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After seven years of work, the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park has opened, and it's 3.15 miles of roller-coaster blacktop.
If you're an auto enthusiast of any stripe, you know about the National Corvette Museum. We know, "Sinkhole! Sinkhole! Sinkhole!" but this story isn't about a fissure in the ground. For 20 years, NCM has been a fixture in the Bowling Green, KY area. Located directly across the street from the Corvette factory, it houses historic 'Vettes, an interesting history of the brand and people behind it, serves as a kickoff point for plant tours and hosts tons of annual club gatherings. Between the museum and factory, this place is hallowed ground for Corvette acolytes. Now, it's been made even more compelling. After seven years of work, the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park has opened directly across the freeway, and it's 3.15 miles of roller-coaster blacktop.

The track has been a dream since 2007. The museum worked with local land owners and the city of Bowling Green to acquire 70 acres of property, then consulted with famed track designer Alan Wilson. Wilson surveyed the site and recommended that if the goal was a truly world-class course, another significant parcel of property would be needed. After a few more acquisitions, track designer Steve Crawford was hired to lay the course on a total of 184 acres. He incorporated famous corners from Circuit de la Sarthe and other courses as well as new unique, challenges for drivers. The asphalt was specified with a high-polymer content for durability, and ground was broken on July 13, 2013. Just 15 months later, the ribbon was cut during the Museum's 20th anniversary on September 16. Total investment: $20 million.Continue reading Driving the National Corvette Museum's new circuit [w/video]
Driving the National Corvette Museum's new circuit [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Sep 2014 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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