In the late 1990s, with uncertainty about NHMS (nee NHIS) and Lime Rock (and Thompson's road course sprouting weeds) the New England Region Sports Car Club of America (NER SCCA) formed a New Track Committee to create a "flagship track". Some years later, 500+ acres were secured for what would become Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP).
Site plans were developed and after professional review and public hearings, on December 17, 2007 the Palmer Planning Board issued a special-use permit. A pro racer & developer took over and proposed a new circuit (shown here), hotel, garage suites and a Barkow Leibinger building (Image1, Image2, summary), which was approved on January 5, 2009.
After the 2008 housing crash, the developer bailed. By late 2011, with $5K monthly payments and over $250K invested, the NER board was poised to write off the project when a useful idiot appeared. Two years later, with loans, land, and all permits in hand, ground was broken by J. Read Corp
and in May 2015 Whiskey Hill Raceway opened: a 2.3 mile circuit with vistas into New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and New York ((News Release). The Road & Track magazine named PMP one of North America's top 10 race tracks to drive.
Like most epic endeavors, PMP has its heroes. First, NER SCCA's Dick Patullo, Rob Laverty and Bruce Allen, who: chaired the project, designed a swooping 2+ mile circuit, and Excel'd a rosy biz plan; SCCA and Palmer folks – Kathy Barnes, Bob Ring, Don Duffy, Mike Marciniec, Linda Leduc; Tim Pappas, for his eco-prescient plans; Glenn Conser & Bill Kephart for their Rocky Mountain High Plains support. Credit literally goes to Don Anderson of Hampden Bank; Greg Read & Dan Moeller of JRead Corp for their sweat equity; HMS’ Joe Marko & TMS’ Will Turner for their $.02 advice; and lastly, to short-order cook, scribe & club racer "Fast Fred."
History continues to be made by: Christopher Tier, Al Sandy, JC, Kaleigh, Kevin, Matt, Mark, Nick, Jack, Stan & staff who scrub floors, wack weeds, wave flags, pump gas, guard the gates, post the pics & keep the lights on; and by our instructors, sponsors, club members and everyone who races on track or just hangs out in the paddock.