Oak tree Grand Prix anyone ?

"cnessel27" (cnessel27)
08/19/2015 at 22:50 • Filed to: VIR Typingwhiletired

Any one else going to the oak tree Grand Prix this weekend? This will be my first time at VIR, which is a place I’ve always wanted to go. I hear it’s a great spectators track which was lacking in my last professional motorsports outing the Baltimore Grand Prix (2011,13). Will be falling asleep shortly so don't be alarmed or offended by the delay if I need to respond.

DISCUSSION (19)

smobgirl > cnessel27
08/19/2015 at 23:09

Not going, but it is a good spectator track. I haven’t been since right around when it reopened but my uncle and cousin are up there a lot (cousin is there this weekend, I think, he works for some race team or other). It’s gotten pretty nice from what I’ve heard. Have fun!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > cnessel27
08/19/2015 at 23:15

They need to change the name. There is no more oak tree. Only Zuul.

AM3R shamefully returns > cnessel27
08/19/2015 at 23:15

Just hearing about this but I'm only a few hours from VIR.. Maybe I'll make the trip.

BKRM3 > cnessel27
08/20/2015 at 01:21

Oak tree is dead; long live oak tree!

I, too, attended ALMS at Baltimore in 2011, 13. Sucked. VIR is God’s country. It’s a cornfield race track. You’re gonna love it. Remember to hydrate. I can’t go this weekend, for the ultra-legit reason that, despite VIR being a long haul from Philly that I wouldn’t undertake lightly in any event, I’ll actually be on track myself all weekend (in New Jersey) continuing the shakedown of my E46 330i (sedan!) race car build. Do post some sweet pics should you manage to snap any!

Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > cnessel27
08/20/2015 at 03:57

Damn, I have a severe case of the jellies right now. VIR is the closest track to my hometwon, and I have many a fond memory of my times there. Enjoy it for those of us that cannot go!

cnessel27 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/20/2015 at 05:33

Haha so would that read “Zuul Grand Prix” or “Grand Prix of Zuul” I think the latter.

cnessel27 > AM3R shamefully returns
08/20/2015 at 05:37

Well if your wandering throught the camping area and spot a silver focus wagon with an AT-AT sticker feel free to stop by for some beer and vodka.

cnessel27 > Horkin' Up Dangle Hams
08/20/2015 at 05:46

Will do, as well as posting some content on here. I grew up going to lime rock but haven’t been there in 6-7 years, now I’m even further away from LRP so the chances of going are even slimer but now I’m close enough to make it to VIR so hopefully this becomes a regular thing. Really looking forward to this weekend.

cnessel27 > smobgirl
08/20/2015 at 05:54

Thank you, will do my best. Looking forward to the awesome spectating and not being stuck in a track shaped cage in down town baltimore lol.

cnessel27 > BKRM3
08/20/2015 at 06:01

Wow that’s a legit reason for sure. I can’t wait till in can get a chance to get on track. What sanctioning body and class are you running? I'm hoping they have pretty decent wifi so I can upload some videos to YouTube to post on here.

BKRM3 > cnessel27
08/20/2015 at 07:55

The car is being built to spec E46 class rules. It’ll be used for endurance races and sprints with various organizations, including AER, bmw club racing and NASA

cnessel27 > BKRM3
08/20/2015 at 08:13

That sounds awesome, I’ve been entertaining the idea of a high mileage 896 Boxster to run in a spec series. Likely tho I will be using my focus wagon (once I get a different dd) and doing some chump car stuff maybe progressing into scca IT. Do you have a build page?

BKRM3 > cnessel27
08/20/2015 at 10:37

I’ve seen some of those boxsters seem at the track, they seem really capable and fun. That said, I’d be worried about having to buy Porsche parts all the time. Finding cheap BMW parts for an old E46 is big enough challenge. I think paying for a seat in chump or similar is a great way to build experience without incurring the up front costs of building a race car. If you do want to own your own, I’d suggest buying one already built. It’s generally much cheaper than building from scratch and saves a lot of headaches. No build page for our car, unfortunately...barely have the time to work on the car itself, much less a webpage!

cnessel27 > BKRM3
08/21/2015 at 13:59

Yeah I don’t think I would end up with a boxster, but when you see them on eBay for 4-5 grand its tempting. Thank you for your kind words of wisdom as I’m sure I’m not taking the easy path but I have been hankering to build my own race car (even if just go as far as chump), roll cage and all. I am a fabricator turned Ford trained tech for past seven years so on slow days I dream about what things I want to build and how. Not that means anything really, but I will be going through formal welding certification before and have every thing thoroughly inspected as I go especially regarding safety concerns. It may be that I end up enjoying the build rather than the drive lol.

Mthew_M > cnessel27
08/21/2015 at 17:42

I’ll be there! Look for the white i8. I’m geeky (or nerdy? or just lame?), so I did the BMW Corral - have an extra entrance ticket for Saturday and Sunday, if anyone’s looking. It’s free, and you can ride in an i8. Headed up both days from Raleigh.

cnessel27 > Mthew_M
08/21/2015 at 18:03

Holy Hanna The last and only time I’ve seen an i8 I barely got a glimps of it and I haven’t seen one since.

Mthew_M > cnessel27
08/21/2015 at 18:14

Well you’ll have to come check it out! I’m planning to get there by 8 for the start of things, which means I should definitely be there by noon, lol.

cnessel27 > Mthew_M
08/21/2015 at 19:49

Right on.

Mthew_M > cnessel27
08/22/2015 at 11:46

Hey, I have someone riding with me in the car corral at 12:15, but if you’d like to try and squeeze in the back seat, meet me over there. I’m in an orange polo and too-short shorts. And no, I couldn’t figure out how to send a message, lol.