Exposition Park Turned Into Raceway

Normally peaceful Exposition Park, a haven for family outings, will be transformed into a NASCAR street course for qualifying races Saturday and Sunday and finals Monday. Cars in the Ford L.A. Street Race will roar past such places as the California Science Center at speeds of more than 160 mph.

About 10 million pounds of concrete, nine miles of steel cable and fencing, and tons of old tires were used to prepare the 1.4-mile, six-turn course, according to race organizers.

Cars will zoom through the park, tear along a curve by the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and blast past USC so fast that the 80-pound manhole covers in their path had to be welded shut. On Thursday, cell phones and two-way radios buzzed nonstop as organizers flattened out the last logistical loops and workers were closing the first of the city streets.

“Taking public streets and turning them into a raceway is no small task,” said Larry Collins, a raceway owner and course consultant. “It’s like a big jigsaw puzzle, with cranes to move the pieces. You don’t move 800 pounds of concrete at the snap of a finger.”

Collins said that eight months of planning and seven weeks of construction have gone into setting the stage for the competition.

A street course presents an extra challenge for racers. A typical NASCAR oval track is 65-75 feet wide. The street course is about 35 feet wide, with 42 cars on the track at the same time vying for position. And there’s no dirt or grass between the road and the concrete barrier as there is at a typical NASCAR track.

Unlike last year’s Los Angeles Grand Prix, all of the drivers are professional. “NASCAR drivers don’t understand the word ‘slow down.’ They go until the checkered flag comes down or until the car won’t go anymore,” Collins said. Promoters hope that this will translate into more spectators.

“This is going to be a family atmosphere. There’s space on the grass for blankets and barbecues,” said William Burke, creator of the race.

The street closures will convert the neighborhood into an obstacle course for others. USC students will lose some metered parking on Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Some businesses are hidden behind a 14-foot veil of chain-link fence.

“We have limited access to Exposition Boulevard. Since this is the second day of school, we

have a lot more people on campus than normal, buying books and things like that. But it’s not too bad,” said Brian D’Autremont, manager of Transportation Services at USC.

Business was slow Thursday and will probably be the same today, said Frank Lucero, manager of a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise and the Captain Burgers stand on Figueroa Street. “The street’s not completely closed, but it looks closed.

“We’re hoping the weekend makes up for these two days but the race is from 10 to 5. What happens after 5? The streets are still closed,” he said.

Race organizers had posted signs stating that the affected businesses were still open during construction. “Except for some rubber on the pavement, you won’t even know there was a race,” said John Clinard, a public affairs manager with Ford Motor Co.

Practice and qualifying rounds Saturday begin at 10 a.m. and racing is at 3 p.m. Sunday practice and qualifying rounds begin at 9 a.m., with racing at 4 p.m.

Monday practice begins at 8 a.m., with racing at noon.

Tickets: $5-$17 Saturday; $5-$20 Sunday; $10-$30 Monday. Two- and three-day passes are also available. (310) 444-5544 or https://www.lastreetrace.com for information; (800) 690-RACE for tickets.

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NASCAR Course

Street Closures for Los Angeles street race

* Eastbound Exposition Boulevard, from Vermont Ave. to Figueroa Street, is closed until Tuesday at 10 a.m.

* Westbound Exposition Boulevard from Vermont Avenue to Figueroa Street, closes today at 10 a.m.; reopens Tuesday at 10 a.m.

* Figueroa Street, from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Jefferson Boulevard, closes today at 10 a.m.; reopens Tuesday at 10 a.m.