Have you heard of Bert’s Sponser Speedway? If so, you’re probably wondering how this track ranks amongst the other major racing circuits in North America. Many people have, including myself, and it’s not a difficult question to answer. Here’s the deal: Bert’s Sponser Speedway (named after the eponymous owner and driver) is an independent race track that was originally based in Florida, USA. Since its inception in 1952, it has gained a reputation for hosting some of the best racing events in the country, which is currently supported by tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. If you’re a fan of stock car racing, especially during the summer, then Bert’s is a must-see because, quite frankly, it’s one of the best-known race tracks in North America.
As impressive as Bert’s history is, it still has a way to go before it can challenge the existing stock car racing circuits in terms of prestige. It doesn’t help that many of its races are relatively unknown by the general public, especially outside of North America. In fact, the majority of its races take place on Wednesday and Saturday nights during the warm summer months, which means that many people probably haven’t heard of it. Even then, it’s still considered one of the top-tier racetracks in the country because of its position within the motorsport community. As a result, if you’re searching for an up-to-date race schedule to attend, you’ll probably end up at Bert’s website because it’s the only place that offers a comprehensive guide to the schedule of events. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how Bert’s Sponser Speedway stacks up against the competition.
History
As you might have guessed from its name, Bert’s Sponser Speedway was originally developed as a means of generating revenue for the company that owned the land it was built on. It was the brainchild of Jack Smith, an entrepreneur who saw a way to make a profit from the automotive industry. In the 1940s and 1950s, Smith sponsored numerous races at various tracks across the country. These were typically short-lived events that took place on the weekends. The races at these tracks were usually for local fans and had small purses, with some exceptions being the Indianapolis 500 and others with larger purses. The idea here was to create an event that would bring in the crowds and boost the landowner’s revenue.
In order to continue expanding and enhancing its operations, in 1952, Smith purchased land in Florida and began building what would become one of the most iconic racing venues in the country. He promptly named the project “Bert’s”, which is a play on his last name and the company that he worked for at the time. The finished product was a 1.25-mile track that could hold around 25,000 spectators and featured nine turns. The grandstands wrapped around the entire track, bringing the spectator areas close to 200 degrees of viewing pleasure.
Bert’s opened its doors to the public in December of that year and, as advertised, the crowds have never been sparse. Since then, it has continued to grow and evolve, adding additional turns, lighting, and bringing in some of the biggest names in motor racing. The track has even played host to international races, like the Canada Gold Cup and the Brazilian Grand Prix. Not to mention the numerous NASCAR series that have passed through there. In general, though, Bert’s is most known for its weekly motorsport events, which are mostly populated by amateur drivers. This is mainly because it provides them with a way of developing their skills and putting them into practice against other competitors. The competition is sometimes fierce, with some drivers even vowing to give their cars a bath before every race just to increase the level of carnage on the track.
Location
Bert’s is located in Tampa, Florida, which is in the southeastern part of the country. The track is actually located within the city limits but has jurisdiction over a large area, extending eastward into Brevard County. If you’re traveling through the area, you’ll most likely pass through the gates at some point. It’s easily accessible from both I-75 and I-4, the two major highways that run through the area. If you’re coming from the north or south, the trip will only take about 20 minutes. From the west, it’s a bit more complicated because you have to navigate through the city first.
Structure
Bert’s is a 1.25-mile track with a lot of turns, most notably the 12-turn “Corkscrew”, which is a 90-degree left-hand hairpin turn. There is also an 11th turn, which is another hairpin turn that comes before the exit of the main oval. These are the only two turns that are worth mentioning, as the rest of the track is relatively flat. The surface is asphalt and is designed to make for fast and furious action. In fact, the whole track is banked, which means that it’s sloped at some point. This is done to provide some additional “grip” for the cars as they go around the track. The track is quite long and, as a result, it doesn’t get quite as hot as some other tracks. This is probably because there is less surface area for the air to flow over, which keeps the temperature down. Despite these factors, it’s still quite warm at times and can get quite humid, which might not be desirable for certain drivers.
Independence
Bert’s tracks are generally run independently of any one company or organization. The owners pay for all of the track’s expenses, including grandstand construction, utilities, and security. The tracks also organize their own schedules, with the final determination of the race dates and times resting with the owner. This means that the dates and times of the races can change from one year to the next without any input from outside parties. For instance, the track could decide to move a race to avoid clashing with other sporting events or family vacations. This is one of the reasons why it’s considered one of the most prestigious tracks in North America. The owners clearly don’t care much for the traditions of other tracks and have used this facility to develop their own identity, establishing it as the go-to spot for motorsport events, regardless of the series.
Facilities
Bert’s has upgraded and evolved over the years, adding additional amenities, like bathrooms, food vendors, water dispensers, and more. The paddock area is also quite large and there are a number of large, comfortable suites that are available for teams and drivers, which might make for a good nights sleep if you’re planning on staying the night before a race. The track also has a large indoor arena, which can either be used for concerts or other special events. The arena features a grandstand that lines the entire backside of the building. There is also an outdoor amphitheater, which is an excellent place to catch a concert, sporting event, or community gathering. In addition to these facilities, Bert’s also has an outdoor pool, which is open to the public and offers a place to relax and refresh oneself before and after the races. It’s one of the best things about Bert’s, since this is a naturally beautiful area, with many trees and plants, making for a great picture opportunity.
As impressive as Bert’s is, it still has a way to go before it can challenge the existing racing circuits in terms of prestige. Many people still associate NASCAR with the “big three” tracks, namely: Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These are the three venues that many people think of when they hear “major race track” and, unfortunately, it shows in the ratings. Bert’s has only been around for almost 70 years but has built a reputation for itself as one of the premier venues in North America. Given how much it has to offer, this shouldn’t be a hard category for it to overcome.
Attendance
Each week, Bert’s holds four or more amateur and/or professional races. It’s quite a competitive scene, with many drivers vowing to go around the track as many times as they can before the end of the season. This is because there is often a point system at place and the driver with the most points at the end wins. The average attendance for a race is around 4,000, although there have been weeks, like last year, when the average dropped to just 1,500. This is mainly because there is little to no marketing or TV coverage for these races. Outside of North America, many people have never even heard of Bert’s, which puts it at a huge disadvantage, especially considering how many other major venues there are. The good news is that, generally, the crowds are quite favorable and it’s a great place for families, with lots of grassy areas, making for a more relaxed atmosphere. The bad news is that unless you’re from North America, you’re probably not going to know much about it.