Milwaukee Mile Infield Road Course Rebuilt in One Day

Milwaukee, Wis. (October 24, 2006) –  Trucks unloaded 1,500 tons of asphalt, and paving crews quickly went to work in the blustery, fall chill at The Milwaukee Mile on Monday to install the top coat of asphalt on the historic speedway’s infield road course.

 


The 0.8-mile road course section inside the one-mile oval was completely rebuilt and widened to 36 feet and paved with a base coat of asphalt in July, 2004.  This is the latest improvement project in what has amounted to over $23 million in improvements to the historic speedway in the last four years, including the erection of a completely new grandstand, the installation of the SAFER Barrier System, the construction of the Froedtert Infield Care and Milton Peck Media Center building, a new scoring pylon, new pit wall, paddock area paving and improved fencing throughout the facility.


 


A special mix of 600 tons of asphalt containing Rosphault RX was applied in the higher-load portions of the road course, including the tricky hair-pin turn inset of turn two of America’s Legendary Oval.   Rosphault RX is a proven super polymeric additive that is mixed with asphalt to provide a superior wearing surface that will not rut or shove that has been applied to other speedways and airport taxiways.


 


To properly install the top coat, a 1.75-inch thick layer of pavement was placed the entire width of the track continuously with no cold joints by using tandem pavers and rollers by Payne & Dolan Inc.


 


”Within the nearly 90 days of track use at The Mile this past summer was our first SCCA-sanctioned event over Labor Day weekend,” commented Milwaukee Mile Chief Operating Officer Gary Girard.  “With the addition of this top coat of asphalt and Rosphalt RX, SCCA and many other clubs and enthusiasts will get to race on a brand new racing surface at The Milwaukee Mile in a safe and competitive environment for many years to come.”


 


The project was part of a $1.2 million improvement plan for 2006 which also included the installation of the SAFER Barrier System in March.  The timing of the paving project was scheduled as to not to interfere with the increased track activity through the summer season.


 


“We are fortunate to have the State of Wisconsin support for these improvements, including the involvement of Wisconsin State Fair Park Engineer Jeff Jacobson,” Girard said.


 


“We are actively pursuing companies who will work with us to install concrete curbing and finish landscape to complete the job either yet this fall or in early spring.”


 


The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest active motor speedway in the world, dating back to 1903.  Milwaukee Mile Marketing LLC became the track promoter on January 1, 2006 and will continue to produce world-class auto racing in 2007 and beyond with NASCAR, IndyCar Series, ARCA and other well known sanctioning bodies to provide the highest level of auto racing entertainment.


 


To find out more about The Milwaukee Mile, visit the speedway’s website, www.milwaukeemile.com.