Utah Motorsports Campus
Location
Grantsville, Utah, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
Utah Motorsports Campus - Grantsville, Utah, USA
Huge high-desert motorsport complex near Salt Lake City - known for its 4.5-mile full course, long straight and distinctive corner sequences
When was the track built?
Utah businessman and motorsport enthusiast Larry H. Miller originally planned a private circuit where he could drive cars from his collection. The idea grew into a major public venue designed by American circuit architect Alan Wilson.
Construction began in 2005, and the facility opened as Miller Motorsports Park in 2006. It later became Utah Motorsports Campus and was briefly branded Burt Brothers Motorpark during 2025. Following a change of ownership, the Utah Motorsports Campus name returned in 2026.
When was its first race?
The inaugural professional weekend was an AMA Superbike meeting from 16 to 18 June 2006. Ben Spies won Saturday's headline race on a Suzuki, while Jake Zemke won Sunday's race for Honda.
Major sports-car racing arrived the following month when Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro won the first Utah Grand Prix in an Audi R10 TDI.
What's the circuit like?
- Very long full lap: Drivers must remember more than seven kilometres of corners, braking points and changing track conditions.
- Multiple configurations: The East and West circuits can operate independently, while the Outer Course removes the slower infield sections.
- Fast main straight: Powerful cars and motorcycles can approach very high speeds before braking for the opening corner.
- Subtle elevation changes: The venue appears flat, but small crests, banking and blind exits can make the correct line difficult to judge.
The full course rewards concentration and consistency. The Outer Course is faster and simpler to learn, but includes demanding sections such as Black Rock Hairpin and the rapid Attitudes sequence.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Full Course LMP2: 2:21.749 - Timo Bernhard, Porsche RS Spyder Evo, 2007.
- Full Course Formula Atlantic: 2:29.564 - Carl Skerlong, Swift 016.a, 2008.
- Full Course Superbike: 2:46.083 - Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2008.
- Outer Course LMP1: 1:32.815 - Simon Pagenaud, Acura ARX-02a, 2009.
- Outer Course World Superbike: 1:48.045 - Carlos Checa, Ducati 1098R, 2010.
- Outer Course MotoAmerica: 1:49.200 - Cameron Beaubier, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2018.
The full, outer, east and west layouts are different lengths, so their lap times cannot be compared directly.
Why is it famous?
The circuit attracted several major championships during its early years, including the American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am, World Superbike, AMA Superbike, MotoAmerica and Pirelli World Challenge.
Its unusually long full course and colourful corner names also make it memorable. Sections include Sunset Bend, Black Rock Hairpin, Agony and Ecstasy, the three Attitudes and Tooele Turn.
What events are held here?
The modern calendar focuses on national and regional motorsport. Regular activities include NASA Utah racing, Utah Superbike, SCCA competition, endurance racing, drifting, karting and high-performance driver education.
Public track sessions, roll racing, driving experiences and private testing also use the different circuit configurations throughout the season.
Why go?
The scale of the venue allows visitors to see several types of motorsport in one place. The 511-acre complex includes the road course, a kart circuit, skidpad, off-road short course, rock-crawling area and rallycross facilities.
The campus is approximately 35 minutes from Salt Lake City and provides garages, hospitality areas, camping options and extensive spectator space for selected events.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight and Turn 1: Best for starts, finishes, maximum speed and overtaking under heavy braking.
- Black Rock Hairpin: A slow corner where braking control and acceleration are easy to compare.
- The Attitudes: Watch competitors change direction quickly through one of the circuit's signature sequences.
- Clubhouse Corner: A useful viewing area close to the main facilities and the final part of the lap.
The layout, entrances and public viewing areas change between race weekends, track days and private events. Check the organiser's spectator information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Utah Motorsports Campus (Tooele, Utah)
Utah Motorsports Campus is west of Salt Lake City near Tooele and Grantsville. Driving or hiring a car is the easiest way to arrive, although limited weekday public transport serves the wider Tooele Valley.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Salt Lake City or the airport: travel west on I-80 and use Exit 99 for Highway 36. Continue towards Tooele Valley, turn onto SR-138 and then Sheep Lane for the circuit.
- Navigation: enter 512 Sheep Lane, Grantsville, UT 84074 rather than simply searching for Tooele.
- Event traffic: allow extra time on busy mornings. Large events can create queues on Sheep Lane close to the entrance.
- Parking: follow the instructions supplied with your event ticket or competitor information, as different paddocks and parking areas may be used.
Tip: If you are bringing an RV, trailer or race transporter, check your event's paddock instructions before arriving rather than relying only on your navigation app.
Bus & public transport
Public transport is possible, but it needs more planning than driving and is most useful on weekdays.
- Salt Lake City → Tooele: UTA Route 451 links Salt Lake with Tooele. The Tooele-Salt Lake F453 Flex route also operates limited weekday journeys.
- Tooele Valley: UTA On Demand Zone 541 serves Tooele, Erda, Stansbury Park and Grantsville.
- Operating days: the Tooele On Demand service currently runs Monday-Friday, generally from 7am to 7pm.
- For the circuit: check the UTA trip planner before travelling to see whether your exact circuit journey can be booked. Do not assume there will be a special race-day bus.
Most major motorsport events take place at weekends, when Tooele public transport is much more limited, so a car or pre-arranged ride is normally easier.
Salt Lake City Airport transfers
- Rental car: the simplest option. Salt Lake City International Airport has several rental-car companies operating directly from the airport complex.
- Taxi or rideshare: a direct road journey is possible, but arrange your return from the circuit in advance if you are not hiring a car.
- Public transport: the airport is connected to Salt Lake City by the UTA TRAX Green Line, but reaching the circuit then requires further connections towards Tooele.
Train
- Salt Lake City Station: Amtrak's California Zephyr serves Salt Lake City on its route between Chicago, Denver, Reno and the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Station → circuit: there is no passenger railway station at the track, so continue by rental car or other pre-arranged road transport.
- For race weekends: train travel works best if you are staying in Salt Lake City or Tooele and have organised a car for the final journey.
Staying nearby
- Tooele: a convenient base with hotels, restaurants, shops and fuel within an easy drive of the circuit.
- Official hotel partner: the circuit currently lists Comfort Inn & Suites on SR-36, around 10 minutes from the track.
- Camping: Utah Motorsports Campus offers reservable RV and camping spaces at the facility.
- Competitors: day garages can also be reserved through the circuit.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: travelling by car is generally the simplest way to avoid complicated public-transport connections.
- Before travelling: contact the circuit or your event organiser to confirm accessible parking, entrances and spectator facilities for your particular event.
- Public transport: UTA provides accessible services, but check that the required Tooele Valley connections operate at the times you need.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take I-80 west, use Exit 99 towards Highway 36 and continue to Sheep Lane.
- Flying? Use Salt Lake City International Airport and hire a car for the easiest journey.
- Without a car? UTA can get you into the Tooele Valley on weekdays, but check every connection carefully before relying on it for an event.
Check Utah Motorsports Campus and UTA shortly before travelling, as event entrances, paddock parking and public-transport schedules can change.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Utah Motorsports Campus (Grantsville, Utah)
Whether you’re here for car racing, motorcycle action, a track day or karting, Utah Motorsports Campus sits in Utah’s wide-open desert west of Salt Lake City - with museums, the Great Salt Lake, mountain scenery and even the Bonneville Salt Flats within reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- UMC Kart Center: Stay at the venue and try outdoor rental karting. Public sessions are available on selected days, with age and height requirements worth checking before you arrive.
- Tooele Valley Museum: A free museum on a former railway site covering local mining, industry, railways and military history, with historic equipment outside.
- Natural History Museum of Utah: Head into Salt Lake City for dinosaurs, fossils, geology and hands-on exhibits explaining Utah's extraordinary natural history.
- Utah's Hogle Zoo: A straightforward family day with more than 150 animal species in a hillside setting close to central Salt Lake City.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Tooele Valley Museum: The easiest nearby cultural stop and particularly interesting if you want to understand the mining and railway industries that shaped western Utah.
- Natural History Museum of Utah: One of the best indoor options in the region, especially for anyone interested in dinosaurs, prehistoric landscapes or geology.
- Temple Square: Explore one of Salt Lake City's best-known historic districts and its visitor facilities. Restoration work has affected parts of the site, so check current access before visiting.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Tooele: The simplest choice after a long track day, with casual restaurants, cafés and supermarkets within a short drive of the circuit.
- Downtown Salt Lake City: Head into the city if you want a much broader range of restaurants, breweries and evening entertainment.
- Utah fry sauce: Try the local-style mixture commonly served with fries and burgers - an easy regional speciality for first-time visitors.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Great Salt Lake State Park: Take in lake and mountain views, walk towards Black Rock or stop for birdwatching beside one of North America's most unusual lakes.
- Antelope Island State Park: Hike, cycle or drive through open landscapes where free-ranging bison, pronghorn and other wildlife live beside the Great Salt Lake.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Salt Lake City: Combine Temple Square with the Natural History Museum, downtown sights and a meal in the city for an easy full-day outing.
- Antelope Island: Allow several hours for scenic drives, wildlife watching and short hikes, particularly around sunset when the lake views can be spectacular.
- Bonneville Salt Flats: Motorsport fans can head west to the famous land-speed racing landscape near Wendover. Access onto the salt depends on weather, surface conditions and scheduled events.
Good to know when visiting Utah Motorsports Campus
- Check which activity you need: The 511-acre campus includes the road course, karting, off-road areas, skidpad and other facilities, so confirm your event entrance and paddock location.
- Not every day is a spectator event: Private rentals, driving programs and club activities share the calendar with public race meetings.
- Prepare for desert conditions: Shade can be limited and the air is dry, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and layers for temperature changes.
- Check Bonneville before driving west: The salt surface can close seasonally or have restricted access during land-speed events, so check current BLM information first.
Circuit access, karting sessions, event schedules, museum hours and Great Salt Lake or Bonneville conditions can change - check live information before travelling.