What are the 10 most important tracks in motorsports?

"ncasolowork2" (ncasolowork2) 04/28/2014 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

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Everyone has their own ideas of what's important and why. I'm curious what 10 tracks make your list and why? Here's mine in no particular order.

Daytona International Speedway - The Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24

Indianapolis Motor Speedway - The Indy 500

Mount Panorama - The Bathurst 1000

Le Mans - The 24 hours of Le Mans

The Nurburgring - Public access to a race track

Circuit de Spa Francorchamps - It is just an epic track hosting a number of prominant events. I believe it is also one of the 4 oldest tracks on the F1 schedule.

Monza - Audi apparently tests there for high speed and F1 has special aero bits built just for the speed at this place. Also another one of the 4 oldest tracks on the F1 schedule. Plus Ferrari is a big deal in the world of motorsports in general and this is sort of their home. I realize that's technically not THE Ferrari test track, but it is currently THE Ferrari race track as far as I'm concerned.

The Top Gear Test Track - while there isn't any actual racing done there that track has probably exposed more people to the idea of motorsports in the last 10 years than any other track... in the world.

Silverstone - Two reasons. Besides the previously mentioned bit about F1 history as one of the 4 oldest tracks on the F1 schedule among all the other major races they host it is also the home of the GT Academy competition. A competition that has put one of their young drivers in a Red Bull single seater among other careers GT Academy has launched.

Last but not least and perhaps most importantly... your local track. It is the easiest place for you to get involved in racing action. It is probably the best place for you to go to get some of your own experience as well. If your local track didn't exist there would be significantly less interest in motorsports as a whole.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:30

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Fully agree, but think Sebring needs to be in there some place.

Cherry_man1 > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:34

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Laguna Seca : Because BOSS 302

Daytona: For the 24 Hours

Indy : for the 500 and IMSA races

Silverstone : Because Britain

Le Mans : The crucible of racing

Road Atlanta : Because american road track.

Road America : 'Murica

Gateway MSP: Local Track. Midnight Madness = BRING WHAT YOU OWN. Open Drag racing.

The 'Ring: We all know why.

Limerock.

and Watkens glen

crowmolly > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:40

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One that I would add... and don't throw rocks JUST yet...

is Pomona Dragway in California.

It is not the home of high speed open wheel racing, or historic rally driving, or big banked ovals. Nor is there much TV coverage and huge names walking the grounds.

But it is the track at the birthplace of the NHRA, an organization whose impact on hot rodding, grassroots motorsports, and the automotive aftermarket cannot be denied. Drag racing was and still might be the easiest form of racing to get started with and has been a part of American culture since the barrels of our guns were still warm from shooting at Germans and the Japanese.

ncasolowork2 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 04/28/2014 at 15:50

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I thought about it and I thought about Watkins Glen. Both mean a lot to American Motorsports. I'm not sure they mean enough globally.

tromoly > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:52

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Targa Florio, Isle of Man Snaefell Mountain Course, Monaco. If it's not apparent why they are important, there's some history that needs to be caught up on.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:53

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Circuit de la Sarthe: This is the pinnacle of racing. The ultimate test of man and machine over 24 hours.

Nurburgring: Because The Green Hell

Pikes Peak: Race to the sky (Shame they had to pave it. Stupid tourists.)

Mount Panorama: Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Laguna Seca: The Corkscrew

Daytona: Because 40+ 4,000 pound cars going 200+ MPH inches from each other is still exciting, even if they only turn left.

Sebring: The warm-up for Le Mans

Dunsfold: Where else have we seen so many celebrities and F1 drivers do laps in the exact same car?

Bonneville: Some people see a sea of salt and think it's useless. Others ponder how fast they can make a car or bike go in a straight line.

Mille Miglia: The very definition of crazy.

DConsorti > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 15:56

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10 - Spa Francorchamps: the most challenging circuit in F1 for at least 30/40yrs

09 - Interlagos: another iconic circuit, and the only one with internationl degree in Brazil (and home to THE legend of motorsports, Senna)

08 - Daytona: And very old and still challenging track, with all the bumps!

07 - Suzuka - the circuit that decided most titles in F1

06 - Monza: a legend per se... nothing more to add

05 - Avus - a "killer" track, that gave speeds exceeding 250mph in the 30's!!!!

04 - Monaco: the circuit that defines F1.

03 - Indianapolis: who likes cars know this one... and the only (I guess) that put F1 and Indy drivers and cars to rece eache other

02 - La Sarthe: does this relly need any comments?

01 - Nurburgring: the circuit that really show who's got talent, since 1927

Racing Archivist > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 16:09

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Watkins Glen was the first post WW2 road race in the US in Oct. 1948.

desertdog5051 > ncasolowork2 04/28/2014 at 17:30

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Daytona. Agree it is an important track, because of those races, but it isn't much of a road course. Most of it is high speed oval. And it is just a 185 mph crash fest/get lucky toward the last lap for NASCAR. I might put Watkins Glen in its place.

ncasolowork2 > desertdog5051 04/29/2014 at 08:07

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Yeah I'm not a fan of pack racing in NASCAR, but the Daytona 500 is still a major world wide event. More people care about who wins the 500 than who wins the championship.

ncasolowork2 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 04/29/2014 at 08:09

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I have no idea what the Mille Miglia is. I've got a feeling I should know. Also I disagree on Sebring. While it used to be the warm up for Le Mans it isn't any more. If it was still WEC sanctioned I'd agree.

ncasolowork2 > DConsorti 04/29/2014 at 08:12

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I've never heard of Avus. What do they race there nowadays?

DConsorti > ncasolowork2 04/29/2014 at 09:08

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from wikipedia:

After the fall of the Berlin wall, the closure of the AVUS for race events became more and more problematic for environmental and traffic concerns. The last real races were in 1998 (DTM and F-3). In 1999, a farewell event with veterans was held. (...) The round race control tower (with prominent Mercedes-Benz and Bosch sponsorship) still remains at the north end, and is used as a public restaurant and motel. The old wooden grandstand is protected as a historic monument.

ncasolowork2 > DConsorti 04/29/2014 at 09:27

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Ahh... I was looking for a list of current tracks and current relevance. I guess my first post wasn't clear.

DConsorti > ncasolowork2 04/29/2014 at 10:38

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I see...

if you want current tracks, in my list, exclude avus and ad, in 10th include Magny Cours, where almost every categorie goes to test

ncasolowork2 > DConsorti 04/29/2014 at 10:39

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Yeah that's a good track designed for testing. I really wish they hosted some major international events like F1.

desertdog5051 > ncasolowork2 04/29/2014 at 15:24

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Probably true. Get another taste of pack racing this weekend. Talladega.

ncasolowork2 > desertdog5051 04/29/2014 at 15:32

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Or watch the GT3 races every 2 hours at iRacing this week. GT3 racing at Watkins Glen without the boot and without the chicane. There's pretty much 4 corners and for a road race with cars that aren't very aero sensitive that makes for a lot of dicing for position.

desertdog5051 > ncasolowork2 04/29/2014 at 15:34

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iRacing?

ncasolowork2 > desertdog5051 04/29/2014 at 15:38

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iracing.com

Sim racing that makes Gran Turismo look like a need for speed game.

desertdog5051 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 04/29/2014 at 17:35

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Really agree on Bonneville. Until you have been there and talked to the racers about what they deal with, you have no idea. And it is a complex set of difficulties.

desertdog5051 > ncasolowork2 04/29/2014 at 17:36

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I'll check it out. Thanks.

LongbowMkII > ncasolowork2 05/05/2014 at 08:05

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1 le mans

2 monaco

3 indianapolis

4 daytona

5 spa

6 nurburgring

7 monza

8 suzuka

9 martinsville

10 sebring

HM: watkins glen, laguna seca, long beach, silverstone.

This list excludes rally stages and point to point races under the assumption that they vary over time and mostly ignorance of what makes a legendary stage.