Deseret News | Fast track: Larry Miller's park called one of the finest courses in the country

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Fast track: Larry Miller's park called one of the finest courses in the country

Deseret News

Published: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 3:23 p.m. MDT

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"But I am pleased with the interest people are showing in the track. I never would have expected this much interest this soon. I'll bet on most weekends we're taking upwards of 200 people on unscheduled tours. They make the trip out here just to see the track, and I told my staff I don't want to disappoint them."

The way the track has been designed, spectators will, from one of the covered grandstand areas located around the track, called "viewing oasis," will be able to see almost the entire track — start to finish and all turns in between.

"They'll be able to see between 90 and 95 percent of the whole track from any of the viewing sites, which when you consider the track covers 500 acres and is 4.5 miles long, and to be able to see almost the entire race, it is really incredible," explained Wilson.

"I've been to more than 200 tracks around the world and I've never seen a track with the viewing opportunities this track has. Also, I designed the viewing oasis so they sit right on top of what I call action sequences, either really tricky corners or areas where there will be lots of overtaking, areas where there is likely to be some excitement."

Wilson started his design work on Miller's track on Jan. 7, 2005. He said it took roughly seven months of intense design work, "and I'm still finessing the plans. I made some changes today."

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Wilson started his design career racing cars and motorcycles in Europe, until, he joked, his wife Desiree beat him. She is the only female driver to win a Formula 1 race. Later, he became director of four of England's largest tracks. He then came to the United States in 1983 and helped build temporary street tracks. He has, to date, designed 26 tracks. The Miller Motorsports Park, he said, is by far his best work and the one of which he is most proud.

Miller will open the park to the public for a "sneak peek" on June 10. The first major event will be the Honda Summit of Speed AMA Superbike Championships from June 16-18. In the meantime, there will be smaller events, driving and riding school opportunities and the chance to drive on the Go-Kart track.

To reach the track, take the Tooele exit (No. 99) off I-80, head south on state road 36 to state road 138 (approximately 3.2 miles), then head west to Sheep Lane and turn south.

The park, with its 500-acre track and 23 buildings, is impossible to miss.