by Tim Gillie

STAFF WRITER

Miller Motorsports Park is wrapping up $1 million in track improvements and rushing to complete a new administrative building in time for the American Le Mans Series that returns to the track on May 16.

Many of the upgrades are safety changes being completed to follow recommendations made by the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme, the international sanctioning body for motorcycle racing, which sanctions the FIM Superbike World Championship, according to John Gardner, media manager for MMP.

Additional paved runoff areas are being added to the Tooele and Club House corners of the track, and the gravel traps at those turns have been enlarged. Barriers and tire walls at the exit of the final corner ("Release") and at the entrance to the front straightaway were realigned. There also was an extensive addition of curbing at several locations, and a new pit exit at the end of the west pit complex.

A new administrative building is also currently under construction. It's scheduled to be completed by May 1, said Gardner.

The new building will be three stories with a total of 8,000 square feet. Gardner estimated construction costs at $5 million. The administrative building will contain all the offices for MMP staff, except media relations, which will remain in the media center.

Current office space will be used for hospitality suites for corporate entertainment.

tgillie@tooeletranscript.com