Very sad news from Utah is that Miler Motorsports Park is to close on October 31 this year after the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies’ lease expires with Tooele County.
“The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies has elected not to renew its lease with Tooele County and will cease operation of Miller Motorsports Park at the end of the racing season on October 31, 2015,” the company confirmed on its website. “A full schedule of racing events, driving schools, public karting and group activities will be held this summer as planned.”
Opened in 2006 in Tooele, close to Salt Lake City, Miller was a popular venue for racers but struggled to build a fan-base.
Its decade of operation saw the American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am, NASCAR regional series, AMA and FIM motorcycles, SCCA World Challenge, and others hold events (the pics above and below from regis Lefebure are from the venue’s first season – 2006 and the ALMS round)
Built at an expense of $100 million, the 511-acre compound lost most of its major events after the 2010 season, and with Larry Miller’s death in 2009, the financial viability of his passion project was hard to justify.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all of those who have supported the track over the years, both locally and worldwide, for their enthusiasm and use of the facility,” said Miller Group owner Gail Miller.
The venue will be a sad loss to the North American road racing community. All here at DSC wish the current staff well for the future, most particularly our long-time friend John Gardner.
GG with Marshal Pruett
