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-California
Dreamin'-| During
recent years automobile racing has undergone some profound changes. Unlike
most sports auto racing is drastically influenced by the state of developement
achieved in its vehicles. Space age technology has provided a new era in
race car design and as a result, auto racing has become one of the most
sophisticated and demanding sports in the world. Individuals of recognized
achievement in many fields are suddenly turning up in auto racing as drivers,
owners, builders, and designers. Automoblie racing has become an
accredited, highly professionalized sporting activity. But what of the
facilities?
- If there were one basic premise on which Orange County International Raceway was founded, it is that, if the sport of auto racing is to enjoy continued growth and success, facilities must be provided that are commensurate with the professional status of the men and cars competing there. - We set out to create an atmosphere, an atmosphere of professionalism, of excitement, yet one of comfort. Determining the physical composition of something so intangible prover to be a most elusive thing. However, by analyzing the three basic factors embodied by our "atmosphere," we were able to resolve a course of action. |
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| Professionalism
- The professional facility would have to provide an efficient, complete and safe racing program. Considering safety first we provided continuous guardrailing for the entire length of the drag strip. Rails approaching and leaving the turnouts are designed in such a way as to direct an uncontrolled vehicle back onto the race coarse. At the end of the paved surface (the longest shut-off distance provided by any track in Southern California) there is an additional 300 feet of loose sand. Sand pits have proved very effective for stopping race cars that have sustained combined parachute and brake failures or which have unable to stop in the paved area provided. Beyond the sand there are a series of waterfilled, plastic tubes which have tremendous energy absorbing capacity. In addition to employing the best technocal/safety inspectors available, we hired Marines from the adjacent airbase at El Toro, who are experienced in crash and fire rescue procedures. These men wear protective clothing that enables them to walk through flames to rescue others. - Our crash trucks contain two types of fire extinguishers, cutting torches and other metal cutting equipment. A pair of gasoline engine driven roller starters have been installed in the hot car pit, thereby eliminating the necsssity of high speed push starts in this area. Fire extinguishers, directional control, and communicational provisions may be found at each turnout. Separate lanes for push starting and push car return have been designated to rduce the hazards inherent in the traditional push start. Emergency procedures involving the ambulances, hospitals, doctors, and insurances have been established in advance to allow the fastest possible reaction to an emergency. - We felt that efficiency could be best achieved through competent personnel and advanced programming. After visiting most of the better tracks in the country, we were able to institue systems and procedures which had already proved effective. These systems are manned at Orange County by trained personnel who possess vast experience in the sport. - Months were spent analyzing patterns of other facilities and running mock races on various track layouts to determine the most functional configuration. (The track was almost built to run in opposite direction.) - A more compatible facility was avchieved thriugh routing of the drag strip return roads to provide a 2-mile road racing course. This course will enable us to host sports car, motorcycle, midget, and stock car races as well as various testing programs. Shop spaces have been afforded equipment and service retailers to further full-time utilization of the Raceway. eventually the track should become a complete automotive performance complex, and Orange County headquarters for this type of activity. - An additional factor imperative to the completeness of any racing plant is its ability to accomodate the press. Orange County provides two different levels in its tower from which the press may view both the race and pit activity. Within this air-conditioned complex are duplicating machines, telephones, telex equipment, and snack bar. Separate provisions are made for photography and television. |
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| Excitement
- The basis for excitement at any race track is naturally the racing itself however, we have sought to enhance this color and romance through various means. Graphic patterns and colors add interest and character to the structures at O.C.I.R. banners are designed to reflect the contributions of manufacturers and others closely related to the sport. Flags and poles lend gaiety and movement. Multi-hued spotlighting will emphasize the dazzling brilliance of the specially prepared painted and metallic surfaces of the race cars and the flame suits of the drivers. Interviews at the starting line with prominent personalities of the sport will provide the spectator with greater insight of the sport. Regular weekly programs will encompass the entire spectrum of drag racing competition and highlighted by aerobatic demonstrations, parades, and whelstand competitions. The varied concession menu, the banners and flags, the manufacturers' displays, speedshops, hawkers, and the colorful garb of the raceway officials and racers should lend a very lively carnival-like air to the track. |
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| Comfort
- Unfortunately, spectator comfort has been the most often overlooked aspect of auto racing facilities. The Orange County spectator, by contrast, will enjoy the permanency and consequent cleanliness of spacious restrooms and concessions. Drinking fountains are located throughout the track. An abundance of refuse containers should keep litter to a minimum. Spectators enter the track through turnstiles which eliminates traffic delays and congestion. Arcades afford the concession customer or window shopper protection from pit traffic. Reserved seats with backs are offered in select arears to insure seat retention during those times when the spectators wishes to leave his seat to visit other areas of the track. Row spacing has been extended to give ample leg room and to allow the fitting of chair type seats later, should this prove feasible. - Supervised children's play areas will be established to enable parents to enjoy the racing undistracted and without the expense of a baby sitter. - Cleanliness is insured through the immense paved pit areas and through a most extensive landscaping program. I think that the groundskeepers will have the greatest appreciation of the enormity of the landscaping. For them the irrigation, by truck, of all the trees, groundcover and shrubs is a 24 hour a day task. Although the plant stock is in its infancy this year and not really that noticeable, within a few years Orange County International Raceway should truly be a raceway-park. |
| California Dreamin'----- | |
-----Biography: OCIR |
