DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For more than 50 years, Daytona Beach has been the mecca of motorsports racing due to the vision of "Big" Bill France. Where there was nothing but open fields and saw grass, he envisioned huge crowds cheering the fastest cars and drivers racing at a spectacular world-class facility. Through the France family’s hard work, the “Great American Race,” the Daytona 500, put Daytona Beach on the global sports map.
This week has witnessed another first for the family – the introduction of the International Motorsports Center, an eight-story headquarters building under construction directly across from Daytona International Speedway, designed to carry on the great heritage of motorsports that is synonymous with the France Family and Daytona Beach. The International Motorsports Center, scheduled to be completed in late 2009, will serve as the world headquarters for International Speedway Corp. (ISC), NASCAR and Grand-Am Racing Association.
"I am proud of the legacy started by my grandfather and I share in his vision of making Daytona Beach the motorsports capital of the world," said ISC CEO and NASCAR Vice Chairwoman, Lesa France Kennedy. "Building the International Motorsports Center ensures that the companies at the forefront of global motorsports will stay in Daytona Beach for the foreseeable future."
France Kennedy continued, "In addition to the incredible archive of motorsports memorabilia that will be displayed throughout the building is the collective knowledge and expertise that will be working at the International Motorsports Center. No single location in the country will have the significant resources we will have in Daytona Beach. I am sure we will grow motorsports to new heights."
The International Motorsports Center was designed inside and out to showcase motorsports. The shape of the building is curved to represent the tri-oval of Daytona International Speedway. The columns represent the rhythm of lights that circle the track. The awning on top of the building was designed to resemble the profile of an aerodynamic spoiler. The overall look of the building has the appearance of motion. "Equally important to the exterior look of the building was the need for the interior to display not only a historical context of motorsports but also the elements that we are accustomed to seeing in the sport today," added France Kennedy.
From an environmental standpoint, the International Motorsports Center will be the cornerstone of ISC, NASCAR and Grand-Am’s commitment to a healthy environment. It is anticipated that the headquarters building will be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit advocacy group that issues LEED ratings and certifications.
"The decision to develop a ‘Green’ building is an investment in capital, environmental and human assets," said France Kennedy. "Our headquarters building will use 15 to 20 percent less energy than a traditional office building of the same size. The windows, with their special coatings, will transmit about 75 percent less heat compared to clear glass. In addition, the headquarters building will be composed of materials with 10 to 20 percent recycled content as well as with materials that are produced or grown regionally. Lastly, an open work plan design will bring exterior views to 90 percent of employee work spaces."
