In the late 1990s, fear of NHMS' and Lime Rock's future led New England Region Sports Car Club of America NER SCCA to form a New Track Committee. Around 2004, a 500-acre site was found, and the Palmer Motorsports Park (PMP) saga began.
With a P&S in hand, NER drafted a site plan and, 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 drafted a new plan (shown here), car suites, hotel, and a Barkow Leibinger designed building (Image1, Image2, summary), which was approved on January 5, 2009.
But the 2008 recession idled the project. With a $5K monthly nut ($250K all-in), NER SCCA’s Treasurer & Board were poised to bail when a useful idiot appeared. With funds, land and a new site plan, ground was finally broken (Groundbreaking Memo) and on May 8, 2015, PMP opened Whiskey Hill Raceway: a 2+ mile road course with vistas into Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont. Road & Track magazine listed PMP as one of North America's top 10 race tracks to drive.
Like all sagas, PMP has its heroes. First, NER's Dick Patullo, Rob Laverty and Bruce Allen who: chaired the committee, plotted a true racing circuit, and Excel'd a rosy biz plan; SCCA and Palmer folks – Kathy Barnes, Bob Ring, Don Duffy; Tim Pappas for his eco-centric plans; Glenn Conser & Bill Kephart for their Rocky Mountain High Plains support. Credit also goes to Hampden Bank's Don Anderson; J. Read Corp's Greg Read & Dan Moeller; HMS’ Joe Marko, TMS’ Will Turner, & Kenny Payson for $.02 advice; Jono Fryer Esq for Moto-Vita verve; and lastly, to short-order cook, scribe and hotshoe "Fast Fred."
History continues to be made by: Christopher Tier, Al Sandy, JC, Kaleigh, Kevin, Matt, Mark, Nick, Jack, Stan & staff who blow the marbles, wack the weeds, wave flags, pump gas, post pics, mop floors, guard the gates and and keep the lights on; and by the many instructors, sponsors, members, and others who drive hot laps or just chill in the paddock.