What tracks do you regularly run?, And, where would you consider going? Options

[trackbird]

I'm looking for a list of tracks that you could or do regularly run and a list of tracks that you might consider traveling to (stuff that is "just close enough" that you'd go run there). I'm not looking for track comments (unless it is horrible, the surface is trashed, etc), just a list of where our members go to race, drive, HPDE, etc.

Where do you guys go to play? Post your tracks.

[firehawkclone]

i have not done anything in my car yet,but i love driving the tow truck (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) around buttonwillow raceway park and willowsprings.
(notting like a 6 wheel drift (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) )

my helmat is in the mail right now (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif) so maybe the race gods will allow me to run my first OT at BRP on the 9/10 in HPDE 1 :drive:

i should be flaging to (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[DanKeen]

Many, many parking lots... oh, wait, you mean real tracks? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

WGI - only one I've been to, but it's absolutely incredible. Some of the elevation changes are amazing in person, and going flat through the esses is sooo much fun. But the drop to turn 1 got me almost every time. I guess I'm just a slow learner. And I need more power in 7. Oh, yeah, sorry - no comments.

[rmackintosh]

Favorite Track = Laguna Seca
Best Track for me = Sears Point
Track I Suck at = Thunderhill

Tracks I would like to go to:

Portland = Rose Cup
Buttonwillow = hate heat though...

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[roy]

Just in case some come to Europe , especially Germany.
Hockenheim Ring
Nordschleife
Nurburgring GP
Lausitz Ring
Schotten Ring

[KeithO]

I run tracks based on distance and based on where the points races are.

I have run:
Beaver Run (I can sleep in my own bed. Easy track that you can find weaknesses with your car and address them)
Nelsons Ledges (cheap and very fast)
Mid Ohio (Nice track, but I have never felt completely comfortable there)
Lime Rock (was OK, but not worth the trip)
Nashville Superspeedway Road Course (was OK, but not worth the trip)
Watkins Glen (Wow, it rocks. What can I say.)

I will be running Putnam Park in two weeks. Based on the in-car videos I've seen, it looks pretty straightforward with lost of run off room. I will probably like it though this will be a difficult trip since the first lap I will turn there will be in qualifying.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Tracks I goto:

Watkins Glen, NY (Favorite, Awesome)
Summit Point, WV (Most familiar with, lots of runoffs)
Jefferson Point, WV (Small, Hard on brakes, tires)
Limerock, CT (Very Fun, Poor runoffs)
Pocono Long, PA (Fast, not too technical)

Tracks I'd like to goto:

Beaverun, PA
Mid-Ohio
Virginia International
Shenendoah, WV (Soon to be completed)

Dream tracks based on distance:

Laguna Seca
Road Atlanta
Nurburgring

I have videos from all the ones I've been to if any of you'd like an e-mail.

[trackbird]

Just as I suspected, we're quite spread out (and then theres Roy....). I was trying to find a track that showed up often on the list (common track?). The motive behind this was the thought of an FRRAX.com "track day" or something similar in the spring. We are getting enough members to consider renting a track for a day or an afternoon for a reasonable price (if enough people can make it). I thought it might be fun to do an HPDE type day or something similar (set up an autocross in the parking lot? or run it solo 1 style if anyone wanted to compete). If I can/could cross reference a track that many people would attend and that could be rented for a reasonable price (my mother in law works at Summmit Point, I may have a connection there), it could happen.

So, I was looking for something within towing distance for most of our members. A large portion of our members? Something like that. Granted, there are many people who didn't respond (470+ members, and 15 answers). I'm not sure it's possible, but I'm not sure that it isn't.

Keep the track info coming (I'll start a seperate thread with a poll of tracks in the future). Or, eventually (probably not the first year, if it happens at all) consider an "east coast/west coast" format, do 2 events. Since I doubt that Randy or Julie will tow to IRP in Indiana or Nelson Ledges, etc. But, maybe one in Arizona and Virginia (for example)? or something. It is still in the infant stages of being an interesting idea.

Right now I'm just thinking out loud. And it may not prove to be practical. As I said, a seperate thread on that (then a poll as a 3rd thread???).

So, how far would you go?

Part II

http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?act=ST&...&f=1&t=2437&hl=

[sgarnett]

Spa in Belgium. Definitely. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[LT4Firehawk]

Hallett would be a great track for an frrax track day. It's centrally located and the rates are reasonable. The fact that it's local for me has nothing to do with my suggestion of course. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Anyway, tracks that I've run:
Hallett (excellent track, very challenging but also very safe. Good for beginners or experts)
Memphis (ok, but somewhat basic)
Atlanta Motor Speedway (fun, mainly because of banking)

Tracks that I want to run:
Road Atlanta (yes, I lived there for three years but never made it to an event)
Laguna Seca
Watkins Glen

I'd definitely consider a trip to either coast for an frrax track day as long as I had enough notice to plan ahead for it.

[mitchntx]

I would think Hallet would be somewhat central to many of those in the mid portion of the US.

I recall asking a while back how far folks typically towed to an event. It seems that 4-500 miles is considered the outside of the envelope.

A 500 mile radius of Tulsa, OK would get most, if not all of Texas, Lousiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinios, Missouri and Kansas.

A stretch would be Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Alalbama

Hallet has recently been resurfaced and is a very technical track, worthy of most skill levels. However, it is remote. They have to pipe daylight into that place ....

[trackbird]

Tires...check
Torque wrench....check
Air bottle....check
Sunscreen.....check
gatoraid....check
bottled daylight.....check

Ready to race!

846 miles from Central Ohio. hmmm....

Expensive.... That price is for 5 cars....

http://www.hallettracing.com/trackrental.html

[trackbird]

IRP in Indiana? That's 850 from Dallas, 360 from Detroit? I'm still looking....

[KeithO]

Nelson's Ledges is very fast (favors V8 cars) and cheap...

[trackbird]

Here's a page of most of the courses in the country.

http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/RoadCourses.php

[mitchntx]

Expensive.... That price is for 5 cars....

I was thinking about this, actually

http://www.hallettracing.com/hsts.html

[slowTA]

I've never been out on a 'real' track, but since I'm in Jersey I've thought about joining NASA at Poconno, Lime Rock, Watkins Glenn, and Nazareth. I might go south to Summit or VIR once I get comfortable at speed.

[LT4Firehawk]

Don't pay any attention to the pricing on the website for private days, it's not accurate. We could do a weekday track rental with corner workers at key corners and limited to 20 cars for $90/person. One of our local groups has done this several times over the last couple of years, and it's a real blast. We run four run groups with 5 cars in a group and get as much track time as you can stand in a day.

Another option is a weekend rental, which is a lot more expensive. Typical cost is around $3500-$4000/day, but there aren't really any limits on the number of participants. Also, that includes full corner worker staff, on-site ambulance, etc. Of course, for that price you really need a minimum of 30+ participants to make it econimically feasable.

Finally, there is the High Speed Touring option. If we let them know ahead of time that we are coming and have enough people show up, they might break us out into a seperate group. It really depends on how many other HST participants show up, but they usually try very hard to keep everybody happy. I've dealt with them several times and could work with them on setting up an event if we have enough people interested.

[GaryK]

Tracks I normally go/went to:

Summit Point
VIR
Carolina Motorsports Park

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Expensive.... That price is for 5 cars....

http://www.hallettracing.com/trackrental.html

Man, if I could get rent a track here in the Northeast with 4 of my other buddies for only $1,000, I'd be going all the time. I know for the BMW club around here, for 50-75 cars, they charge about $7,000. A day is a day though, right?

[tonycook]

I usually run at:
Talladega Gran Prix Racetrack -- short and flat, very little to hit, inexpensive.
Barber Motorsports -- beautiful track, "technical track", expensive to rent, probably worth it.
Road Atlanta -- nice track, some fast corners and a long back straight.

[KeithO]

Wow. Barber is an interesting one. Didn't think of that!

[GM01SS]

Just my $05 worth...........First and foremost, I would be willing to go pretty much anywhere ( within reason!) from Upstate NY. If you are looking for a technical and very fun track for the F-body crowd, Watkins Glen is your track. I have run there 56 track days (yes I luv the track!)

Little info on WGI........approx. 3.4 miles long ,11 turns and over a 100 feet of elavation change!

Ok I wwill stop now........anyway Watkins Glen should be considered for a East coast event. I would also be willing to help if needed. ( I live about 2hours for the track)

Gary

[trackbird]

I've been "over the wall" at the Glen. It's beautiful up there. We took the SVRA/Vintage/AIX/V8 American Supercar car there in '96.

I'd think VIR or Summit Point would be more central to the east coast. But, I'm still in the learning phase, gathering info. Once we get a solid list of tracks, we'll do a poll as to where everyone/anyone/the majority would like to go. Then, take the top few and do it again. Then decide if the whole thing is crazy or not.

I'm still in the "gathering info" stage. If we can prove that we can do it, we'll try to get it done.

[Absolut Speed]

I've only run Road America, and enjoyed it immensely. I'd go 300-400 miles for an event, especially if I could get some on track tutoring. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Ojustracing]

Tracks I have run at
Beave Run
Road America
Hallet
Pike's Peak
Infinieon
Vegas
Publeo
Topeka

Im kinda partial to Beave Run learned how to drive fast there, fun track.
But I want a another shot at Road America.
Something out that way or south of me would work. I will travelto get there. John

[94bird]

Kevin, are you thinking about an event something like this ( http://www.fbody-event.org/ ) but without the drag racing? This internet group event has been going on for about 10 years now I think and I've been to a couple of them. It's mainly alternated between Memphis and Indy with occasional forays to St. Louis. IRP looks like a pretty good track but I never drove it at the event.

I've driven Memphis and even though it's pretty centrally located for a lot of people, the track is very basic and boring, as well as having no runoff room in certain areas. One turn is called Grant's Tomb for a reason.

I would vote for VIR. I've never heard a bad thing about it. Call that the East Coast event and have something more like at Mid America or Hallett another time.

[trackbird]

I'm on their mailing list. I was thinking almost exactly that (depending on possible attendance) without the drag racing.

VIR is absolutely beautiful. I was there 3 weeks ago. The bathrooms in the pit area must have cost more than my house to build. All wood (tongue and groove) for the stalls, walls, etc. Showers on the side.

I ran the parade laps on the track (my friend wanted his wife to see the course) and the track is tricky, but excellent. Some of the apexes are not where you expect. Not the first few laps anyway. And, the oak tree turn is very tight. It's a neat track. That would be a fun choice as well.

Ken Rahaim (on cc.com and other places) organizes it. I was thinking potentially of something similar, if not this year, eventually (if it grows).

I've been to IRP. It is not my first choice. Narrow, really tight getting back onto the drag strip (walls are really close). Looks like a good place to tear up a few cars.

[SRZ]

Just in case some come to Europe , especially Germany.
Hockenheim Ring
Nordschleife
Nurburgring GP
Lausitz Ring
Schotten Ring

I'm w/ Roy on this one. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

My question for you stateside guys is. What are the requirements to run on all the tracks the majority of you listed? Is it pay and go like us here or do you need special training, certain license, safety gear, and huge track fees etc? Just curious because when I do return I want to try just about everyone one of them.

Thanks!

[KeithO]

Pass a safety inspection, bring a reasonably current helmut then "pay and go".

[Dave B]

Tracks I run at

Toronto Motorsport Park ( previously known as Cayuga) 2 miles, and flat. 2 reasonably long straights connected by one very fast and very wide 120 degree corner. Rest is reasonably slower. Quite close to Buffalo NY

Dunneville Autodrome Flat boring and slow , Really close to Buffalo but not really recommended

Shannonville Motorsport Park 3 different configurations with some really interesting stuff but flat. Most corners are 3 rd gear. Directly across Lake Ontario from Rochester.

Mosport Driver Development track. Slow but lots of elevation changes. Same track as used by the Bridgestone Racing Academy school which runs F 2000 cars. I serious pucker point if running counterclockwise that really separates people. 1 hour east of Toronto.

Mosport Grand Prix track. Spectacular and spectacularly fast. Most corners are 4 th gear with elevation changes in them. Tons of pucker factor even for relatively slow cars like ours. Is likely too fast now for F1 or Cart although ALMS cars do run there. Unfortunately this track can bite hard if you screw up. People who run this track and Watkins Glen generally like both. Some prefer the Glen, some prefer Mosport.

ST Jovite at Mt Tremblant, 80 min North of Montreal . Pretty track with lots of elevation changes but hard to rent and hard to get to for me


Tracks I would like to run

Watkin's Glen

Mid ohio

Road America ( although that would be a long haul for me)

[PF Flyer]

My 'Home' track is Summit Point. Being centrally located to a number of fine venues, I'd also recommend my second home,VIR, especially to run the 'Full Course'.

Watkins Glen is fabulous.
Mid-Ohio is very technical.
Lime Rock is a blast.
... and soon there will be a new course outside of Richmond, VA, and hopefully Rausch Creek in Pa.

I've not been to Beaver Run, yet, but hear it's fun, I'll do Road Atlanta next season and maybe someday, Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

[Crazy Canuck]

Not that many of you know these tracks:

rr/ax:
Sanair
St-Eustache
Shannonville
Mt-Tremblant
TMP
PMG

drag:
Napierville
Sanair
St-Thomas