Bill Scott, owner of Summit Point Raceway dies at age 71
Do you remember the person who built and maintained your playgrounds? Most people do not. But if your have been involved with some aspect of road racing at Summit Point Raceway, you probably had met the owner Bill Scott. Mr Scott took over the existing facility and expanded it far beyond what I could imagine.
From the original circuit where I had the pleasure of learning to race in Regional SCCA Events, Bill Scott made numerous improvements for both the driver’s and spectators. How many of you remember when the only shower on the premises was an outside shower? Damn it was cold too! Luckily, improved facilities were added throughout the complex. In addition to improvements in expanding run-off areas, new pavement and curbing, orchard of gourmet apples was started next to the 3000+ ft front stretch of the original course. I recall attending a Lobster Dinner held in the apple packing house as part of a SVRA Vintage Racing weekend.
Being located in the Mid-Atlantic region, there are only so many “good weather” weekends that are scheduled to host events. With this dilemma, Bill Scott found the only way to expand his business was to build more racetracks! On the same location. And he started it off with the Jefferson Circuit. The Jefferson Circuit is smaller than the original course and designed with the capability to be run in either direction. As part of the Jefferson Circuit, a structure was added that would work as a classroom, registration for events, and restrooms. Now Summit Point could accomodate two events simultaneously. But that was not yet enough to satisfy the demand for racing events.
Next was the Shenandoah Circuit. It was designed to be run in a number of different configurations. One of the more interesting characteristics of the Shenandoah Circuit is the portion modeled after a portion of the Nurburgring and it is said that this section is dimensionally accurate. Now with three tracks available, Summit Point Motorsports Park has sufficient demand to host more amateur racing groups in the relatively densely populated MidAtlantic Region.
From a business standpoint, it was genius! But who would have guessed that there would be so much demand for amateur road racing facilities? Summit Point Motorsports Park has hosted Professional Road Racing events in the past such as IMSA, Trans Am, etc, but it’s main focus is providing a safe racing experience to the growing amateur road racing ranks. SCCA, NASA, Vintage, track daygroups, various car clubs, motorcycle and karting sanctioning bodies all are clients of Summit Point Motorsports Park.
Currently, the Gasoline Alley project is underway which will provide facilities for racing and automotive related businesses. Think of it as a racing industrial park complex. Bill Scott worked with West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin to attract businesses to Gasoline Alley.
In addition to being a great businessman, Bill Scott was also an accomplished race driver and used those talents to teach others to race. This teaching talent was also used in many of his car control and anti-terrorist driving classes that were offered through BSR.
But most importantly, he gave many of us a place to race.
God Speed Bill Scott.
Link to Summit Point Motorsports Park
http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/
Link to newspaper article
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=235643&format=html
