[sonick]

Repost from Beyond.ca post

I am excited to invite you to a Press Launch & “enthusiasts Q&A session” with Jacques Villeneuve and founders of the new motorsports park & racetrack coming to the Southern Okanagan.

The name of the proposed motorsports park is Area 27.

Jacques Villeneuve, the Canadian of F1 racing fame, is coming to the Okanagan to tour the site of the track, for a meet and greet and press launch of Area 27.

Details are still under wraps (so the following is my understanding of it all), but Area 27 will be a full road course, motorsports park and members club. The location will be on First Nations land in the Osoyoos area.

The Porsche Club of America (BC Interior Region, BCIR PCA (http://bci.pca.org)) has been invited to the exclusive “enthusiasts Q&A” session during the press launch Sep 1 (Sun), at Spirit Ridge Resort and Spa, Osoyoos, BC ( Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa - Osoyoos, British Columbia (http://www.spiritridge.ca/)).

The Sep 1 invitation is also open to any sports cars enthusiasts who are interested in motorsports, supporting racing in BC, and potentially being a member of Area 27.

Area 27 Launch Schedule Spirit Ridge Sunday September 1, 2013

CBC radio link: www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/British+Columbia/ID/2403451277/

Global News link: Race track proposal | Watch GlobalNews Videos (http://globalnews.ca/video/815349/race-track-proposal)

[Altoids94]

Best news I've heard in awhile so stoked!

[!SG]

whatever happened to the plans in Merritt?

[TjAlmeida]

Personally I think this is the last thing Osoyoos needs.
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[BBMme]

Gotta check it out once it's complete
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[snails]

unfortunately it will probably cost more for any locals to use than they could afford... anyone ever check out what a track day cost at mission? its pretty crazy..

[twitchyzero]

For residents of Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley Osoyoos is too far...not to mention it's on 1st nation grounds which I am curious to see if it'll actually happen.

I mean for a 4-5 hour drive you can already be lapping @ Pacific Raceways or The Ridge

[SumAznGuy]

I mean for a 4-5 hour drive you can already be lapping @ Pacific Raceways or The Ridge

I agree.
A few more hours and you have have PIR and ORP.

Of course this one you don't have to both with crossing the border.

[RRxtar]

For residents of Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley Osoyoos is too far...not to mention it's on 1st nation grounds which I am curious to see if it'll actually happen.

I mean for a 4-5 hour drive you can already be lapping @ Pacific Raceways or The Ridge
the thing about first nations is in the okanagan, most bands are seriously business minded. west kelowna is one of the fastest growing areas of the country and the majority of it, including nearly all of its commercial area, is on native land, and they are opening canada's (i think) first private hospital. and the band in oliver won the contract on a massive prison that a dozen cities were bidding on.


i agree that 4 hours from vancouver isn't a great spot for people in vancouver when you have the ridge, pacific raceways, and portland within that time frame, but some people dont want to go over the border. and race city in calgary is supposed to be closing, and the nearest track to anywhere east of vancouver is spokane which is nothing more than some asphalt poured in a junk yard/gravel pit and seattle is 6+ hours. a track in osoyoos would be the only track within a 4 hour drive for like 500,000 people in the interior and kootenays

[MG1]

Nobody goes to Ashcroft?

[Traum]

Osoyoos is 4 hr 40 min away from Vancouver according to Google Map, and there are no borders to cross. Compare that with Pacific Raceway, which is 3 hrs away, and Ridge, which is 4 hrs away with border cross, I'd say distance-wise, Osoyoos is on par with the Ridge. I know you can't tell how the track is gonna drive from just looking at the track map, but from the looks of it, the layout that was shown in the video seems like it'll be loads of fun. It also seems like it'll be a bigger and longer track.

From the looks of it, here are my few concerns:

- What is the elevation gonna be like? From the video, it seems like it'll the track will sit on a mostly level field with only some slight elevation changes. Some elevation changes make for a extremely fun track. This is why PR and Ridge are so much fun to drive.

- How big is the track gonna be? If the track is smaller than Mission, it'll be no fun. If it is closer to COTA size, event fees could get expensive.

- With the track in Osoyoos, winter use will almost be completely out of the question. So it can't do the same winter track days that PR and Ridge holds, and I sure hope the winter loss of use won't make the usage fees for spring-summer-fall use more expensive.

- Ridge took a good 6 years to transform from merely a concept to an actual drivable track. I sure hope this Osoyoos track won't take as long.

[radioman]

Two DRS zones.

[Harvey Specter]

Robbie Dickson and Reiko from housewives of Vancouver fame are supposedly looking to invest in the track...

Cars from the meet and greet in YT:

http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/777709c414cc11e3b5f422000a1f9a34_7.jpg

http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/ec563e9014ea11e3bfc622000a9d0dda_7.jpg

[StylinRed]

villeneuve seems to have reaaaaaaally let himself go


as for the track i think its too far away! imo it should be across from Barnet but i think that's all parkland :/ the space is there for it and its beautiful scenery and close enough to vancouver

would make a perfect F1 track :D

[dark0821]

Just watched the video.... the native chief and I quote

"people with 500,000 dollar cars are not poor, as a business venture, this is the kind of people you want around"

so I am guessing, maybe this is, at least for the first few years, you are probably not going to see many civics on the track, a membership will probably cost more than most of our cars. totally serious


I would love to have a bigger/challenging track than mission, at 4 hours, its not close, but its not that far either. As for cost goes, its just Canada or just motorsport in general. You do go thru $800/track day, if you add up all the cost, gas, brakes, tires and actual cost of the track day....even $300/auto-x. Its not going to get any cheaper, pay to play I guess...

lastly I want to point out, too early to get excited about, we will be lucky to be able to drive on it in 5 years if we can afford it =P

[jing]

$300 AutoX events? Wat
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[godwin]

I find trailering cars down the I5 a lot less stressful (on nerves and truck) than trailering the interior highway. But from the looks at it, this provides racers with their own private garages and they just jet in. Most grass roots racers would rather go to the States, the only one that would go that far, would be people who can't go... but in the end, I don't see LeMon's happening there.

Motor racing is not cheap.. consumables will always be cheaper in the States (re&re brakes and tires before you head home? yes please).. I just don't see BC and Ab have enough racers to sustain operations. With the weak US economy, I don't see people from down South coming up either..

Other private race tracks like Monitcello, Ascari etc are always on the financial knives edge. Monitcello had to build a casino to sustain operations (which I suppose will be the case here).

As long as the gov doesn't have to bail them out, it is fine with me it is good to have choices... Personally, I still prefer down south.

[Phil@rise]

I doubt they are targeting actual racers but instead the wealthy and semi wealthy with leased supercars that want somewhere legal to drive them as designed not far from their house boat or "cottage". Then cruise up to the winery to top off the days festivities.

[Traum]

Canada, and Vancouver in particular, is a much smaller market compared to the US. If the developers make this into a (mostly?) private track, are they going to have enough business and revenue to support the operations at all?

Mind you, if the developer knows how to market themselves to the Mainland Chinese market in the Lower Mainland, then they'd be all set.

[snails]

i wish there could be "off hour" use of mission road course... still have some safety officials there but for the time the tracks not being rented for sanctioned races have it open kinda like Mission street legals...

sure it might not be as profitable but any amount of money coming in is still a good thing! i would easily pay 50-100$ for a local track day and i know many who would.. it would get peoples foot in the door so eventually they could take it more serious and provide future clients.

i have had my car on the road course and it was a blast, but with the price, it is discouraging... every time you go home you find something to upgrade.. i dont wanna spend 400$ on a track day just so i can find out my brakes arnt good enough for 5 serious laps then waste the rest of the day

[SumAznGuy]

Mind you, if the developer knows how to market themselves to the Mainland Chinese market in the Lower Mainland, then they'd be all set.

N'ah too far away, much easier to race from Richmond to White Rock.
Also, the guys running the track would have to hire Mandarin speaking course workers and put garbage cans everywhere.

[godwin]

Damn Straight! because an idiot family with members Hai Xia Sun, Frank Zhao, Li Sha Chang say so.. RESPECT. hahaha oh apparently it is part of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.

The chances of this course running for a few years, are just as good as that family winning a court case.

N'ah too far away, much easier to race from Richmond to White Rock.
Also, the guys running the track would have to hire Mandarin speaking course workers and put garbage cans everywhere.

[saucywoman]

Nobody goes to Ashcroft?

Ashcroft is 1/4 mile.
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[twitchyzero]

project's been greenlit..construction to start this spring.
looks like $35K+ to be a member...members can have 15 guests a month
FAQ < Area 27: Discover Your Life On Track (http://www.area27.ca/faq/)

[Traum]

Can car clubs rent the track for a day?

No, the track is exclusively for the enjoyment and use of the members and their guests.
:banghead:

[320icar]

that is fucked up. a new track is finally being established, and only fucktards can use it. wow. congratulations to everyone on this project.

Can car clubs rent the track for a day?

No, the track is exclusively for the enjoyment and use of the members and their guests.


fuck you too.

[Traum]

Every product has a target audience, and this race track is no different -- the target audience are high rollers looking for exclusivity.

I do not blame the proprietors for targeting this group. The Area 27 motorsport club is seeking 100 charter and 200 regular memberships. Given their fee structure, if they can meet the membership targets, they are looking to collect $11M from initiation fees, and roughly $1.5M in yearly membership dues.

But it makes me wonder:

1) can they find the required 100+200 members to sign up?
2) is $1.5M in yearly membership dues enough to keep the track running?

I am especially skeptical about Q2. Any time a re-paving job is needed, a good chunk of that yearly membership revenue will get eaten up.

[RRxtar]

I was positive they were selling memberships to get the project off the ground, and that it would open up to user group renting once it was established. Now Im not so sure.

[Zulu]

that is fucked up. a new track is finally being established, and only fucktards can use it. wow. congratulations to everyone on this project.

Can car clubs rent the track for a day?

No, the track is exclusively for the enjoyment and use of the members and their guests.


fuck you too.



"... Yeah because I really wanna pay to build out a racetrack and have some teenager in a pile of crap civic smash into my ferrari because his car was falling apart."

Go build your own track and let tards like yourself come onto it all you please. I think you're just experiencing jealousy.

[aeowner]

its not in osoyoos it will be in oliver on the east side of the valley

[320icar]

"... Yeah because I really wanna pay to build out a racetrack and have some teenager in a pile of crap civic smash into my ferrari because his car was falling apart."

Go build your own track and let tards like yourself come onto it all you please. I think you're just experiencing jealousy.

Don't hold back man. Tell me how you really feel.

[IINur]

"... Yeah because I really wanna pay to build out a racetrack and have some teenager in a pile of crap civic smash into my ferrari because his car was falling apart."

Go build your own track and let tards like yourself come onto it all you please. I think you're just experiencing jealousy.

Lol, don't worry, you won't be racing there either. Sucks, because you'd fit right in with your snobby c-cksucking attitude. Civics, lol, good luck dodging FOB's in their Ferraris haha

[GabAlmighty]

What if I wanna drive an old Volvo on the track?

[!Kodamu]

"... Yeah because I really wanna pay to build out a racetrack and have some teenager in a pile of crap civic smash into my ferrari because his car was falling apart."

Go build your own track and let tards like yourself come onto it all you please. I think you're just experiencing jealousy.


Civic and Ferrari don't mix at all


http://youtu.be/d68ZJZswJPc

[boatcaptain]

fa di la!

[Lomac]

Every product has a target audience, and this race track is no different -- the target audience are high rollers looking for exclusivity.

I do not blame the proprietors for targeting this group. The Area 27 motorsport club is seeking 100 charter and 200 regular memberships. Given their fee structure, if they can meet the membership targets, they are looking to collect $11M from initiation fees, and roughly $1.5M in yearly membership dues.

But it makes me wonder:

1) can they find the required 100+200 members to sign up?
2) is $1.5M in yearly membership dues enough to keep the track running?

I am especially skeptical about Q2. Any time a re-paving job is needed, a good chunk of that yearly membership revenue will get eaten up.

From what I recall reading, they're planning on reaching out to host sanctioned events. I believe they're building the track to FIA level 2 standards. That, and the audiences they hope it'll pull in, should help offset the monetary difference.

[Lomac]

"... Yeah because I really wanna pay to build out a racetrack and have some teenager in a pile of crap civic smash into my ferrari because his car was falling apart."

Go build your own track and let tards like yourself come onto it all you please. I think you're just experiencing jealousy.

I haven't seen a single track day event where cars weren't fully inspected before hand. In fact, I've seen instances where cars weren't allowed onto the track simply because the o-ring around the washer fluid bottle was allowing some weeping.

Also, time to step off your high horse.

:rolleyes:

[dared3vil0]

I haven't seen a single track day event where cars weren't fully inspected before hand. In fact, I've seen instances where cars weren't allowed onto the track simply because the o-ring around the washer fluid bottle was allowing some weeping.

Also, time to step off your high horse.

:rolleyes:

Interestingly enough the only actual road course track day i've been to was ORP with Hooked On driving last year, there wasn't a tech inspection. They didn't even look at the car. The only thing they cared about was the helmet carried the proper designation.

[white rocket]

^^Interesting. Even lapping days that I have attended have tech inspections. Pretty scary letting unknown vehicles onto a course without checking each of them. Leaky fluid on course could spell disaster from another driver.

[trollguy]

I find only certain clubs do a tech inspection..

PCA for instance will require an annual tech form signed off by a shop, and prior to entry on the day of, they'll do the typical checks (tail lights, lugs, etc..).

IIRC, VCMC will do the same on the day of. PDC as well (if they're still around...).

My last track day with FFDxTSS, i believe they had crew walking around inspection and signing you off with a sticker.

on the flip side, Turn2 does not. at all. They provide you with a form you fill out yourself to submit. They don't even check your helmet.

I suppose the rationale of the turn2 (and other organizers who dont enforce a tech inspection) is that its your car, and you're responsible enough to ensure you and everyone else is safe?

[Noran]

UBCSCC Auto-X events require you to pass tech inspection before taking part in their events. It's all fairly basic - correct amount of fluids, battery tied down tightly, tires aren't belting, etc. The driving instructor I was assigned to told me that they don't do tech inspections at track days due to liability but said it's a very good idea to inspect your car before heading out onto track for your own, and others safety, and showed me how to perform a quick inspection of my car.

It is disappointing to hear how they are running the park. It sounds like they're building it to be a 'boys club'. Don't scuff up your white sneakers too much lads.

[meme405]

I would like to see it open for people to be able to host events on the track as well.

I don't see how they are going to do this for so cheap. I mean $11M has to account for the land, the planning, the permits, and the construction. Then only 1.5M a year for maintenance and upgrades? Unless they plan on coming back to their members for more money when they want to complete the later phases of the project, or they plan on selling more members once the track is open I just don't get it.

I don't know if these people know something that I don't, or if this plan is simply not thought through completely.

With that said a guy in my apartment building is already on the list for becoming a charter member, and a couple of the guys he races with are on it as well. So they have reached out to the people who are serious about this. My neighbour has some crazy open wheeled race car, looks like a formula 3 car.

[dared3vil0]

^^Interesting. Even lapping days that I have attended have tech inspections. Pretty scary letting unknown vehicles onto a course without checking each of them. Leaky fluid on course could spell disaster from another driver.

What I found hilarious was VCMC did a tech inspection for an autocross and they didn't even look at the car for a track day!

[Traum]

As Lomac has already mentioned, the track is built to FIA level 2 standards. I think what that means is, the only races they cannot host are F1 races.

I completely agree with Lomac that they are looking to bring in some additional revenue from hosting events. But I wonder what sort of frequency this will occur. They have already indicated that members are guaranteed track access for a minimum of 2 weekends per month. So chances are, they are looking to host 2 weekend events for high dollar outside clients per month between May to Sept. So that'll be a maximum of 10 events per year.

[Traum]

What I found hilarious was VCMC did a tech inspection for an autocross and they didn't even look at the car for a track day!
As far as I remember, the only track day that VCMC did not conduct a vehicle inspection was at the Ridge last year. There were 80+ cars, and it just became impossible for the personnel to check through each one. Still, a vehicle self-check was required.

At the end of the day, regardless of whether the event host conducts a vehicle inspection or not, ultimately, it is my belief that the owner and driver of the vehicle are responsible for the condition and track-worthiness of the said vehicle. After all, they are the ones that driving it.

[dared3vil0]

^ The track day was run by Hooked On Driving, not VCMC. See my earlier comment.

"Interestingly enough the only actual road course track day i've been to was ORP with Hooked On driving last year, there wasn't a tech inspection."

[SumAznGuy]

What I found hilarious was VCMC did a tech inspection for an autocross and they didn't even look at the car for a track day!

^ The track day was run by Hooked On Driving, not VCMC. See my earlier comment.

"Interestingly enough the only actual road course track day i've been to was ORP with Hooked On driving last year, there wasn't a tech inspection."

What you need is Hooked on phonics.

[Tone Loc]

Is anyone really surprised?

Vancouver (and the Lower Mainland as a whole) is slowly turning into a playground for the rich, it doesn't matter what "race" or "ethnic group" they belong to. A lot of people joke about wealthy Chinese using the track... guess what, most of these kids can't even properly drive on public roads. Cars are just status symbols to them. So personally I argue this track will be used mostly by rich white people, not that it makes a difference. When I first heard about this track happening, I knew from the start they would never allow grassroots motorsports to participate, in order to maintain the "exclusivity" of the track, i.e., to keep out the "riff-raff" as they are putting it in much classier words.

Welcome to the future of BC, and the world in general. Note that I'm not saying anyone is "right" or "wrong"... I'm just a pessimist and this is how it is.

[Traum]

I am not at all surprised. Just disappointed, that's all. The goal of any business is to make money, and I agree that it is probably easier in this case to make more money off a smaller number of the rich and affluent than it is to do so with a much larger group of grassroot enthusiasts.

[StylinRed]

project's been greenlit..construction to start this spring.
looks like $35K+ to be a member...members can have 15 guests a month
FAQ < Area 27: Discover Your Life On Track (http://www.area27.ca/faq/)

15 guests a month but only

up to 3 guests may drive per calendar year.

*Individual guests may drive only once per calendar year on the full circuit and must pay the daily use fee.

[xghgh]

http://financenot.com/image/images/23.gifSonick is a genius. I won't go into detail what's so great about his post. But it's damn good! http://financenot.com/image/images/51.gif

[TjAlmeida]

Interestingly enough the only actual road course track day i've been to was ORP with Hooked On driving last year, there wasn't a tech inspection. They didn't even at the car only thing they cared about was the helmet carried the proper designation.


You were supposed to fill out a form before the date, and if I remember correctly as long as your car was a certain year and newer you didn't need a mechanic approved inspection. or it was at least along those lines.


Granted it's upsetting this course is exclusive, it's just as far to go to ridge etc. Variety is nice, but it's not like good facilities are not within reach.

[dared3vil0]

You were supposed to fill out a form before the date, and if I remember correctly as long as your car was a certain year and newer you didn't need a mechanic approved inspection. or it was at least along those lines.


Granted it's upsetting this course is exclusive, it's just as far to go to ridge etc. Variety is nice, but it's not like good facilities are not within reach.

I remember the form, I had it in my glove box and was never asked for it. Was I supposed to give it to someone or was it for spot checks?

[RRxtar]

there is always the chance that with enough interest from the outside, and a potential for the 'membership' to decline after the first year or 2, they may change their business model.

just for fun say they open the course to 1 trackday per week from April-October, and get ~50 cars or bikes at $200/each, that is an extra 300k.

it's hard to argue money regardless of how exclusive you want to be.

[RRxtar]

a few people have posted questions on their facebook page and they are dodging the questions

[TjAlmeida]

I remember the form, I had it in my glove box and was never asked for it. Was I supposed to give it to someone or was it for spot checks?

I thinks we were supposed to give it during sign in. Maybe not. I don't remember.

Any how, one day hopefully. Would make for a great weekend, golf, hot temps, and a track day.

[Traum]

there is always the chance that with enough interest from the outside, and a potential for the 'membership' to decline after the first year or 2, they may change their business model.

just for fun say they open the course to 1 trackday per week from April-October, and get ~50 cars or bikes at $200/each, that is an extra 300k.

it's hard to argue money regardless of how exclusive you want to be.
The problem with opening the facility up to non-members is, certain paid members would get pissed off, and understandably so. Heck, the paying member is paying big bucks because he wants the exclusivity. And now you open the facilities up to some random yahoos?

If the paying members get pissed off and quit, the facility would be fxxked as well.

[RRxtar]

The track is saying the paying members get "15 days per month" including 2 weekends.

That leaves lots of potential for empty track time.

[GabAlmighty]

Any sort of business can't afford downtime. They will find ways to fill in the downtime.

[meme405]

Jacques Villeneuve designs race track near Osoyoos - British Columbia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jacques-villeneuve-designs-race-track-near-osoyoos-1.2977273)

Canadian Formula One racing legend Jacques Villeneuve is in the South Okanagan to finalize the design of a race track near Osoyoos.

CBC reporter Brady Strachan tweets from the scene as Jacques Villeneuve arrives in B.C.

The project is a joint venture between the Area 27 Motorsports Country Club and the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Area 27 motosports track designed by Jacques Villeneuve
An overview of the Jacques Villeneuve track a local motorsports club and First Nation is trying to build near Osoyoos, B.C. (Area 27 Motorsports Country Club)

Villeneuve says the area is a good fit for a track and the weather is also reliable.

"That allows the use of a race track for many, many months of the year and it is needed," he said. "There are a lot of people with nice cars that want to drive on good tracks that have to go down to the states."

Today Villeneuve is touring the site of the future race track with investors and members of Area 27. The plan is to build a racetrack and a country club so people with high-end sports cars can push their vehicles to the limit.

"The design of the track; we also try to make it exciting and fun to drive. There is a very natural feel to the land and the track that just follows the land basically," said Villeneuve.

Area 27 Motorsports Country Club proposed race track
The plans for a new motorsports race track designed by racing legend Jacques Villeneuve near Osoyoos, B.C. (Area 27 Motorsports Country Club)

The project is awaiting final permits. Organizers want to begin building the track this spring in hopes that drivers can begin driving it next year.

Jacques Villeneuve joined motorsports' elite after winning the 1995 CART championship, the 1995 Indianapolis 500 and the 1997 Formula One World Championship.