NASCAR's Jeff Gordon aiding plan for Ontario racetrack
Fort Erie facility would open in 2011
When golfing legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer finish their playing days, they often become involved in golf course design.
It looks like NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon is following a similar path in auto racing.
The four-time Sprint Cup Series champion is involved with a consortium planning to build a $172 million, 623-acre racetrack in Fort Erie, Ont.
John Bickford, vice president and general manager of Jeff Gordon Inc., verified to The Buffalo News on Wednesday that Gordon is involved in the project. Bickford — who is also Gordon’s stepfather — stated via e-mail that while there is a letter of understanding between the parties, there is no signed agreement at this time.
Gordon was not available to comment.
Last October, officials held a news conference in Fort Erie announcing plans to build a 65,000- seat facility located less than four miles from the border, backed by a Kuwaiti financial company called Bayt Al Mal Investments. The track would be located just off the Queen Elizabeth Way, between Bowen and Gilmore roads, officials said.
“Jeff Gordon is a world-acclaimed driver and he also has Jeff Gordon [Inc.],” said Jim Thibert, general manager of the Fort Erie Economic Development & Tourism Corp. “It would be huge for this project.”
Thibert said Gordon and his representatives have been involved with the project for about two years. “His people from Jeff Gordon [Inc.] have been in Fort Erie,” Thibert said.
Gordon’s name was linked to the project in a story in last month’s inaugural issue of “Professional Motorsport Circuit.” The article was written by Azhar Mohammad, who is the executive director of Emirates Consulting, a Toronto-based subsidiary of Bayt Al Mal Investments. Thibert called Mohammad “the official spokesman” of the venture.
The article bills the track as a “Jeff Gordon Signature Speedway” and states that the complex will feature “Jeff Gordon Driving Schools and Driver Experience Institute.” The Jeff Gordon Racing School is currently offered at various tracks.
The article also states that the complex will include a one-mile oval track as well as a 2.6- mile road course, 80 luxury suites, a hotel, 8,000-seat amphitheater and campgrounds. It says the facility is set to open for racing in the summer of 2011.
“We are at a pretty advanced stage—a lot of money has been spent to get to this point,” said Thibert. “From my knowledge of the process and conversations with the director of planning, there’s not a whole lot left.”
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