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Plans for 200 Acre Motorsports Park near WDW going ahead


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Two years after Walt Disney World shuttered its racetrack, a new plan is coming together for a new Orlando Motorsports Park and driving experience in Osceola County.

Miami racing instructor and businessman Andy Bardar is now seeking a noise variance for the attraction, which is planned on 217 vacant acres at the southwest corner of U.S. 192 and State Road 429. That’s just a few miles west of Disney World and across 429 from the under-construction Margaritaville developments.

Bardar has been guarded about releasing details on the project, but his request for a noise variance says he’s planning three courses — one for carts, a “fun” driving course for the general public, and a longer private club course for members and professionals. Bardar is owner of the HPDE (High Performance Driving Experience) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Commercial retail is planned along U.S. 192, with stores focused on automobile accessories, clothing and collectibles, food and beverage, a possible museum and driving instruction.

The members-only area would include indoor vehicle storage, vehicle maintenance, a clubhouse and lodging units for members, with access from Funie Steed Road.

The road courses are being designed by German firm Tilke Engineering, considered a leader in design and construction of road courses.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway closed in 2015 after a man was killed during a crash there. At the time, it was rumored that a Petty-affiliated project might reopen somewhere in Orlando. But Jeff Dennison, a spokesman for the Petty companies, said Monday the new plan in Osceola “doesn’t involve the Richard Petty Driving Experience.”

In 2013, the Osceola Board of County Commissioners approved a zoning amendment to rezone the property as a commercial tourist area.

The noise variance request for Orlando Motorsports Park claims that even while vacant, highway noise in the area exceeds the county’s limits.

“We are seeking to limit noise leaving the site from the road course operation” by moving the club course east a little and building walls to contain noise on site, the variance application states.

The variance says one concern is impact on the Encantada short-term rental development adjacent to the site.

“It is important to note that although the vehicles are high performance, they are not modified beyond standard factory installed equipment,” according to the application.

The racecourse hours would be 9 a.m.-10 p.m., the applications says.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-bz-orlando-motorsports-park-20170717-story.html

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Sigh, I could hear, and not appreciate, the noise from the old Rich. Petty Experience while camped at the Fort.  Nothing like the sound of high performance cars to enhance the tranquil "wilderness" experience.  This is not a put down on racing or race cars, but rather where the tracks are placed relative to a camping area.

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37 minutes ago, PghBob said:

Sigh, I could hear, and not appreciate, the noise from the old Rich. Petty Experience while camped at the Fort.  Nothing like the sound of high performance cars to enhance the tranquil "wilderness" experience.  This is not a put down on racing or race cars, but rather where the tracks are placed relative to a camping area.

Fortunately, this location is plenty far enough away from Fort Wilderness so it will not be heard.

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