being offered for the prison.
    Jmetz, you are correct. The Miller owned land is adjacent to the track. I read in another article that the reason for the closing is they have not been able to make it profitable in 10 years, still losing around $1 - $2 million a year. The fact all the major races have pulled out certainly doesn't help. I also read that the state and county is working to find another operator for the track but I doubt anybody will jump in to lose millions. Motorsports in Utah just dont seem to be viable, even Supercross no longer goes to SLC.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Aaron's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    I'd be up for a track day at MMP.

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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Quote Originally Posted by longrider View Post
    Jmetz, you are correct. The Miller owned land is adjacent to the track.
    Ah, I knew the Millers owned the 900 acres, but wasn't aware that they were offering that portion to the state. I blame my being sick. Fortunately, the land is only one of five others. Hopefully the prison is placed elsewhere, because even if somebody else steps in to save MMP, having a lockup next door to the track won't help much.

    Quote Originally Posted by longrider View Post
    I read in another article that the reason for the closing is they have not been able to make it profitable in 10 years, still losing around $1 - $2 million a year. The fact all the major races have pulled out certainly doesn't help. I also read that the state and county is working to find another operator for the track but I doubt anybody will jump in to lose millions. Motorsports in Utah just dont seem to be viable, even Supercross no longer goes to SLC.
    Yeah, it seems like the survival of Motorsports in Utah was dependent upon the sheer will Larry Miller himself. WSBK started racing there in 2008, then he passed away in 2009. When the contract ended in 2012, Larry wasn't there to push getting the contract renewed. AMA also pulled out shortly after WSBK.

    It's true that the Utah population itself would hardly have been able to sustain a world-class venue like MMP on their own. But the point of facilities like these are to draw people to them. MotoGP and WSBK events in Europe are able to pull in spectators from everywhere, not just locally. The problem, I think, falls strictly to the side that there just isn't enough interest from Americans in general. Particularly lacking are wealthy benefactors who would be willing to take a loss while they get all of the pieces in place, marketing and so on, to generate interest and turn a profit. For MMP, the current owners just didn't care to keep at it. Losing MMP means losing a great venue for MotoAmerica. It also means losing a home track for potential new blood, unless it is saved by another interested party. All-in-all, it just makes me sad.

  14. #14
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Good memories of R2SL there. I was lucky to do a few sighting laps on a borrowed race bike while working the event. Be a real shame if the track is not reopened at some point.
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  15. #15

    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    It's a real shame....Miller is an great track and facility. I am planning on heading out for the Labor Day full track event September 7th with some buddies from back east. The one and only time that I made it out there to ride was another full track day with Keigwins. Not enough riders showed up for the event, so they just made it an open day with no groups. It worked out really good as I blew a fork seal a short time into the morning so I ended up hot swapping bikes with my buddy all day long. Go out and crank out 6 or 7 laps (mind you the full track is something like 4.5 miles long and 23 corners), come back in for my buddy to hop on, repeat all day. I was absolutely spent but had a blast!

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    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Definitely gotta get out there before they close that joint... anyone know if they rent bikes out there?
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    I'm pumped... Let's let the healing begin! Lifetime Supporter ~Barn~'s Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Road that track for R2SL. It was quite the impressive complex, and a really outstanding track. Very big, very configurable... challenging. It was an awesome place to ride a motorcycle. Fascinating that as quickly as I remember it being built and getting there to experience it, it's now looking like it's going away. I think this is my cue that I should go get out and go support events at HPR. =\
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    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Motorcycling is a sport on its last tread here in the US unfortunately, as sad as it is but I believe this motoamerica try is futile... Nascar took over and that's a wrap. Society would shut down schools and tracks to build more shopping malls, prisons and apartment complexes if they could
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Sad news. Looks like a great track. I really don't understand this place we live in so far as enthusiasm toward one sport vs another. When people actually catch a motorcycle roadrace, or any other non-oval-track race, they're pumped but, don't seek it out further or maybe it just isn't popular enough (in some media conglomerate marketing room) to broadcast much here? The rest of the developed planet gets it, I'm baffled as to why the American market differs so much on this.
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  20. #20
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    Several reasons IMO for the demise of tracks here in the US.

    1. Lack of a development series to feed the pro ranks. MotoAmerica might be a last ditch effort with "Moto3" and "Moto2-like" rules. Remember the RedBull Rookies Cup? Dead. So no impetus to run road races at the same level.

    2. Public image of motorcyclists in general. Either bar-hoppin Harleys or squids stunting on freeways.

    As for the Miller track itself, it currently runs the Lucas Oil Offroad trucks, ALMS, Pirelli World Challenge races to name a few... again.. how many follow those series vs how many follow NASCRAP?
    When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
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    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
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  21. #21
    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    I just still fail to see how millions follow that sorry ass sport if you can event call it that. I think a chess match has more excitement
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  22. #22
    Senior Member UHATEIT's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    I will never HATE on Nascar, I think we should praise ANY form of racing that exists in this country, if it raises any awareness of any other types of racing thats always good!
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  23. #23
    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    well that is the problem though NASCAR does not support any other type of racing but theirs and or flat track for those funky looking cars
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  24. #24
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    Re: MMP to close end of Oct 2015

    The problem with NASCAR is that it isn't relevant anywhere else in the world. So it doesn't do a good job highlighting our talents against the rest of the world. If I understand what you are saying, it would be like arguing that American Football raises awareness for Rugby. It just doesn't. NASCAR only serves itself and a very specific spectator demographic who want to see dozens of cars ramming each other at 200 MPH in a giant oval. The people I know who watch NASCAR (yes this is merely anecdotal) could not care less about F1, Le Mans, or any other race series. That's just my $0.02.

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