The harsh winter cold and unrelenting snow in the St. Louis area has caused a delay in construction efforts of the Gateway Motorsports Park Dirtplex and the May debut of the TORC Off-Road race. Officials from TORC Off-Road and Gateway Motorsports Park have announced that the May 17 & 18, 2014 event has been postponed. The series, venue and track-construction team are working together to find a suitable new date while construction on the facility moves forward.
"As most people are aware, the winter of 2014 was one of the worst on record in the Midwest," said Jeff Nordstrom, track construction supervisor for TORC Off-Road who is supervising the Dirtplex construction. "According to area development specialists, it’s been about 20 years since weather has impacted construction crews and their ability to work for such an extended period of time. As a result of the extreme weather and recent rain, it has pushed our construction schedule past deadline. Obtaining the proper dirt to construct a championship off-road course, and our efforts to pave and prepare first-class spectator amenities wasn't possible in time for a May event."
The course design at the Gateway Motorsports Park Dirtplex is one of the most technically challenging on the TORC circuit. The track will feature unique landmark turns as well as the first over/under obstacle for a permanent off-road facility.
“Our number one priority is delivering a quality product to both the fans and racers,” said Chris Blair, Gateway Motorsports Park Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Our goal is to build a premiere off-road venue and make sure that when we open the gates for the first event, everyone has a memorable experience. We’re committed to a long-term relationship with TORC Off-Road and look forward to the opening event.”
“The TORC Team is looking forward to continuing our work at Gateway Motorsports Park and introducing a best-in-class track for PRO racers,” added BJ Birtwell, President of the TORC Series. “We are a very committed bunch and we certainly won’t let record-breaking weather stop us from bringing TORC racing excitement to St. Louis.”
The 14-acre Dirtplex at Gateway Motorsports Park located at 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, IL 62060. (618) 215-8888
At Gateway Motorsports Park our mission is to provide our fans, racers and sponsors with a first-class, up close and personal racing experience. This includes unprecedented access to the drag strip, the oval, the road-racing track and a nationally-sanctioned karting track as well as special events such as concert and corporate functions for year-round activity at Gateway Motorsports Park. www.gatewaymsp.com
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