Area 27: Discover Your Life On Track

Discover Your Life On Track
Information Kit
2016
What is Area 27?
Located in the sunny south Okanagan valley, Area 27 is a private motorsport club
with a 4.9 kilometer driver’s circuit designed by world champion racecar driver
Jacques Villeneuve. The track is created to FIA standards, and is engineered by
NASCAR professional driver Trevor Seibert of Lake Excavating. It’s the largest
circuit west of Ontario, and the only private motorsport club in the west with a
circuit of its size. Membership is capped at 300, with members able to book time
on the track – similar to booking a tee time at a golf course.
In October 2015, the group signed a 99-year lease with the Osoyoos Indian Band
for 227 acres on reserve land east of Oliver, British Columbia. Construction of the
track began in December and is expected to be completed late summer 2016.
The initial phase of the project includes circuit completion and office build for
member services, a karting track, and a driving academy open to the public.
Phases two and three include a clubhouse, onsite vehicle facilities, and trackside
business opportunities.
Limited memberships are available now.
Quick Facts: Area 27
Established: 2015
Location: Oliver, British Columbia
Total Acreage: 227 acres leased from the Osoyoos Indian Band
Ownership: South Okanagan Motorsports Corporation
Structure: private motorsport club, with public access days and hosted events
Key Team Members
Bill Drossos – co-founder, president
David King – co-founder
Jacques Villeneuve – co-founder
Trevor Seibert – co-founder, builder
Founding Members
Les Cool
Delta, British Columbia
Daryl Carter
Penticton, British Columbia
Robert Sinneave
Kelowna, British Columbia
Gord Lindsay
Penticton, British Columbia
Robbie Dickson
Vancouver, British Columbia
Paul Neider
Kelowna, British Columbia
Brett Knelson
Vancouver, British Columbia
Circuit Details
Corners
16
Full Length
3.0 miles | 4.83 kilometers
Track Width
40 feet | 12.2 meters
Longest Straight
0.5 miles | 800 meters
Elevation Changes 357 feet | 109 meters in total, cumulative per one lap
Carousel Banking
11 degrees | 20 percent at turn 7
Area 27: a brief history
From the late 1980s when two aspiring racecar drivers met at Canada’s top
driving academy and dreamed of the big leagues to almost 30 years later and the
discovery of an ideal site to build a motorsport circuit and facility, Area 27 is the
culmination of a shared effort to breathe life into a vision on track.
In 1986, Bill Drossos enrolled in Canada’s pre-eminent driving academy run by
Richard Spenard. There he met Jacques Villenueve, and together they learned
from the drivers’ coach who had been friends with and a teammate of Villeneuve’s
father, Gilles. While at the racing school Drossos met David King, and through the
Player’s GM Series he met Trevor Seibert. These four, with friendships forged on
the track, form the foundation of the South Okanagan Motorsports Corporation
and together drive the vision of Area 27.
In 2012 Drossos identified acreage off Nk’Mip Road (outside of Oliver, British
Columbia) he thought would suit his lifelong dream of building a racetrack. He
was returning from coaching kids’ skiing at local ski hill Mt Baldy, and made note
of the location to follow up. Drossos learned the land belonged to the Osoyoos
Indian Band, and in a subsequent meeting with Chief Clarence Louie another
expanse of land was suggested. It was a better match, so Drossos proceeded to
float the idea by his friends now that he had a potential site for a racetrack.
Drossos brought together the friends from his early racing days. First was
Villeneuve, for his experience behind the wheel and knowledge of tracks from
around the world. Next was King, with his experience in real estate organizations
and international business acumen. After a few phone calls, Seibert joined to
share his track knowledge and experience as a professional builder. These four
are the founders of Area 27 and South Okanagan Motorsports Corporation.
To move forward with opening a motorsport club the founders sought a group to
become Founding Members, like minded business people and motorsport
enthusiasts who could help drive the project to completion. Drossos’ friend Daryl
Carter and Les Cool were the first to join, followed by Gordon Lindsay, Robert
Sinneave, Robbie Dickson, Paul Neider, and Brett Knelson. By March of 2015,
the group of founding members was complete and the project began in earnest.
While the club was attracting members, the founders were working to secure a
lease with the Osoyoos Indian Band (OiB). By October 2015, the group
announced a land agreement between the OiB, the federal government, and
South Okangan Motorsports Corp. for 227 acres off Black Sage Road near Oliver,
British Columbia. Ground was officially broken in December 2015, and major
earthworks commenced February 2016. Construction of the track is anticipated to
complete by late summer 2016 with the circuit availble to members.
The south Okanagan Valley, a location known for producing world-class wines, is
now also home to the largest motorsport circuit in Canada west of Ontario.
About Area 27
Endless blue skies and a warm desert climate make the south Okanagan Valley
the ideal location for Area 27, Canada’s premiere private motorsport club with a
4.9-kilometer driving circuit designed by world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Engineering and construction of the Area 27 track is by Trevor Seibert of Lake
Excavating, making it the only Canadian circuit to be designed, engineered, and
constructed by motorsport professionals. This unique advantage has allowed for
track evolution throughout the design and construction process, as designer and
engineer both have extensive experience behind the wheel.
Club members learn driving skills at the Area 27 Driving Academy, guided by
driver’s coach Richard Spenard. Membership covers the entire family
(dependents aged 16 to 25) and offers at least 15 track days per month including
weekends, with guest privileges and access to the karting facility. Member-only
events provide drivers an opportunity to test their abilities and benchmark their
improved skills.
Area 27 offers viewing access to the public by admission, on paths that safely
circle the track and lead to spectator areas. The clubhouse will feature a member
exclusive lounge with food and beverage facilities available for public enjoyment.
As the club develops, Area 27 will host motorsport events open to the public.
Discover your life on track.
Area 27: membership & access
Private Membership
The club offers three types of memberships: charter, performance, and corporate.
Each offers members a minimum of 15 track days per month, access to the
karting facilities for those over the age of eight, preferred rates at the driving
academy, and guest privileges for family members between 16 and 25 years.
During course construction, private membership rates range from $35,000 to
$45,000 with yearly dues of $3,000 to $4,000. Corporate membership offers
special event hosting for up to 60 people, four times per year, with 15 guests on
track per month. Memberships range from $105,000 to $135,000 with yearly dues
of $7,000 to $10,000 and include up to three individuals as designates.
Public Access
The grounds at Area 27 are designed to accommodate public viewing of the track
from designated areas and will be open to the public during select events by
admission. Throughout the year, the club will host specified open days when nonmembers can purchase spectator passes for events and competitions.
Driving Academy
Area 27’s driving academy is under the direction of celebrated driver coach
Richard Spenard. The academy features one on one coaching from motorsport
professionals, and will be available to both members and the public.
Karting
Scheduled for the end of phase one, the Karting Centre features proper race karts
on a scaled-down version of the track at Area 27. This will provide the ultimate in
a wheel-to-wheel racing experience from novice to seasoned kart driver.
Instructional days will also be available.
Area 27 Contacts
Membership Sales & Corporate Sponsorships
Bill Drossos | bdrossos@area27.ca | 250-809-5802
Media & Communications
Jeannette Montgomery | jeannette@area27.ca | 250-408-8025
Physical Location
Off Nk’Mip Road
Oliver, British Columbia
(due to construction, site visits are by appointment only)
Mailing & Billing Address
c/o South Okanagan Motorsports Corporation
113 – 437 Martin Street, Suite 312, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 5L1
Social Media
Twitter & Instagram: @area27okanagan
Facebook: area27okanagan
Website: www.area27.ca