In late 1998, with fear about NHMS' and Lime Rock's future (and Thompson's roval sprouting weeds), the New England Region Sports Car Club of America NER SCCA formed a New Track Committee to find a "home" track. Around 2006, a P&S secured 500+ acres in Palmer and the Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP) saga began.
With a P&S in hand, NER produced a site plan. After professional review and public hearings, on December 17, 2007 the Palmer Planning Board issued NER a special-use permit. A pro racer & developer took over and proposed a new circuit (shown here), car suites, hotel, and a Barkow Leibinger building (Image1, Image2, summary), which the board
approved on January 5, 2009.
After the 2008 Recession, the project stalled. With a $5K monthly nut and $250K total spend, NER's board & Treasurer were poised to write it off. Then a useful idiot appeared. With funds, land and permits in hand, ground was finally broken in late 2013 (Groundbreaking Memo) and in May 2015 Whiskey Hill Raceway opened: a 2.3 mile circuit with views into New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and New York. Road & Track named PMP one of North America's top 10 race tracks to drive.
Like all sagas, PMP had its heroes. First, NER SCCA's Dick Patullo, Rob Laverty and Bruce Allen, who: chaired the committee, plotted a 2+mile swooping 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-friendly plans; Glenn Conser & Bill Kephart for their Rocky Mountain High Plains support. Credit also goes to Don Anderson of Hampden Bank; Greg Read & Dan Moeller of J. Read Corp; HMS’ Joe Marko, TMS’ Will Turner & Ken Payson for $.02 advice & J Fryer for hourly advice; and lastly, to short-order cook, scribe and hot shoe "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 pics & keep the lights on; and by our instructors, sponsors, club members and everyone turning hot laps on track or chilling in the paddock.