BIR pos new track

[thor]

Went over the WOW show on sat. and asked the fellow working the BIR booth what had been decided about the location of the start/finish line. After 10 minutes of head/ass scratching I was told that it is right where it was last year(oh yea, at the 40th anniversary event they couldn't decide where it was at). What a clusterfuck! They have destroyed the only real track that we have locally. Fuck em!

Thor

[Steve]

I hope we can run the old track...

[Tom Fuehrer]

Went over the WOW show on sat. and asked the fellow working the BIR booth what had been decided about the location of the start/finish line. After 10 minutes of head/ass scratching I was told that it is right where it was last year(oh yea, at the 40th anniversary event they couldn't decide where it was at). What a clusterfuck! They have destroyed the only real track that we have locally. Fuck em!

Thor

Barry, who did you talk to at the booth?

Where would YOU like to see the start/finish line?

Tom

[Steve]

Tom,
I have nothing against the new track but I think the real concern is running the old configuration is a thing of the past. It is a part of history and the option to run it should still exist. No matter what they do to the new track it will never measure up to the old configuration which was run on by the greats of the sport.

Is it New and Old or Long and Short?

[thor]

Where would YOU like to see the start/finish line?
Over on the dragstrip would be best. If you are really honest with yourself you know that the new layout was NOT built with racing in mind. As a drivers ed track it's probably just wonderfull. If the start/finish line is on the pit straight and you start the race the stupid "got-ya" left hand turn is going to become a bottle neck that separates the first few cars from the pack.(And thats assuming a clean start not several cars trying to occupy the same space) Hell by the time that the pack gets free of that turn the leaders will be over on old turn 3 or 4. At the end of the race and drivers are running for position, who's going to lift first will determine the winner and after they have run to the finish line they will not even attempt to make that turn, they will just run off. Now I know that the possibility of a large race group here is remote, and that might be the tracks saving grace but if you have run with any region that has 30/40 car fields you know that overly competitive/rough driving has become the norm not the exception. Even at the amateur level nobody is giving an inch and throw some winnings in the mix and if you are faint of heart it might not be the best place to find out how competitive you are.
As far as where the s/f line should be. IMO the best place would be somewhere between old 5/7. Maybe there is a corner station there that could control the start/finish. It would not be the ideal solution but better than what is now being proposed.

Barry

[LES]

Sure am Glad our start finish line is in the same spot. The start is about 200ft from turn 10 and the finish is 1320 ft further then that..

ok im leaving now.
HI STEVE! :wave:

[Macs Stang]

Sure am Glad our tsrt finish line is in the same spot. The start is about 200ft from turn 10 and the finish is 1320 ft further then that..

ok im leaving now.
HI STEVE! :wave:

[Tom Fuehrer]

Barry, the new track was definitely created with racing in mind. Believe me they could have spent a lot less money if they just wanted to create a track for the school and for lapping. Also, attempting to bring the 3 mile course up to FIA standards would be hugely expensive. The FIA standards need to be met to bring any major sanctioning body up to the track.

Turn 12 (the hard left) isn’t as sharp as it seems after you have done some laps there. It certainly isn’t as tight as Turn 3D at Blackhawk and that track sees as much racing as any track in the country.

I agree that having a tight turn right after a starting line will create a bottleneck and potential for contact. That is why I recommended using the Turn 1 Flag Stand as the starting line for the races last year. We found the sight line to and from the Turn 1 stand isn’t too good though.

Your idea about putting the start line between 6 and 7 deserves some attention. It’s near the finish line, it’s within sight of both race control and the new grandstand and it has good sight line up-track. I like that a lot.

Other stuff – I think they are starting to refer to the original course as the “Classic” course and the new course as the “Club” course. If the Donnybrooke name was owned by the track I think they would use that name when referring to the original course.

The original course will still be used for a few schools and open track events. I’m sure the track would like to have the Club course and Drag race area active as much as possible though.

The SCCA race (on the new course) in August will be the first SCCA sanctioned race at BIR since 2001 – we are very excited about that.

Thanks for the input!

Tom

[Tom Fuehrer]

I did confirm with Gary Curtis that the school will use both courses for their school.

Also, Gary is the guy to talk to about any track concerns or ideas. He is the main Road Race / School person at BIR. His number is 866-511-7606 or email: gary@birperformance.com

He is alway eager to talk to people about BIR.

He has several improvements in the works for the school and the track!

Tom

[KickAssFlash]

If I wanted to do an open track event this year, what would it entail?

[RayK]

It would be good if the school schedule notes which course is going to be used. Classic or Club.

[cra_fizzer]

I believe Jed is calling them Donnybrooke(3 mile) and Competition(2.5 mile).

And as Tom said, PLEASE get a hold of Gary Curtis. He will gladly answer all of your questions.

I know for the CRA(Central Roadracing Association), the plan is to move the start to between T13 and T1. Last year it was by the crossover road before T2 and it didn't work out so well IMO. I got into a 120MPH 300' tankslapper coming out of T2 because the start was too tight and I got pushed off the edge of the track.

[cra_fizzer]

And as far as the new course not being built with racing in mind, I beg to differ.

I LOVE the new course. Far more technical and challenging. T12 rocks!! Great place to out brake someone. You are always doing something with no place to rest.

The 3 mile course is boring(again relative here) compared to the new course, I am pinned from T10 all the way to T3. True it took a bit before I could do this, but now it is second nature.

So to call the new course a POS seems a bit uncalled for. Everyone I have talked to either car or bike has had nothing but praise for it.

[Steve]

If I wanted to do an open track event this year, what would it entail?

You+Car+Snell rated helmet+$$=Is all. Contact Todd and get on his mailing list.

[96HawkCnvt]

You+Car+Snell rated helmet+$$=Is all. Contact Todd and get on his mailing list.

I've got some great helmets in stock too!

Todd