I love that Salinas got Bakersfield. Can only see good coming out of that. But I don't think Bakersfield would be a good location for the Winternats. If Pomona was closed by whomever wants it closed, NHRA would be wise to move the race to a large city location. Phoenix, Las Vegas would both be withing driving range from LA. Could easily fly into both cities. Lots of hotels, etc etc. Early Feb weather is good for both locations. Just my 2 cents.
I don,t quite know why Bakersfield is not a good choice for major NHRA events of any size.
#1 - Famoso is already a AAA (SCAC sponsored) track with NHRA having the master lease on the property.
#2 The
rumor about this deal also is that the side opposite the pits which has already been groomed for Motorhomes will be expanded to take in the area that is a feedlot (double existing size) and the property behind will be purchased or leased for more run off.
#3 I-5 & Hwy 99 meet right at Bakersfield and are the largest - busiest highways in the western U.S. (maybe the whole U.S.). Bakersfield is approximately 3 times the size of Gainsville which does OK and Meadows field has Major airlines as well as connecting flights.
#4 Phoenix is 6.5 hours away and Vegas is 5 - LAX to Bakersfield is 115 miles (about 2.5 Hours in traffic).
#5 Part of this deal is supposed to be working with the Bakersfield Hotel / Motel / resturant associations.
#6 Famoso is 90 miles from Fresno which is about 550,000 people with lots of hotels - resturants - etc..
#7 You can get back to Bakersfield from Famoso in 20 Minutes.
#8 Those oil Pumps - grapes - pastachios - oranges and other produce could care less if you ran cars 24/7 - 365 (except on Leap Year it's 366).
The last I heard from a vendor to the track is that a "Meeting of the financial minds" has not come together yet, but it sounds Win - Win to me if it can happen.
P.S. Another rumor is that Tony Stewart wants to put a Joint Venture Eldora type (copy) dirt track on the grounds.