Test Track is an attraction located in [[Epcot]]. If your looking for the pavilion that houses the attraction see: [[Test Track (Pavilion)]].
==Attraction History==
The development of Test Track began in 1992, as a replacement for the World of Motion. General Motors had sponsored the World of Motion pavilion (which focused on the history of transportation) since 1982; however the pavilion's popularity had been waning. When GM’s sponsorship ran up in 1992 the company was unsure whether or not to renew <Ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=141 </ref>. In order to have more time to think about whether to renewmake their decision, GM decided to continue its sponsorship for another 12 months <ref name= "Martin"/>. At the end of this period, General Motors chose to renew their sponsorship, but with the understanding that a new attraction would need to be constructed <ref name= "Martin"/>.
When developing a new attraction for the pavilion, General Motors gave Disney Imagineers instructions to narrow the focus of the pavilion to the automobile (as opposed to all of transportation) <ref name= "Martin"/>. With this in mind, Disney Imagineers went back to an old idea. During the initial development of the World of Motion, in 1976, WED Engineers had gone to a GM testing ground in Milford, Michigan. While on a tour of the grounds, Imagineers got to see how prototype cars were tested<ref name= "Martin"/>. Taking their inspiration from this trip, Imagineering had originally planned on having a secondary attraction in the World of Motion pavilion that would have allowed guests to "test" futuristic automobiles<ref name= "Martin"/>. Although this idea was eventually dropped by 1979, 25 years later , Disney resurrected the concept <ref name= "Martin"/>. To this end, Imagineering pitched the idea of Test Track- an “E-ticket” attraction that would allow guests to experience the rigorous training that vehicles went through before they were brought to the public. Initially, the ride vehicles that guests rode in Test Track were to be "sled-like" <ref name= "Martin"/>. The , as development continued however, Disney decided that guests should ride in cars instead. By doing this, the experience would be as similar to the General Motors testing process as possible <ref name= "Martin"/>.
[[Image:Testtrackconcept.jpg|thumb|450px|Test Track concept art.]]
Although development on Test Track began in 1992, the World of Motion did not close until January 2, 1996. Following the closure, almost the entire pavilion was gutted and a new track was built<ref name= "Martin"/>. Unlike the World of Motion , which took place completely inside of the pavilion, Test Track featured an indoor and outdoor track. While the majority of the attraction took place inside, the “speed lap” portion of the ride brought Test Track would bring guests outside. The idea of an exterior track was originally planned for the Transportation pavilion as far back as 1978; however it never came to fruition<ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, in order to facilitate Test Track as , a third story was added to the pavilion <ref name= "Martin"/>.
On February 13, 1996 the "GM Test Track Preview Center" opened outside of the shuttered World of Motion pavilion <ref name= "Lou"> http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_tt2.htm </ref>. Here, guests could see concept art and models of the Test Track. At this time, a large mural painted by French artist Catherine Feff was also installed <ref name= "Lou"/>. Along with the 30 ft. tall 100 ft. wide mural, The GM Preview Center promised an opening day of May 1997 for Test Track <ref name= "Lou"/>.
Construction on Test Track’s interior track began on March 4, 1996 <ref name= "intercot"> http://www.intercot.com/edc/Motion/facts.html </ref>, with the exterior finished 25 days later <ref name= "Lou"/>. Although construction was continuing on schedule, problems with the attraction’s tires (which could not withstand the rigor of the ride) and the computer system, led to major setbacks <ref name= "Lou"/>. Despite this, on October 28, 1996, a single-car test run was held <ref name= "intercot"/>. On February 14, 1997 the show instillation was complete; however when May rolled around Test Track was still not open <ref name= "Lou"/>. In fact the only change that guests could see at the time, was that the "Opening in May 1997" sign was changed to "Opening Soon" <ref name= "Lou"/>.
By 1998 Test Track was still not open, but the concept art and videos shown in the Test Track Preview Center were updated <ref name= "Lou"/>. Guests also began to see Test Track merchandise available both at a cart outside of the pavilion, as well as throughout the rest of Epcot<ref name= "Lou"/>. Finally, in December of 1998 the ride was complete<ref name= "Lou"/>. At this time, the large mural on the outside of the building was removed, and soft openings for guests and cast members began <ref name= "intercot"/>. Although complete, Test Track broke down frequently, and took a long time to restart. This pushed back the opening of the attraction once again, this time to March of 1999 <ref name= "Lou"/>.
After three years of construction, Test Track was officially dedicated on March 17, 1999 <ref name= "Martin"/>. On hand for the event were NASCAR driver Richard Petty and supermodels Christine Brinkley, Angie Everhart, Carol Alt, and Frederique. Musical bands Earth, Wind and Fire and The Spinners played as fireworks flew over Epcot<ref name= "Lou"/>.