Catchfence

JEFFERSON, GA (March 30, 2009) – The ultimate measure of any speedway is the quality of the racing surface and, if the if the reconstruction plans at Gresham Motorsports Park (GMP) are any indication, the track is going to be one of the best anywhere when the repaving portion of the project is completed.

“I believe we are going to have one of the nicest, fastest, and best racing surfaces in the country,” said GMP General Manager Dan Elliott. “We’re putting a lot of time and consideration into the planning process for the racing surface. A lot of tracks compete for attention on several levels and we certainly think we have come up with the best package of speed, safety and excitement for our competitors and fans. The new racing surface will have a great deal to do with that.”

Located on the site of the former Peach State Speedway, Gresham Motorsports Park will feature a totally refurbished asphalt racing surface, fencing and retaining walls for the half-mile oval as well as a completely new quarter-mile Legends track on infield of the half-mile oval. The repaving of the half-mile track will be the first in more than 20 years.

Preliminary demolition of the old track over the past month has removed all the old catch fencing and interior steel guardrails. According to Elliott, actual repaving of the track will take place later this year.

“The old track (right and below) really became a problem in recent years,” said Elliott. “It was resurfaced in 1986 and patched several times after that. The old track was so worn that it really didn’t allow for side-by-side racing in some divisions. Meanwhile, the walls surrounding the facility really needed attention. The new track will address all of that. The new racing surface will not only increase speeds making Gresham Motorsports Park the fastest half-mile oval in the Southeast, but the some of the other improvements will also make it one of the safest.”

Because of the increased speeds, Elliott also indicated the management team at GMP is also considering some enhanced driver safety initiatives.

“We want to be sure we make things as safe as possible for the competitors, so we are considering implementing a mandatory head and neck restraint rule,” said Elliott. “We’ve been looking at several types of driver restraints and no decisions have been made yet, but we want to make sure that everyone who races here is protected as much as possible.”

For more information about Gresham Motorsports Park – or to enquire about booking a 2010 event at the facility – please log on to www.greshammotorsportspark.com or contact Dan Elliott at info@GreshamMotorSportsPark.com.

About Gresham Motorsports Park

Opened as Jefco Speedway with a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman (now Nationwide) race in 1967, Gresham Motorsports Park has served the auto racing community for more than 40 years. The half-mile asphalt oval, located just outside Jefferson, GA, is currently under a total facility renovation and is expected to reopen with the 26^th-Annual World Crown 300 November 12-15, 2009. The multi-purpose facility is currently formulating plans to host a wide range of events in 2010 including multiple divisions of auto racing, local and regional Craft Shows, Farmer’s and Flea Markets, Car Shows, Concerts and other community events.

- Gresham Motorsports Park Press Release