Automotive
Work begins above Turn 7 at Sears Point
SONOMA, Calif. (October 11, 2000) - More than one million cubic yards of dirt has already been moved at Sears Point Raceway in less than one month, but the work has only just begun in the $35 million Modernization Plan. Construction crews are ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
SONOMA, Calif. (October 11, 2000) - More than one million cubic yards of dirt has already been moved at Sears Point Raceway in less than one month, but the work has only just begun in the $35 million Modernization Plan.
Construction crews are currently working on three different areas - the south side of the property, the hillside above Turns 2-4 on the road course and the hillside above Turn 7.
The area above Turn 7 is the latest section of Sears Point that has been attacked by the 135-ton Caterpillar earth-movers that are in operation six days a week. Machines are grading the mountainside for a new eight-to-10 lane gate that will serve as the new main entrance into the facility for race fans during event weekends. Fans will be able to access the new Gate 7 from Highway 121.
The substantial number of vehicle lanes will help ease congestion on event weekends as a means of entering/exiting Sears Point. Moreover, there will be nearly one-quarter mile of road available once vehicles enter the property, further taking traffic off the highway. The new Gate 7 will be ready for the 2001 racing season.
Work also continues at both Turns 2-4 and also on the south side of the property. Jere Starks, Vice President of Facilities at Sears Point, said he expects construction of 34,000 hillside terrace seats alongside Turns 2-4 to begin Oct. 23. In conjunction, additional run-off will be made in the area to enhance driver safety, and a 40-foot wide customer service road will be built to further help with vehicle traffic flow.
On the south side of the property, crews continue the grading process that will lead to the construction of 146,000 square feet of tenant space, plus a Go-Kart track. The Go-Kart track will not be built until Phase 2 of the plan, but the additional tenant space should be available sometime during the 2001 season.
Other Phase One elements include: new wastewater treatment system; construction of partial garages (32) for competitors; pedestrian tunnel under Highway 121; increased run-off on the road course at turns 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 6 and 7; sound wall at Turn 9 that will reduce noise emanating from the facility; and a signal light at Gate 1 to help control traffic flow;
All Phase One elements should be complete by the 2001 racing season. Once the two-year plan is complete, Sears Point will be transformed into one of the premier motor racing and entertainment venues in the world.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article SWS: Raudman Irwindale report
Next article BUSCH: Bird replaces Ward at Cicci-Welliver Racing
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
Latest news
Fermin Aldeguer defends himself after Francesco Bagnaia crash: “It wasn’t a crazy move”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
26 min
Fermin Aldeguer defends himself after Francesco Bagnaia crash: “It wasn’t a crazy move”
George Russell has lost 90 points to Max Verstappen in F1 2026 runner-up battle
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
George Russell has lost 90 points to Max Verstappen in F1 2026 runner-up battle
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe