Olen McGuire
05-09-2009, 06:24 AM
Bandimere Speedway is a quarter-mile dragstrip in Morrison, Colorado. It opened in 1958 and hosts the NHRA's Mile-High Nationals. The facility has a seating capacity of 23,500 spectators.
In 1958, John Bandimere Sr. purchased a parcel of land on the west side of Denver nestled up against the Hogback leading up to the Rocky Mountains. He and his family began the process of constructing a small but efficient drag strip that was to be used to augment their auto parts business. It also was the fulfillment of a dream of John Sr.'s to provide a safe environment for young people to learn about cars and race them off the streets.
Now, nearly 50 years later, the only thing at Bandimere Speedway that has not changed is the facility's location. Nearly every original building has been replaced including the original spark plug-replica timing tower and the event schedule has grown nearly 10 times its original size to host a variety of specialty events, including the NHRA POWERade Mopar Mile-High Nationals.
The most significant change to the facility was in 1988 when the Bandimere family made the decision to undergo a much-needed $4 million improvement project which included a year sabbatical on the national event circuit. The many facility improvements allowed for diversity of events, more spectator seating, better pit areas for race vehicles, improved spectator parking and access to all areas of the facility, and an unsurpassed venue for sponsor involvement with improved sign visibility. The ability to host larger spectator events added a tremendous amount of exposure opportunities for the facility and its sponsors. Seating capacity of the grandstands was increased from approximately 8,000 to over 23,500.
Article from Wikipedia.
Photo from Bandimere Speedway Photo Gallery:
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=39&pictureid=329
In 1958, John Bandimere Sr. purchased a parcel of land on the west side of Denver nestled up against the Hogback leading up to the Rocky Mountains. He and his family began the process of constructing a small but efficient drag strip that was to be used to augment their auto parts business. It also was the fulfillment of a dream of John Sr.'s to provide a safe environment for young people to learn about cars and race them off the streets.
Now, nearly 50 years later, the only thing at Bandimere Speedway that has not changed is the facility's location. Nearly every original building has been replaced including the original spark plug-replica timing tower and the event schedule has grown nearly 10 times its original size to host a variety of specialty events, including the NHRA POWERade Mopar Mile-High Nationals.
The most significant change to the facility was in 1988 when the Bandimere family made the decision to undergo a much-needed $4 million improvement project which included a year sabbatical on the national event circuit. The many facility improvements allowed for diversity of events, more spectator seating, better pit areas for race vehicles, improved spectator parking and access to all areas of the facility, and an unsurpassed venue for sponsor involvement with improved sign visibility. The ability to host larger spectator events added a tremendous amount of exposure opportunities for the facility and its sponsors. Seating capacity of the grandstands was increased from approximately 8,000 to over 23,500.
Article from Wikipedia.
Photo from Bandimere Speedway Photo Gallery:
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=39&pictureid=329