Altamont Motorsports Park is 40-Years New; ''Life Begins at 40!'' Anniversary Celebration is July 22-23.

TRACY, Calif. -- July 22 marks the 40th anniversary of the Grand Opening of "Altamont Speedway" located between Tracy and Livermore, California. On Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23, Altamont Motorsports Park will celebrate the legacy of that opening with a "Life Begins at 40!" anniversary celebration. Altamont Motorsports Park opened on May 6, 2006, as a subsidiary of Riverside Motorsports Park LLC, and launched the 2006 race season as a renewed, refurbished, NASCAR(R)-sanctioned racing venue for race fans throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and the California Central Valley. At the anniversary racing events this weekend, all fans are invited to experience the "40 years new" Altamont Motorsports Park at the 1966 grand opening ticket price of $5.00.

The History

"Altamont" racing history in the Tracy-Livermore area actually began on a 3/8-mile dirt oval track in the mid 1930s, and this track operated until the outbreak of World War II. In 1963, the racetrack was resurrected and converted to a 1/2-mile dirt oval track. For the grand opening in 1966, however, Altamont Speedway showcased the 1/2-mile and 1/4-mile paved ovals for which the facility has become famous. Dubbed over the years the "Fastest Half-Mile in the West," Altamont's 1/2-mile is today one of only two 1/2-mile paved oval race tracks in California, and it is the largest paved oval track between Los Angeles and the Oregon border. A third 1/8-mile track was added to the Altamont facility in 1971, but this was later abandoned in 1982.

Opening day in 1966 featured the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midgets and "Modified Hardtops" (later called "Late Model Stock Cars"). There were 82 midgets and 35 hardtops entered for the events. Since that day, the track has hosted more than 500 NASCAR-sanctioned events, as well as thousands of sprint car and midget races. Altamont Motorsports Park continues to provide world-class motorsports excitement through various events featuring the range of cars and motorcycles that make up the diversified motorsports landscape in California.

"The history of racing at Altamont is long and rich," commented Riverside Motorsports Park and Altamont Motorsports Park CEO John Condren. "Notable heroes of racing have competed here -- people like Mario Andretti, A J Foyt, Ray Elder, Parnelli Jones, Hershel McGriff, Ron Hornaday, and Jack McCoy. More recently, drivers like Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch have driven Altamont's 12- to 14-degree banked corners. The history here is a legacy that all of us in motorsports hold in respect. The legacy also reinforces our commitment to renew and maintain Altamont Motorsports Park as a cornerstone of racing in Northern and Central California."

No serious look at the history of Altamont (variously named over the years as Altamont Speedway, Altamont Raceway, Altamont Raceway Park and now Altamont Motorsports Park) can overlook December 6, 1969 -- the day on which the hillside slopes at Altamont became the last-minute change of venue for a Rolling Stones concert, when a previously negotiated contract locating the event at the newly opened Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma fell apart. Perhaps what some call the one chapter of infamy in the facility's history, the event still draws people to Altamont today -- people who come just to see the place where 300,000 people gathered to hear some of the greatest rock groups of the era. The nostalgia continues.

Events July 22 and 23

On Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, it's all about racing. Saturday's events feature Altamont's popular Spec Motor Modified and Buzz Bomb divisions, an open Figure 8 competition, and a special motorcycle stunt show. Gates open at 2:00 p.m., with start of Practice. Qualifying is at 4:00, and Opening Ceremonies are at 5:00 p.m. See http://www.altamontracing.com/events_july22.pdf for the full Saturday event schedule.

On Sunday, July 23, it's Tracy Dodge Day. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. with the start of practice. Qualifying is at 1:00 p.m., and opening ceremonies are at 2:00 p.m. Fans can thrill to the excitement of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing and watch Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Mini Super Trucks and the featured 50-lap race of the Tracy Dodge Western Late Models on the historic, but new, paved ovals. See http://www.altamontracing.com/events_july23.pdf for the Sunday schedule.

All weekend tickets are $5.00, and specially designed anniversary posters and T-shirts will provide some take-home nostalgia.

About Riverside Motorsports Park and Altamont Motorsports Park

Riverside Motorsports Park, LLC (www.RMPracing.com) is dedicated to the advancement of quality motorsports in Northern and Central California through the development of fan- and family-friendly facilities centered around professionally managed and marketed, competitive motorsports events. Riverside Motorsports Park has proposed the development in Merced County of a 1200-acre, world-class motorsports park that will include eight different tracks for multiple professional and club racing events. In early 2006, Riverside Motorsports Park acquired Altamont Raceway, and established Altamont Motorsports Park, LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary. Altamont Motorsports Park (www.AltamontRacing.com) opened for the 2006 season as an upgraded, refurbished, NASCAR-sanctioned racing facility providing motorsports entertainment that includes the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series. A variety of racing events take place on the facility's 1/2- and 1/4-mile paved ovals and the new 1.1-mile road course, drifting course, and Figure-8 course.

Riverside Motorsports Park, the Riverside Motorsports Park logo and the Altamont Motorsports Park logo are trademarks of Riverside Motorsports Park, LLC in the United States.