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TOOELE VALLEY -- Miller Motorsports Park has signed an agreement with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), one of America's top sanctioning bodies for sports car racing, that creates the Utah Region of NASA.
The NASA Utah Region will replace the Miller Park Racing Association, founded in 2006 when the track opened, to foster the growth of amateur sports car racing in the Intermountain West. The local racing community has grown sufficiently to attract national sanctioning from NASA, leading to the creation of the Utah Region. In addition to sanctioning and operating the Utah Region racing series, the Utah Region of NASA will also offer a variety of options for drivers who want to experience high-speed driving without the constraints of a competitive environment.
"This is a proud day for us," said John Larson, General Manager of Miller Motorsports Park. "When we launched the Miller Park Racing Association back in 2006, the goal was just to provide a local platform for sports car enthusiasts who wanted to go racing in a safe and controlled environment. It is very gratifying that NASA has agreed to create the Utah Region, and it will take our local racing and track-day programs to a new level."
"We are very pleased to add the NASA Utah Region to our family," added John Lindsey, NASA's Chief Divisional Director. "Miller Motorsports Park is truly a world-class facility, and having a NASA program in place at the track to serve drivers in the area is a big win for us."
The 2012 NASA Utah Region season will consist of seven race weekends between April and October, with two feature races per weekend, and will utilize all four of MMP's track layouts. The season also includes non-points Spring and Fall Enduro events held in March and October.
During a race weekend, classes are combined into several Run Groups including High Performance Driving Event (HPDE), Lap Battle Time Attack, Big-Bore, Small-Bore and Open-Wheel/Sports Racer. The Run Groups are structured so that vehicles of similar performance potential are grouped together. Race weekends are three-day events with practice on Friday and races on both Saturday and Sunday. The on- track action stars daily at 8:00 a.m. and ends by 5:00 p.m. with trophy ceremonies concluding each day of racing.
HPDE is designed for those interested in learning the basics of High Performance Driving, or who want to drive their car on a racetrack in a controlled, professionally- staffed environment. HPDE gives drivers a chance to test their skills and learn from NASA's cadre of experienced instructors in a venue designed for safe, spirited driving removed from the risks present on the street. NASA's HPDE program has become the standard for the ‘open track' industry and features multiple skill levels to ensure that drivers are able to enjoy a safe and fun day at the track.
NASA Utah Region will also host the Lap Battle Time Attack, which offers drivers a chance to compete against the clock. Lap Battle classes are determined by drivetrain configuration (AWD, RWD and FWD), with each having a subclass for street cars and race-prepared cars. Drivers must have completed HPDE levels 1 & 2 to be eligible to enter the Time Attack events. The region plans to introduce NASA's Time Trial program towards the end of the season as drivers progress through the HPDE and Lap Battle programs.
The NASA racing program consists of several classes that will accommodate almost any kind of race car and requires a competition license. These classes include: 944 Spec, American Iron Racing, Camaro/Mustang Challenge (CMC), Factory Five Challenge, German Touring Series, Honda Challenge, Performance Touring, Spec E30, Spec Miata Challenge, Super Touring, Super Unlimited, and Open-Wheel. Points earned in these events will be applicable towards qualification for the NASA National Championship event, which will be held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on September 6-9, 2012.
Anyone with a NASA competition license is immediately eligible to race. Drivers with licenses from the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Porsche Club of America (PCA), Porsche Owners Club (POC), BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA), International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Grand-Am or an equivalent racing license are eligible to apply for a NASA license.
In addition, drivers with significant on-track experience, such as performance driving schools, open track days and time-trial-type events, can sign up for evaluation through the region's Race Licensing School. Completion of the four-day Race Licensing School offered by MMP's Ford Racing High Performance Driving School - the official High Performance Driving School of the NASA Utah Region - will earn a racing license recognized by NASA and SCCA. Recommendation for a Grand-Am license is also an option. Students will receive actual race experience, interspersed with more classroom sessions and feedback. Register for the licensing program by calling 435-27-SPEED or by visiting www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com.
Discounted online pre-registration is available to save participants time and money. Every participant must take their vehicle through on-site Tech Inspection prior to driving on the track.
The 2012 season for the NASA Utah Region gets underway on March 31, with the non-points, three-hour Spring Enduro. Dates for the seven race weekends (two races per weekend) are April 21-22, May 12-13, June 30-July 1, July 28-29, August 18-19, September 15-16 and October 6-7, with the Fall Enduro concluding the season on October 27.
For information regarding Miller Motorsports Park, visit the track's website at www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com or call 435-277-8000. For more information on the NASA Utah Region, visit www.NASAUtah.com or call 801-613-2781.
(Photo Caption: The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) has created the NASA Utah Region, which will organize and sanction amateur sports car racing and high- performance driving experiences at Miller Motorsports Park starting in 2012. Photo courtesy Miller Motorsports Park / Jeremy Henrie)
