Track and facility improvements completed at Mid-Ohio

12/19/2024 03:25 PM

Investment continues in the future of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course both on- and off-track. The owner and operator of the facility, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, announced today that all phases of a series of improvements have now been completed. Highlights include the repaving of a major portion of the interior roads, an extensive update around Turn 4 including modifications to the runoff area, and the replacement of safety barriers and fencing in three areas of the track.

This latest investment brings the first track modification to the natural terrain road course in Lexington, Ohio since 1989 when the entire racing surface was repaved and widened to 40 feet. The late 1989 project also included the installation of a straight option between Turn 1 and the 180 degree turn known as the "Keyhole." It created the popular 2.258-mile, 13-turn configuration used by most professional racing series today in addition to the original 2.4-mile, 15-turn format.

This fall‘s facility alterations were a collaborative effort using the design and engineering expertise of Arcadis, Dallara‘s race testing simulations and construction services of Ohio-based Kokosing Construction Company, Inc. and Kokosing Materials, Inc. Kokosing began initial excavation work on Oct. 14 and completed its phase of the project on Nov. 8.

Kokosing led the Turn 4 modification along with assistance from Mid-Ohio maintenance and operations staff. This area is located at the end of the backstraight and known as the beginning of the "Esses" turns complex. Turn 4‘s original footprint was preserved with the existing apex curbing kept in place at driver‘s right. Its banking was reduced from 4 to 2 degrees by removing 520 feet of track surface and excavating up to 18 inches along the outside edge. This track section was reconstructed with new underdrains, aggregate base and high-performance asphalt to match the surface repavement completed in October 2023.

Another aspect of this project was improving the drainage in and around Turn 4. Both sides of the track were regraded starting 400 feet before the turn to address water flow. New catch basins were added on the inside of the turn and a new 24-inch pipe was installed under the track to move water behind the runoff area north of Turn 4.

The Turn 4 runoff area was also reshaped. The original runoff gravel was stripped and extensive material, including 500 concrete blocks repurposed from around the track, was brought in to fill and raise the surface level of this area. After the runoff area was regraded, the original gravel was respread over the new surface. Also, track millings were used to create access roads at the top and bottom on the back hillside of the graded runoff to facilitate maintenance and safety access when the track is in use.

"We‘d like to thank all our partners – Arcadis, Dallara, Kokosing Construction, Kokosing Materials and our own track operations team – for their expertise and excellent work. Plus, The National Bank of Indianapolis provided financial services for this extensive capital project," said Kevin Savoree, co-owner, president and chief operating officer of Green Savoree Racing Promotions. "We look forward to welcoming competitors and fans back to the property in the spring!"

Project Facts and Figures

The scope included:

• Five new catch basins
• 520 linear feet of track paving
• 1,370 feet of new drainage pipes, ranging from 4-inch to 24-inch diameter
• 1,600 tons of millings
• 1,875 loads of material hauled by 24 trucks
• 4,900 tons of asphalt
• 15,500 cubic yards of fill material
• 500 concrete block repurposed, originally used at the IMSA events in downtown Columbus, Ohio (held in 1985-1988)

Another phase of the work this offseason was the replacement of concrete barrier blocks with 5,300 feet of guardrail and new fencing around the track. Areas include the front straight on driver‘s right, the back straight on both sides, and then the Turn 4 area including driver‘s right through the "Esses" segment.

Additionally, Kokosing repaved 4,920 linear feet equating to 201,000 square feet of the facility‘s access and service roads which are utilized by spectators and competitors. The new surfaces include the road that leads through the main spectator gate (Gate #1) off of Steam Corners Road and enters north through the property toward the paddock areas and infield. The access road between the middle and upper paddocks was also repaved, in addition to the false grid road leading onto the track near the last turn, and pavement around the Mid-Ohio Operations Building which is often used during non-spectator racing activities.

— Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course —