maybe a new autocross site?

[Native]

Raytheon.jpg (121.22 KiB) Viewed 7105 times

This is the parking lot at Raytheon's Building Maintenance (iirc) site, across 22nd Ave. N. from the main building. The cross street is 72nd St. It's right next to the Azalea Recreation Center.

Per Google Earth's ruler, the main rectangle is 640 x 300 - 440 x 300 is concrete. The little extra rectangle to the south is about 200 x 115. A half dozen light poles, only 2 I could see in critical places (middle-ish).

The asphalt is sealed, and cracked, but no holes I could see through the fence. Couldn't get a good look at the concrete.
The whole place is gated, and lots of grid parking. Today was Sunday, and it was completely empty.

So, who among us has a connection to Raytheon?

[treekiller]

Kenny? I thought he used to (or does) work for them?

[WAFlowers]

Kenny? I thought he used to (or does) work for them?

Nope. He's with Honeywell.

[BigBlue]

I wonder if this site is connected to the ground water pollution issue that is going on down there? If it is it may be tough to get access.

[Native]

Yeah, that's Raytheon.
No reason not to try, though. Unless you Greenies wanna boycott... Yellow_Colorz_PDT_06

[BigBlue]

Not a problem for me. I've had my kids already so no need to fear them coming out with 12 toes and 2 heads.

I was just wondering if the site had been shut down like the Stauffer site in Tarpon. If it's still up and running I say go for it.

[Native]

If they aren't using it, maybe that might make it easier to get. I can try to run by there during the week to see if the lot is in use.

I'll be polishing up our "site plan" and hopefully we can find a connection rather than a cold-call...

[Jamie]

Not a problem for me. I've had my kids already so no need to fear them coming out with 12 toes and 2 heads.

For those running into that issue, remember that all toes must be enclosed in your shoes, and both heads have to wear helmets.

[Loren]

Worth a closer look (anything is), but doesn't look promising. Very small site and the poles would make it very iffy.

Not enough room to safely run between the poles and the edge, which puts most of the usable space between the poles (less at least 25 feet on each side... doesn't leave much).

Those guys have been running "track events" at Tropicana this year and somehow making ends meet (huge entry fees, but I don't think tons of entries), might be worth looking into. Now that most of the construction on Race Track road is done, it might be worth inquiring there again, as well. (both of those sites were way too rich in the past, but who knows?)

[Native]

Nah, the Raytheon site is similar to the Marchant Stadium/Lakeland site, and both are a little bigger than SPC. More room between poles than Tropicana Field, and fewer poles to deal with.

Remind me what Race Track Road is?



There's also the NW corner of the Derby Lanes lot in St. Pete. They recently had some type of driving event there. It's about 600 x 400 at the wide end, and 200 at the narrow end. Anyone know anyone?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 8&t=h&z=18

[Loren]

Race Track road is a road.

But, the Race Track in question is Tampa Bay Downs. They used to have a big overflow lot that was sometimes used for autocross-type events by some of the big car dealers. Not sure exactly how they've rearranged their parking with the new road.

Here's the map
You can see where the old road was between the long parking lot on the left and the main track facilities. The new road goes around the left side.

I want to say they were asking something like $1500+ to rent the lot several years ago. If the management has changed, maybe with the current economy, they'd be more willing to deal?

[Native]

I'm guessing you mean the long, narrow lot between the track and the road. Google Earth says it's 1200 ft long and 105 feet wide. I do recall folks saying that it was extremely dusty and slick - but if the construction is done...

If anyone that end of town wants to check it out ??

Is it fenced or wide open?

[Jamie]

I'm guessing you mean the long, narrow lot between the track and the road. Google Earth says it's 1200 ft long and 105 feet wide. I do recall folks saying that it was extremely dusty and slick - but if the construction is done...

Chopping off 50-75 feet from either end, that gives it a bit more than half the useable length at Brooksville (we have about 1700 ft of the runway available to build courses on), and after 25 ft from the old part of Race Track Road, (presumably in use as an internal access road), about the same width.

[AScoda]

Might be worth checking into Tampa Greyound track again. They are no longer running dogs there. Only poker and off track betting. They may be more willing to deal. I think someone said they didn't want to risk their lot getting any damage since it's old asphalt.

[Gregbj8]

I live in Lakeland and I know from this forum that you used to run at Joker Marchant. Our airport here has budget issues and the Hernando County Airport seems to run a lot of auto-x's to raise some money. What does FAST pay to run at Hernando? If the powers here at FAST are interested I could inquire at the City to see if they would rent us a portion of the airport.

Greg Riching

[Loren]

As a money-making venture, they would need to look at marketing not just to our club, but to all clubs in the area. They'd need to try to rent it as many weekends as possible to make it worthwhile.

Most airport sites charge in the neighborhood of $300-400/day.