StanO
08-06-2010, 07:01 PM
Hey gang,
FINALLY got back to the track the past coupla weeks after taking about a year and a half off (life and other sh*t got in the way).
Anyway, went up to BeaveRun outside of Pittsburgh, PA 2 weeks ago, and left the van and racebike with friends in the Raleigh/Durhan area. Flew back up yesterday to pick them up and drive to VIR for the weekend. BeaveRun was just okay - lots of armco barriers. Probably the best thing: an official track shirt that says "You're not a real racer until you've lapped the Beav."
Now VIR on the other hand . . . wow, what a cool place. I would rank VIR up there with Barber as far as an overall experience. Barber might have nicer immenities (100% paved paddock, bathrooms, museum, sculptures, landscaping), but VIR has SO much going on: a go-kart track, a skeet shooting area, and 2 completely different tracks that can host simultaneous events.
I'm with AHRMA here this weekend, and we're running the south track (also known as The Shrew - "driven by many, tamed by few"). At the same time, we could see bikes from WERA running the national endurance series on the north track (same as used by the AMA). The south track is a better fit for our vintage bikes - shorter and a little less technical -but still challenging.
Had a good day of practice, and looking forward to racing tomorrow. To whet your appetitie, here's some pics of a little "mini-corkscrew" we have to deal with. Fun times!
Will post up a full weekend report shortly.
Yep, those are condos in the background. You can live at the track!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11237.jpg
Leading into these turns.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11239.jpg
At the bottom - you come TOWARD the camera.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11245.jpg
This place has it all - elevation, tight turns, long straightaway, landscaped grounds - I'm definately coming back!
FINALLY got back to the track the past coupla weeks after taking about a year and a half off (life and other sh*t got in the way).
Anyway, went up to BeaveRun outside of Pittsburgh, PA 2 weeks ago, and left the van and racebike with friends in the Raleigh/Durhan area. Flew back up yesterday to pick them up and drive to VIR for the weekend. BeaveRun was just okay - lots of armco barriers. Probably the best thing: an official track shirt that says "You're not a real racer until you've lapped the Beav."
Now VIR on the other hand . . . wow, what a cool place. I would rank VIR up there with Barber as far as an overall experience. Barber might have nicer immenities (100% paved paddock, bathrooms, museum, sculptures, landscaping), but VIR has SO much going on: a go-kart track, a skeet shooting area, and 2 completely different tracks that can host simultaneous events.
I'm with AHRMA here this weekend, and we're running the south track (also known as The Shrew - "driven by many, tamed by few"). At the same time, we could see bikes from WERA running the national endurance series on the north track (same as used by the AMA). The south track is a better fit for our vintage bikes - shorter and a little less technical -but still challenging.
Had a good day of practice, and looking forward to racing tomorrow. To whet your appetitie, here's some pics of a little "mini-corkscrew" we have to deal with. Fun times!
Will post up a full weekend report shortly.
Yep, those are condos in the background. You can live at the track!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11237.jpg
Leading into these turns.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11239.jpg
At the bottom - you come TOWARD the camera.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/2010%20AHRMA%20VIR/SDC11245.jpg
This place has it all - elevation, tight turns, long straightaway, landscaped grounds - I'm definately coming back!