CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY: NEW AT FONTANA: THE SKY'S THE LIMIT.

Byline: Doug Padilla Staff Writer

On a clear day, the new skybox suites at California Speedway offer the most scenic view in Fontana.

Come race day, though, the scene to watch is the one that extends no further than the track's backstretch.

For the first time since California Speedway opened three years ago, suite-holders will get a view of the entire racetrack, as the facility's latest expansion phase is nearly complete.

A total of 28 skybox suites above the grandstand and two additional elevator towers were built and are on schedule to be ready for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and CART season finales the last weekend of October.

The $6.5 million expansion, which began immediately after the NASCAR Winston Cup race May 2, is modest considering the grandstand extends nearly a mile down the track's frontstretch. By conservative estimate, there is room for at least another 70 skybox suites.

But suites will be supplied only if there is a demand.

``Twenty-eight is a pretty hefty number to add to the luxury-suite marketplace,'' California Speedway marketing director Craig Rust said. ``But we're confident with the growth of NASCAR and the strength of motorsports as a whole.''

While all 71 of the terrace suites on the California Speedway infield have been occupied for every race weekend thus far, a few obstacles stand in the way of keeping suites at 100 percent of capacity in the future.

Rust said that an undetermined number of skybox suites are available for the Oct. 30-31 race weekend. Since some terrace-suite holders transferred their leases to skybox suites, terrace suites were available, but the last of those was taken Tuesday.

The awkward timing of the expansion means that more suites have been added just as original three-year suite leases are coming to term. Ultimately, the speedway not only needs 28 new parties interested in a suite, it will need replacements for all parties that elect not to renew their original leases.

The suites come at a hefty price: $70,000 per season for a super skybox (49-person capacity), $50,000 for a skybox (30-person capacity) or $45,000 for a terrace suite.

Rust is optimistic that all suites will be occupied on the last weekend of October, but he isn't certain.

``The goal is a sellout, but we're dealing with a time limit,'' Rust said. ``We didn't start the expansion until after the Winston Cup race.''

Another difficulty Rust cited is that most businesses already have budgeted money for the year and might be hardpressed to come up with a minimum of $45,000 at such a late date.

Rust said the suites are more geared to businesses than to the the hardcore race fan who wants to spend a casual day at the track in a comfortable setting.

``They're used for prospective clients, current clients and as an incentive for current employees,'' Rust said. ``Because they are not inexpensive, to get a guy that will pay $70,000 because he's a race fan typically doesn't happen.''

Kirk Van Matre, president of Van Matre Lumber in Fontana, is in his third year of leasing a suite and just had his lease transferred from a terrace suite to one on the skybox level.

``We are motor-racing fans and the location is very attractive for us,'' said Van Matre, who uses his suite to treat clients. ``There is no doubt that (the skybox) is the best place to spectate from.''