Event Site Search

[JFine]

I thought I should start a thread pertaining the search for alternate sites. I am currently doing a grid search with Google Earth starting as far south as Tulare and working my way north to Atwater between the mountains and the coast range. If anybody wants to help research any of these sites them please contact me. Also, if you are looking into a site please post it on here so we can organize who is contacting what site.

2501 S. Sunland, Fresno, CA
This site is a no go. "Sorry, this site is contaminated and the owners will not allow this type of event on their property." Lou Ginise Property Manager

1785 Ashby Road, Merced, CA 95348
Ragu Plant(closed/vacant)
Emailed property manager Steve Tinetti on 02/17/2009. Waiting for response.

5778 W Barstow, Fresno, CA
PB Loader (larger area due south of west of main building)
Emailed salesman to try and get contact info for property manager.

(36°49'12.43"N, 119°53'42.74"W)
Empty Lot
Saw it on Google Earth and need to visit in person to verify surface. Will contact after visually verifying.

17225 Jersey Ave, Lemoore, CA 93245-9760
Tachi Palace (Parking lot due south of Casino)
Saw it on Google Earth and need to visit in person to verify. Will contact after visually verifying.

(36° 9'37.85"N, 119° 2'55.17"W)
Eckert Field (private airport)
Saw it on Google Earth and need to visit in person to verify surface. Will contact after visually verifying.

(36°26'49.80"N, 119°19'12.53"W)
Sequoia Field (airport under renovation)
Saw it on Google Earth and visited in person but was unable to verify surface. Need to contact airport manager to conduct a thorough site visit.

(36°15'35.83"N, 119°54'41.07"W)
Lemoore NAS parking lot
Saw it on Google Earth and need to contact about getting clearance to get on base for events.

29400 Whitebridge Road, Mendota, CA 93640
Spreckle's Sugarbeet Plant
Ron and Cliff visited site. Currently being closed and sold. Have called but a change in ownership was possible and need to call again.

Winton Ramp, Atwater, CA
(our old site)
I will first get use of the current site and will then move forward with trying to get back to the old site.

Central and Hayes, Fresno, CA
Fresno Police Training Facility
In contact with Stg in charge and was told "We had to downsize the driving area. The skills pad will either be a 600 x 320 pad or if we can afford the add alternate it will be 900 x 620. The driving area will be paved and can be viewed the end of this year. The facility will not be completed until Aug. 2010." This site is our best chance but is still a ways away.

[dbratten]

Winton Ramp, Atwater, CA
(our old site)
I will first get use of the current site and will then move forward with trying to get back to the old site.


How's this coming along? Do we have dates for the current small lot?

--Dan

[JFine]

I have emailed Mr. Malta and left a voice message, but I have not received a response. I plan to send him a letter via snail mail Monday. The letter will contain all of our event dates, so in case we do not find an alternate site we can at least use the small site.

[bgriggs]

I was talking with my step dad earlier today and he mentioned that the old Dan Gamel or Paul Evert's lot is now empty.

Here is a link to where I'm talking about:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Fresno,+California&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.204685,85.341797&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FZGoMAIduijc-A&split=0&ll=36.678289,-119.741836&spn=0.00549,0.010418&t=h&z=17

I'm not sure which one it is but there seems to be quite a bit of asphalt there :)

[SmokeyBear]

I was talking with my step dad earlier today and he mentioned that the old Dan Gamel or Paul Evert's lot is now empty.

Here is a link to where I'm talking about:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Fresno,+California&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.204685,85.341797&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FZGoMAIduijc-A&split=0&ll=36.678289,-119.741836&spn=0.00549,0.010418&t=h&z=17

I'm not sure which one it is but there seems to be quite a bit of asphalt there :)That link gave me a nice view of the Abby,Divasadero, Blackstone intersection but I think I know the spot you are talking about. It has an "Available, call this #" sign on it. Somebody called the # and they want $12,000 a month, or something like that. Also, it's right next to a mobile home park.

[JFine]

Yes, I got a hold of the RV Manager and he gave me the same very large cost figure. I was also told that since the mobile home park was next door that it would not work. If someone would like to do a follow up to see if anything has changed then by all means go for it. Just make sure to mention that we can set dba limits and have start and stop times for the event to limit noise to certain parts of the day.
Keep looking for sites.

[corolla86]

any one try the Millerton Lake parklot?the big one on friant.

[fastFijian]

any one try the Millerton Lake parklot?the big one on friant.

someone once said the city did not want such events held there. was some issue with cleanup. maybe its time to talk to the new mayor.

[solo2_z06]

Millerton is a state park and is not controlled by the city. All motorsport events have been denied due in part to the maintenance department claiming damage to the sealer used in the cracks and seams of the pavement.

[50Cobra]

I will try to figure out if the Lemoore NAS site can be used. I know that their have been talks of the airstrip opening for drag racing events but dont know about autox. I work on base so I will see what I can do.

[SmokeyBear]

I will try to figure out if the Lemoore NAS site can be used. I know that their have been talks of the airstrip opening for drag racing events but dont know about autox. I work on base so I will see what I can do.That would be great if you can do that. I know it was used some years ago, pre-9/11. 9/11 changed everything. Good luck!

[racinric95]

Ron is right, 9/11 did change everything. We ran there on the same weekend as the airshow with the Blue Angels. We also had a time when we had a regular schedule there. During that time we made contributions different
auxillery clubs. Our ace in the hole was a base commander who was an avid
auto-x'er. I think his name was Rex Racowitz(not sure of the spelling)

Ric

[salvadoranninja]

has anyone researched anything about the new Famoso raceway parking lot? although it is kind of far from tulare

[50Cobra]

Ron is right, 9/11 did change everything. We ran there on the same weekend as the airshow with the Blue Angels. We also had a time when we had a regular schedule there. During that time we made contributions different
auxillery clubs. Our ace in the hole was a base commander who was an avid
auto-x'er. I think his name was Rex Racowitz(not sure of the spelling)

Ric

Do you remember which parking lot you guys used? The one on the north side of base is huge but is littered with light poles. The only other option I see is the Aircraft taxi ways. This area would be very hard to get permission to use, due to FOD issues, and of course the pain problem of getting access for you guys to get on base. Either way, im looking into it.

[racinric95]

The area we used the most was a tie-down area facing west, past the
tunnel and near the tower. I don't thinked we were allowed to line the
course, only box the cones.

Ric

[JFine]

Hey guys great to see you are looking into alternate sites. I had also Google Earthed Lemoore NAS. I saw the is a large parking lot behind the buildings to the left after the main gate. I am sure we would all be willing to bend over backwards to get onto airport level taxiways/parking. Somethings have changed since 9/11 but things are a lot less crazy. I looked and the Blue Angles do not have a date for Lemoore so I am assuming the are not doing an airshow there this year. I now we have had some Navy guys come run with us that were from Lemoore but I am not sure what happened to them. Keep us posted 50Cobra of what you find out. Do you have a free SCCA site acquisition handout?

[50Cobra]

Thats a negative on the SCCA handout. Im waiting to talk to the Public Affair Officer and run the idea by him. I work nights so its kinda tough, also real busy on getting the car up to standards. I will keep you guys posted and let you know as soon as I hear something.

[BryanH]

This (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lemoore+nas&sll=36.322594,-119.876118&sspn=0.091697,0.154495&ie=UTF8&ll=36.333174,-119.948999&spn=0.00573,0.009656&t=h&z=17) is where we ran the 2000 Lemoore ProSolo. The northernmost jet parking area east of the long buildings.

Today I drove out 180 past Marks and noticed a large parking lot to the north. I spotted a few poles but couldn't get a good look at their spacing or much else. Note GoogleMaps is outdated here and doesn't show the recent 180 freeway expansion. Look southeast of the Marks and Nielsen (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=N+Marks+Ave+and+W+Nielsen+Ave,+Fresno,+CA&sll=36.741326,-119.842815&sspn=0.011813,0.019312&ie=UTF8&ll=36.74112,-119.842494&spn=0.005906,0.009656&t=h&z=17) intersection. Looks like there are some houses to the east. It's possible they're gone because of the freeway I suppose.

[bgriggs]

Bryan, I believe that is the auto auction site. There is a LOT of space there but it is always in use. Don't think we'd have much of a chance at all of getting in there.

[JFine]

Brandon much of a chance is better than no chance. I have seen the lot too but never have taken the time. I did go by there on a Sunday and the lot along the street was empty. Maybe someone could stop by.

Brandon I know you are busy but have you had a chance to get the scanned site acquisition packet up somewhere?

[bgriggs]

Looking around the web, found the following...

http://kermankartclub.com/schedule.htm

Looks like that's where a few of our weekends at the fairgrounds went to.

[SmokeyBear]

Looking around the web, found the following...

http://kermankartclub.com/schedule.htm

Looks like that's where a few of our weekends at the fairgrounds went to.Yeah - I heard an ad on the radio for something they are calling "Midway Madness." Pretty clever of them, I think. Also charging admission.

[JFine]

36°14'19.06"N 119°45'50.93"W Tachi Palace No Good have pictures.
36°36'23.12"N 119°55'37.40"W No Good have pictures.
36°40'10.88"N 119°43'49.51"W No Good no pictures.
36°42'47.65"N 119°46'10.50"W No Good contaminated have pictures.
37°23'28.88"N 120°43'26.83"W No Good Foster Farms Plant have pictures.
36°40'34.48"N 119°54'14.05"W Fresno Police Training Facility, ground breaking has not yet started. Have current pictures of site.

I have come to the realization that we need 500' x 500' minimum for a course with a parking/paddock area next to it.

[JFine]

At the meeting we discussed the possibility of a New Site Rewards Program.
The concept is for you to find a new site in the central valley that we are not currently using and present it to the club and once we conduct and event at the proposed site you will receive the award.

Award ideas that were brought up were:
$400 gift certificate to TireRack.:eek:
You run for free at that site.:eek:

The club is looking for other ideas for rewards, if you find the club a new site. We will discuss all suggestions posted here at the April meeting and finalize which one we want to use.

[JFine]

I drove up to the fairgrounds to day to look at the surface in detail and talk to the management of the fairgrounds. In the meeting the surface was discussed and it gravel/dirt that has been compacted. I can agree that there was loose gravel on all of the surface but below it seemed pretty hard. Basically I was told if we could get the site paved we could us it otherwise it is a no go. Just a site note the 400' x 1000' parking lot rents for $350. :eek: What a deal if it would have been paved! The lady I met with took my name and number in case any other facilities came to her mind. She did mention the Ragu Plant at the North edge of the town. I am currently working on trying to get a hold of the owner which now is Morning Star.

I am going to suggest if someone can find a site that they get to run for FREE for life on that site. The cost each year to the club would be worth any usable site we can find.

[Rick Turner]

Josh

My sister-in-law is a property manager, I'm going to ask her if she can help us out or if she knows of any good sites in the area.

Rick :cool:

[JFine]

Thank you Rick for having your Sister-in-Law look for sites.
I am trying to stay motivated to continue looking for sites via Google Earth, but I have only seen 5 people post a few possible sites.:( I know we have limitations on what is available and we want a particular size area for course and paddock/parking. I have organized ALL the sites proposed so far into an order by which they can be researched. First is “NEED TO VISIT AND CONTACT” under this heading area sites that need to be looked into by someone, so please post that you will look into one so only one of use make contact. The second title “POSSIBLE BUT BEING USED” is obvious that someone needs to talk to the owner to see if the site is ever clear for our use. The third title “BEING RESEARCHED” is where I put down names next to who is looking into particular sites. The last two titles are pretty self explanatory. PLEASE IF YOU READ THIS PICK A SITE FROM THE LIST OR ADD ON TO THE LIST!!! ;)I don’t want to be stuck with the Fresno Fairgrounds as being our only sites so PLEASE help the club find alternates.

NEED TO VISIT AND CONTACT:
(36° 9'37.85"N, 119° 2'55.17"W)
Eckert Field (private airport)
verify surface

(36°26'49.80"N, 119°19'12.53"W)
Sequoia Field (airport under renovation)
verify surface

Millerton Upper Boat Ramp
Need to see if available now?

Famosa Pit area

Autoauction site Marks and Nielsen

POSSIBLE BUT BEING USED:
(36°49'12.43"N, 119°53'42.74"W)
Empty Lot

BEING RESEARCHED
JFine:
1785 Ashby Road, Merced, CA 95348
Ragu Plant(closed/vacant)

5778 W Barstow, Fresno, CA
PB Loader (larger area due south of west of main building)

50Cobra:
(36°15'35.83"N, 119°54'41.07"W)
Lemoore NAS parking lot


NO GOOD SITES:
36°14'19.06"N 119°45'50.93"W Tachi Palace No Good have pictures.
36°36'23.12"N 119°55'37.40"W No Good have pictures.
36°40'10.88"N 119°43'49.51"W No Good no pictures.
36°42'47.65"N 119°46'10.50"W No Good contaminated have pictures.
37°23'28.88"N 120°43'26.83"W No Good Foster Farms Plant have pictures.
2501 S. Sunland, Fresno, CA site is contaminated and the owners will not allow
29400 Whitebridge Road, Mendota, CA 93640 Spreckle's Sugarbeet Plant
Paul Evert’s OLD LOT
Merced Fairgrounds

FUTURE SITES:
JFine:
36°40'34.48"N 119°54'14.05"W Central and Hayes, Fresno Police Training Facility, ground breaking has not yet started. Have current pictures of site.

[miatacrosser]

(36°26'49.80"N, 119°19'12.53"W)
Sequoia Field (airport under renovation)
verify surface

Famosa Pit area



I haven't been to Sequoia Field in a number of years but unless the renovation that is happening involves the tarmac itself it is not going to work for us. The field was in unusable condition 15years ago and I'm sure wouldn't be any better now. I will go over to the field after I get off of work today.

Other than Sequoia Field and Famosa Raceway Pit area are there any other areas that are in Tulare County? I don't have google earth and I can't make out the coordinates. Eckert Field looks like it is in my area also. Maybe Reedley Airport?

[Rick Turner]

Yes there is something else in Tulare County, the Visalia Airport out at Plaza Park. I've seen the Visalia Police practice driving on an area to the south and west of the runway, over towards Highway 99, near the S.P.C.A. (I think it is). I've seen them running around there several times in the past while driving by on 99. :rolleyes:

Josh, we'll see if we can turn something up, glad to help. :)

Rick :cool:

[solo2_z06]

Everything at Millerton has been deemed no longer available to car events. The maintenance staff has determined that these events are too destructive to their parking areas.

[JFine]

Thank you guys for looking into those sites.:) Gary I wanted to see if the Millerton people had possibly changed their mind.
Below is just an updated list. As I have time I will updated the list with who is working on what and where.

NEED TO VISIT AND CONTACT:

( 37°35'29.81"N 120°59'11.40"W)
800 x 500 empty lot in South Modesto

Visalia Airport

Autoauction site Marks and Nielsen

POSSIBLE BUT BEING USED:
(36°49'12.43"N, 119°53'42.74"W)
Empty Lot

BEING RESEARCHED
JFine:
1785 Ashby Road, Merced, CA 95348
Ragu Plant(closed/vacant)

5778 W Barstow, Fresno, CA
PB Loader (larger area due south of west of main building)

50Cobra:
(36°15'35.83"N, 119°54'41.07"W)
Lemoore NAS parking lot

Steve Bradford:
(36° 9'37.85"N, 119° 2'55.17"W)
Avenue 204 and Road 232
Eckert Field (private airport)
209-568-0131‎
verify surface

(36°26'49.80"N, 119°19'12.53"W)
Sequoia Field (airport under renovation)
verify surface

Famosa Pit area

NO GOOD SITES:
36°14'19.06"N 119°45'50.93"W Tachi Palace No Good have pictures.
36°36'23.12"N 119°55'37.40"W No Good have pictures.
36°40'10.88"N 119°43'49.51"W No Good no pictures.
36°42'47.65"N 119°46'10.50"W No Good contaminated have pictures.
37°23'28.88"N 120°43'26.83"W No Good Foster Farms Plant have pictures.
2501 S. Sunland, Fresno, CA site is contaminated and the owners will not allow
29400 Whitebridge Road, Mendota, CA 93640 Spreckle's Sugarbeet Plant
Paul Evert’s OLD LOT
Merced Fairgrounds
Millerton Upper Boat Ramp
Foster Farms-Livingston

FUTURE SITES:
JFine:
36°40'34.48"N 119°54'14.05"W Central and Hayes, Fresno Police Training Facility, ground breaking has not yet started. Have current pictures of site.

[cap49]

I haven't been to Sequoia Field in a number of years but unless the renovation that is happening involves the tarmac itself it is not going to work for us. The field was in unusable condition 15years ago and I'm sure wouldn't be any better now. I will go over to the field after I get off of work today.

Other than Sequoia Field and Famosa Raceway Pit area are there any other areas that are in Tulare County? I don't have google earth and I can't make out the coordinates. Eckert Field looks like it is in my area also. Maybe Reedley Airport?

Checked out Reedley Airport last year and found they were interested. The problem was there just wasn't enough room. The only usuable area was the guest airplane parking that is just not big enough.

[wineguy]

newb here...

I drove by the PB Loader property at lunchtime today -- it's just east of Highway 99 & north of Barstow Avenue. I'm assuming that the odd-shaped parking lot is what you're looking at. The surface looks pretty good - relatively good condition asphalt. I couldn't tell where the drain grates were, although there was a couple of low spots in a couple of areas. There is one very tall light/camera pole more-or-less in the middle. Google Earth gave me the rough measurements, and the rough area is about 3.5 acres. I checked the carnival lot at the Fairgrounds and it appears to be larger at about 6.5 aceres. The PB Loader lot is fenced with chain link around the perimiter, and a vehicle gate on the west. It will need some cleanup - some trash and debris here and there. I'm unable to attach the Google Earth pic I illustrated with... I suppose I could email it to anyone interested, though.

BTW, there was not a single car in the lot when I went by. It looks like things are shut down at the plant. Let me know if there is any interest from the powers that be, and i'll see what else I can find out. :)

Just for reference, 36 deg 48' 57.43" N & 119 deg 53' 40.43" W should put you about where the light pole is, hopefully.

[wineguy]

Other than Sequoia Field and Famosa Raceway Pit area are there any other areas that are in Tulare County? I don't have google earth and I can't make out the coordinates. Eckert Field looks like it is in my area also. Maybe Reedley Airport?

Speaking of Tulare, is there anythig out at the Tulare Farm Show site? I've never been there, just driven by on 99 occassionaly...

[JFine]

Peter see if you can get contact info for PB Loader. All I could find was an email for the sales staff. I was going to purpose to them to use the chain link area for paddock/parking and have an L shaped course around the building. Let me know what you find out.
Thanks for looking.

[wineguy]

Sure - no problem... I'll see what I can come up with.

There's also a large (asphalt?) parking lot/yard just north of the new Madera High South campus -- although there may be a fence or two involved. Don't know much about it, but I'll swing by there on my way into Madera in a day or two and see what it's all about.

[miatacrosser]

OK. I went to Sequoia Field last night and found it in the same shape as it was 10 years ago. Old dirty asphalt. It has been completely taken over by the department of corrections except for the small fire fighting base that still exists.

One of the sheriffs said his son races his motorcycle at an abandon airfield in Kings county and that he would check with him where it is at.

As far as the Visalia Airport goes we ran an event there about ten years ago. If you like to run around in first gear it's ideal. If anyone remembers the Air National Guard area we ran at back in the ninties, this is about the same size. There maybe more room once DHL is gone from there but I have no idea when that's supposed to happen. If at all.

Don't we have some dates at Castle and the Fair Grounds for this season?

[cap49]

Anybody know anything about Eagle Air Field in Dos Palos? It use to be an Army Aircorp field during WWII. I think it is their airport and has a museum on site.

[solo2_z06]

I looked into Eagle about 9-10 years ago. There was a limited amount of usable paving at that time. We had determined that it's location was as much an issue as the available space. The people we talked to out there were very cooperative and interested. I'm sure things may have changed since that time

[miatacrosser]

Speaking of Tulare, is there anythig out at the Tulare Farm Show site? I've never been there, just driven by on 99 occassionaly...

It's all dirt except for the road that goes throught the area

[pikerttrash]

what about the old parking lot for the sunnyside swap-meet on olive west of clovis ave?

[wineguy]

I stopped PB Loader on the way home from work today and spoke with a security guard that was there. He couldn't tell me a lot, except that the property is shared by PB Loader and AGH (American Grape Harvester). He said someone is usually in the office during the day, so I will stop by in the next day or two to see what else I can find out. He also said that a company called Vie-Del is involved, and IIRC they may be the owners of the property! The security hut up front had a few memos taped to the walls here and there on Vie-Del letterhead -- fortunately, my company has a long history if business with Vie-Del, so I will call a couple people that I know down there and find out what I can. Very interesting... :D

[JFine]

Ok the Sunnyside swap meet area is an old drive in theater, so itis not level. I live right near it so it was check right off but thanks for asking. I will have to add it to the no good list.

Cool about the PB Loader, and keep us posted as you continue to do research.

Anybody else come across anything that did not work or they are looking into?:cool:

[wineguy]

Left a message with a secretary at Vie-Del today for one of the owners to call me back -- I expect to hear tomorrow or Friday. So, being the newb, what exactly do I tell them? I pretty much understand what's going on, but what about questions regarding rental fees, insurance, security, etc.? I remember seeing or hearing something about a site acquisition packet somewhere -- I'm assuming that's applicable in this case. Any idea where I can find it, or how to get a hold of one?

Jsut let me know -- PMs are fine if it's non-public information...

BTW, the secretary asked me "What's autocross?" :)

[miatacrosser]

Ok the Sunnyside swap meet area is an old drive in theater, so itis not level. I live right near it so it was check right off but thanks for asking. I will have to add it to the no good list.:

Are you disqualifiing Sunnyside because it''s not level? Maybe the bumps might be kinda fun to autocross on. I don't know the place other than my girlfriend, at the time, and me woke up about 6 o'clock in the morning in the back of my PU after we both had passed out at the movies in 1977. We were the only ones there:o

[wineguy]

OK, so I FINALLY heard back from the powers-that-be regarding the PB Loader location... (has it really been 4 weeks! :confused:)

Anyway, there may be some interest. I didn't get a "NO" over the phone. I've emailed off the site info packet, and the link to this weekend's event. I probably won't be at the Fairgrounds this weekend, but I invited her to stop by and see first-hand what it was all about. If she expresses an interest in doing so, I will let whoever know about it, and maybe they could offer her a ride or something? :eek:

The question that I couldn't answer, is how much does the club pay for site usage? I'm assuming that's the case, and that we're paying for the Fairgrounds. Maybe not though -- help me out here. I reviewed the minutes of the meetings posted, but didn't see any numbers there. PMs are fine for the info, if you don't want it publicly posted on the forums. I will let her know what I find out.

Thanks in advance.