"nermal" (nermal)
05/26/2015 at 14:39 • Filed to: field reports, new tracks, bold predictions, 8 bit awesome sauce
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"nermal" (nermal)
05/26/2015 at 14:39 • Filed to: field reports, new tracks, bold predictions, 8 bit awesome sauce | 0
| 11 |
I say this after I had the chance to walk the new addition to the track, which is already paved, but waiting on curing or whatever it is that pavement has to do after being paved.
Full Disclosure:
I have spent way too much $$$ on track time here over the past few years. I have no interest in the facility beyond my desire to continue giving them $$$ in exchange for a safe place to go fast. I have spent a smaller yet equally impressive amount of $$$ at the onsite hot-dog truck, and will probably continue to do so there as well.
Proof of pavement:
Mappage for reference:
What’s so great about it? To summarize, it will be ~3 miles of extremely fast, flowing track, with several blind entrances, and brutal elevation changes.
On the map above, the the track starts to drop off at the red square just before T3. That begins your descent downhill. T4 is tight and steep but seems cambered so it will be fast and the exit will shoot you down the hill. Coming down into T5 will be a short and very, very hard braking zone, made even more difficult by the slight left turn. The square outside that will be the low point, and T6 will begin your ascent uphill. According to the video, the total drop is 85 ft. By comparison, the drop @ Laguna Seca from the top of the Corkscrew to T9 (the left afterwards) is 109 ft total. The difference here is that you have to slam on the brakes and U-turn at the lowest point, then immediately go back up an equivalent amount.
The square right after T6 indicates what I’m going to refer to as Excitebike Hill. Why? Remember how bikes crashed in Excitebike, by tumbling end-over-end? That’s what’s gonna happen here, only they will be rolling backwards from wheelies gone bad. This section makes VIR’s Hog Pen seem like a molehill by comparison.
The 2nd square after T6 is a blind crest. Coming up on it all you see is sky. Better make sure you’re pointed in the right direction or else things could get ugly. Also, it then starts back downhill to build speed into another hard braking zone before T7. The S sequence of T7-8-9-10 will be quick with constant back-and-forth before you join up with the old track @ T11.
Once you take into account the existing North course combined with the new South one, this will be without question the most fun, yet demanding 3 miles of pavement on the East coast. The first event to run there will be the Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix in July, let’s hope they attract some other larger events in order to keep expanding and improving the facilities.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
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05/26/2015 at 14:44 |
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Preeeeetty sure PIRC isn’t Watkins Glen...
LongbowMkII
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05/26/2015 at 14:51 |
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turn 5 sounds like a complete pain in the ass and completely vital to a good time. fun.
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> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/26/2015 at 14:53 |
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No bikes allowed @ Watkins Glen.
Snuze: Needs another Swede
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05/26/2015 at 14:58 |
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This is great! I love going up for the PVGP racing there every summer. 2 years ago I got a ride with the race director in his Cayman R during lunch. I thought it was a fantastic track, and can’t wait to see it with the new improvements.
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> LongbowMkII
05/26/2015 at 15:07 |
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I think you are correct. The section from 3 to the top of the hill after 6 will be the “signature” piece.
DocWalt
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05/26/2015 at 15:09 |
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Sounds like a LOT more fun. I did my first track day on their North course last year and had a blast. I’m hoping to make it back sometime when the full course is open. It looks to be a lot more technically challenging.
AntiSpeed
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05/26/2015 at 15:26 |
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I’m super excited to take my Formula F out there, I’ve been waiting for it for a loooong time!
Although I must say the new owners missed a golden opportunity to re-name it Pittsburgh International Motorsports Park.
aquila121
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05/26/2015 at 17:33 |
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Hey, I did a track day a few years ago in my Prelude when it was still called BeaveRun—I just heard that it changed management and there have been some changes. I’d be interested to go again and try the new layout of the longer course. Thanks for the reminder.
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> aquila121
05/26/2015 at 17:53 |
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It’s totally different under the new ownership. Besides the expansion, there are new bathroom facilities and garages down in the main paddock, instead of just at the top of the hill. There’s also a big skid pad / autocross area.
deekster_caddy
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05/29/2015 at 12:11 |
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Is this small area on the right for carts? If so, do they have carts or is it bring your own?
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> deekster_caddy
05/29/2015 at 12:39 |
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Yes, that’s the Wilson Circuit, where you can run carts / karts, or a motard.
They’ll do bring-your-own or rentals. The rentals are $55 for three 10 minute sessions - not bad considering they’re significantly faster than the neutered ones you find at the combo go kart / mini golf / ice cream / etc places.