Utah Motorsports Campus aka Miller Motosports Park

Utah Motorsports Campus, formerly known as Miller Motorsports Park, is the only permanent racing venue in Tooele County, in the US state of Utah.

Built as a playground for the local racing enthusiasts

This unusual place was built and opened in 2006 by Larry H. Smitt, a local businessman, and owner of the NBA team Utah Jazz. He invested around $100 million in what supposed to be a playground for him and other fellow vintage cars collectors and motorsports enthusiasts. The result was the first-class racecourse created by South African designer Alan Wilson, husband of Desire Wilson, one of only five women to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.

The circuit was built thanks to business and motorsports enthusiast Larry H. Miller

Four layouts of the track

Until the 2014 extension of Thunderhill Raceway park, this circuit was the longest in the US. The counterclockwise run track, built at the flatland surrounded by mountains, is a real gem and can be used in four different layouts. The main layout is so called 7.22 km long Full Course with 23 turns.The lap time record (2:18.128) was set by Timo Bernhard in 2007, driving an LMP2.

Map: Utah Motorsports Campus track layout

The other three layouts are:
– Outer Course: 4.876 km with 14 turns
– East Course: 3.52 km with 12 turns
– West Course: 3.52 km with 13 turns

Off-road sections and the first-class facilities

Besides the asphalt track, there are also off-road sections, with dirt and rocks surface. Karting track is 1.43 km long and can be reconfigured to a super moto track with dirt sections. Utah Motorsports Campus has a Grandstand with a capacity of 8.000 but there are also other spots with prefabricated stands around the track. Due to the fact that the circuit is built on flat terrain, almost all action on the track could be seen from the grandstand.

Lucas Oil Off Road Series event

Facilities are also the first-class. Paddock contains 220 team garages, there are also 27 Grand Prix garages located along the pit lane. The medical facility also has a helicopter pad, while the exclusive Club House is another state-of-the-art buildings.

Finally, the icing on the cake was Larry H. Miller Total Performance Museum with a nice collection of cars, especially Fords and Shelby Cobras. Unfortunately, the bad news are that the museum is no longer located at Utah Motorsports circuit.

Change of ownership – MMP becomes UMC

In May of 2015 was announced that Miller and his group of companies will not renew the lease on the land. A couple of months later, a venue was sold to Mitime Investment and Development Group for $20 million what was far below the real value. That’s why the sale was vacated by the court and the bidding for the purchase of the property will be reopened.

World Superbike Championship race also was held at Miller Motorsports Park

Since February of 2016, Mitime took over the management of the facility on behalf of Tooele County under the current name – Utah Motorsports Campus. However, it is still uncertain how the long-term future will look like.

Host of many prominent racing series

Since its opening, Utah Motorsports Campus attracted various racing series, including both cars and motorcycles. American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, Pirelli World Challenge, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, as well as Superbike World Championship races were held at Utah Motorsports circuit.

Pirelli World Challenge race at UMC

Besides the motorsports activities, this extraordinary venue is used for other sports, like bicycle races. Utah Motorsports Campus is also the home of the Ford Performance Racing School. The track is opened most of the year for the track days, various testing sessions, and corporate events.

Getting there and accommodation

The nearest international airport is in Salt Lake City, around 50 km to the northeast from the circuit, and offers a plenty of good connections with the biggest cities in the US, as well to Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

Aerial view of the circuit

The accommodation capacities in the city of Tooele and Utah Motorsports Campus vicinity are somewhat limited but at the pretty high level.

Address: 512 Sheep Ln, Tooele, UT 84074, USA
Phone: +1 435 277 8000
Website: utahmotorsportscampus.com

Photo: hotrod.com wikimedia.org asphaltandrubber.com world-challenge.com