![]() 07/14/2015 at 08:00 • Filed to: palmer motorsports park | ![]() | ![]() |
Imagine the perfect windy road, flowing up and down the mountains through challenging turns and spectacular scenery. Now imagine no police or oncoming traffic. Imagine no slow truck or Prius that you can’t pass, and driving as fast as you can. Seems like a dream, right? It’s not. This ultimate mountain road is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a new track in central Massachusetts. I had the privilege of driving it this past weekend thanks to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
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The track in Palmer, MA, also known as Whiskey Hill Raceway, has been a dream of New England racers for many years. The only other dedicated road course in New England, Lime Rock Park, is much closer to New York City than the rest of the area, and although New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway have nice road courses, they’re combined with oval tracks which are their primary focus. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has been trying to build a facility dedicated to the needs of its members for many years. Despite some setbacks and delays, the project finally broke ground in 2013, and held their first driving events this past May. The track itself, driveways, and a couple of small buildings are the only parts that are finished so far. Other facilities are spartan, but improving over time. The paddock area is still dirt, though grass has finally grown along the track. Curbing is expected to be added later this year. There was little shelter from the hot July sun, but we could retreat to the air conditioned comfort of the driver training room for some relief. Even the corner stations aren’t built yet. Workers stood behind walls and on top of rocky outcroppings, out of harm’s way. But the workers were well placed, and their flags were impossible to miss.
The traditional racing line goes out the window for most of Palmer’s fourteen turns. Many of them are linked together, so you often need to compromise your line through one turn to optimize your exit from the next. You can’t see your track-out points or even apexes from most of your turn-ins. Elevation and camber changes often affect your desired line as well. Even the front straightaway is a curve you take at triple digit speeds, before braking hard and dropping speed more quickly than you expect due to a steep uphill at the entry to turn 1. The track never quite gets straight before turn 2, which is followed by a short straight, the fairly open turn 3, and another short straight before a right hairpin at turn 4. The track starts going uphill before the end of the turn, and immediately turns back left in an even tighter turn 5 into a very steep uphill straightaway. Just as you crest the hill, turn 6 takes you down the other side. You don’t have time to admire the scenery at turn 7 as you aim for an apex you can’t see through the rock cliff, and stay as close to the inside as you can to take advantage of the camber right next to the tire wall. Get it right and the car will launch out of the turn down a short straightaway, through turn 8 with an arc continuing past the track-out point to set you up for turn 9. Get inside quickly and use the banking to accelerate onto one of the longer straights to turn 10, and carry that speed into turn 11. Turns 11 and 12 are a single decreasing radius turn, just like Massachusetts’ infamous highway on-ramps that tighten in the middle without warning. Brake going into 11 and stay outside until you can see the turn-in of 13, then slowly bring the car into it. The apex of turn 13 is at the crest of a small hill, so watch out for the car getting light here. It is important to keep the car settled here so you can carry all the speed you can and accelerate through turn 14, and downhill through the main straight again. Even slow cars can exceed 100mph thanks to the downhill slope.
Here’s a few laps of what it looks like when you put it all together.
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This is toward the end of the weekend, when I’d learned the track pretty well. You can see that my line doesn’t always match up with the reference cones, but this is the line that worked best for me in my car. I let two Corvettes pass because they have over twice as much horsepower as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but surprisingly they don’t pull away from me very quickly. I actually hang with them pretty well through the corners before they put the power down on the straightaways. Though it may seem like the elevation changes would favor the more powerful cars, very little of the track being a straight line makes it good for great handling, lower horsepower cars like the BRZ/FR-S and Miata.
Chin Motorsports is the largest provider of professional non-competition track events in the US, but even they had never visited New England before. Their staff and instructors were quite knowledgeable, and helped us learn the track quickly despite learning it at the same time we did. General Manager Mark Hicks, who ran this event, told me that he has driven 45 different tracks, and Palmer is one of the best tracks he’s driven. I have far less experience than he does, but I’d say that Palmer is the most challenging and fun track I’ve driven, and the best in New England. I’ll be back.
Many thanks to Chin Motorsports for inviting me to be among the first to drive this track!
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![]() 07/14/2015 at 08:14 |
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I was here a few weeks ago in my Mustang. This track feels like it was specifically designed just to screw with you, with lots of elevation change and odd camber, plus a few blind apexes. I loved it. 10/10. Will be back.
My last session:
![]() 07/14/2015 at 08:41 |
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Smashing run, really. If I had a Mono I would definitely get a crack at the track.
I think that in about two years time, Palmer will have been upgraded enough to host rounds of different racing series, even USCC. It would be epic if this track becomes part of the MotoAmerica series. I’m certain riders will have loads of fun here.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:08 |
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I certainly hope so. I only live 90 minutes from there. One guy who works there told me he’s had his bike out on the track, and topped out at 186mph where I was flirting with 110 in my BRZ.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:12 |
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Nice run! You’re right, it’s a tricky track. How did you find the corners in the Mustang? Obviously you had the power to take advantage of the short straights (especially the uphill out of 5). Did the car feel OK through them, or were you pretty much waiting them out until you could point the car straight again and POWAAAAAH!
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:13 |
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Great writeup! My home chapter of the BMW CCA was one of the first groups to run the track when it opened back in May - really awesome to see the grass coming in lol. Now, if they could only get some curbing! Can’t wait to go back next spring. I imagine everyone feels the same way...I don’t think I’ve seen one negative comment about the track yet. You really like turning in that early in 9? This is one aspect of new tracks that I love: no one (even instructors) really knows what the real “line” is. I wonder how much rubber is down compared to when I was there, we had more or less green pavement which was pretty wild.
Here’s a video of me (330i - pre-SE46 build shakedown) and a friend (E46 M3) mixing it up at our event.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:13 |
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I was there back in May, can’t wait for the grass to come in and not have to worry about all those rocks. Absolutely loved the track.
Some things that worked for me that I noticed you do differently, but I have a much different car. In 7 I come straight down from 6 on the right side of the track toward the wall by the cliff tap the brakes and the car rotates around and down to hit the late, they almost all are, apex for 7 then slides right out like you mentioned; interesting to see a tire wall in 7 now. Also In 9 I do something very similar to you by shooting straight down the middle of the track then about in the middle of the curve I tap the brakes firmly and get the car to rotate down then in and out. Going around 12 I come from right of the track and hug the inside for a moment then head straight at the outside wall for a second then tap the brakes again to get the car to rotate around so I am straight on the left side for the 12 to 13. Totally different car than you though, track dedicated e46 M3 with high sprung springs and coils and I noticed most people couldn’t do those lines when I was there, in my group at least.
That 4-5 uphill is tough if you don’t have momentum and good suspension or high torque/horsepower cars. Looks like grass is starting to come in. 10/10 would drive again and I am glad you had a good time.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:20 |
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My first thought when I saw this track was, I doubt they will ever have motorcycles racing there with walls that close :(. But maybe I am completely wrong.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:20 |
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Is the track really as close in opposing directions as it looks on the map? T4 and T9 for example, it looks like if you overcook it going into T4 you’ll end up in oncoming traffic in T9.
It’s hard to tell from the video, but how was the runoff area? Is there enough room to spin or go off the track without smashing into a wall?
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:21 |
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My video is from near the end of Sunday, so I’d figured out what works for my car pretty well by then. YMMV with other cars. I saw lots of different lines through the turns. Some worked, and some didn’t. I’m still chickening out on the front straight, lifting a bit before the braking zone so that I don’t fly in there too fast, and even then I had a couple of sketchy times through there.
Nice video! It’s great to see people who posted the videos I watched to preview the track chiming in with their thoughts.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:27 |
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I made a bunch of suspension changes this year and run relatively grippy street rubber (Bridgestone RE11), but I’m moving a lot more mass around than, say, a BRZ. The really tight corners were still an exercise in managing understeer, but the faster sweeper corners (2,3, and 8) suited the car very well and I had a lot of confidence throwing it through. I think the thing that really surprised me about this track was how little time you have to sit back and collect yourself and maybe check the gauges. There is stuff happening all the time. Even the front straight isn’t straight.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:28 |
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There were a few offs, but only one contact with the wall (coming out of 7). The ground is solid enough with the grass now to help cars slow down before impact better than the loose dirt that was there before.
I got to play with a second WRB BRZ, who took a line through 7 like you do. I don’t know if I was more committed than him - judging by how he drove other parts of the track, I doubt it - and I found that in my car, staying to the inside got me more grip in the banking. The closer to the wall, the better. It could be because I have a lightweight car. I could then carry that speed advantage through 8, and use another tight line through 9 to take advantage of the banking once again.
If I was a smoker, 4-5 is where I could light one up while waiting for the car to get up the hill. It’s the closest I get to a break anywhere on the track, and even there it’s often where I point people by since I’m already going so slow up the hill I don’t have to lift.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:32 |
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The track gets close to itself, but the map doesn’t show you the huge elevation changes between those parts of the track. Watch some video (mine or others here in the comments) and you’ll see that a car going through turn 4 will run into a rock cliff far below turn 9.
Runoff is limited, which can be a little intimidating. One car actually hit the wall all weekend, but there were many new tire marks on the pavement and grass, and I got to drive around a C7 Corvette in the middle of the track that was facing the wrong direction after turn 1.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:36 |
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Yes, this, exactly. The uphill straight between 5 and 6 was my only break, and that’s only because my car doesn’t have enough power to get up the hill quickly. I felt a little more sketchy in the fast corners, but more confident in the slower ones. That’s my inner autocrosser talking! Chin let my other half ride along with me, and true to her usual co-driver role she kept an eye on the gauges (including the extra ones I put on my phone, like oil temp) and helped me adjust my lines through the turns. She was very helpful.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:46 |
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You watched my video before going to the track!? D’awwwwwww! Sorry if it put you to sleep lol. Car was in grocergy-getter trim. Yeah, 100% agree with you on the YMMV approach. I was struggling to drive around the god awful open diff on those crazy twisty uphill corners. Open diff + stock suspension = traction fail unless you resign yourself to lugging uphill in third gear.
I was definitely chickening a bit on the front straight. I think I hit 115 or so but I was really conservative taking that bend and setting up for braking. I basically breathed off throttle like you did and just keep maintenance throttle through the bend. Prooooobbbbably could’ve held it flat out to the braking zone but why take the risk on a new track during a new donor car shakedown? Turn one is REALLY busy between braking, shifting, turning and the track closing in (not to mention the jersey barriers right at apex). I think it’s one of those most challenging turns on the track because if you can maintain speed there you can absolutely blast down through 2 and 3.
I haven’t been on track since Palmer because the car has been at the cage builder and I’m really starting to twitch. Race tracks are a hell of a drug =)
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:47 |
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Yep that was my biggest concern from looking at the video was the close proximity of walls and cliffs. There’s always a risk to do damage if you’re dumb, but some places are more lenient than others.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:51 |
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200ish hp problems. 4-5 I feel your pain. In one of my videos I actually noticed myself chugging like a train with my arms between there. I’m certain I also said aloud “chugga chugga chugga.” Forgot I did it. Hilarious. If there was any time I missed my E90 M3 at that event it was that hill.....
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:52 |
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While we’re on the subject of tracks - have you made it onto the expanded Pitt race circuit yet? I believe you and I were talking about that a month or so ago. I just saw a video from a Spec E46 car running there with NASA last weekend and holy crap does it look awesome! Definitely planning to do it at some point, probably next season.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:55 |
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I watched everything I could get my hands on to prepare. It’s a complicated track! Yeah, the open diff would be a problem with more power in the tighter corners. I have less power plus a Torsen, so at least that was easy for me.
I feel a bit less wussy about coasting into 1 now that you’ve admitted to doing it, too. I think I saw 108. I have no doubt I could’ve touched 115 if I tried, but like you say, why take the risk? I’m not winning anything here, just having fun.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:57 |
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It’s a valid concern, and why I mentioned it. That’s yet another way it simulates that twisty mountain road - little room for error. Then again, compared to some rally stages I’ve driven with no runoff at all, I felt relatively comfortable.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 09:58 |
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I think I did EXACTLY the same thing in my first session!
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:01 |
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Hahaha no reason to feel wussy during your first time on any track in a non-competition event.
We aren’t Dickie Speedmaster, after all.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:06 |
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I got the chance to walk the new Pitt Race expansion, and will be there this weekend to ride it on my bike.
The videos don’t show how dramatic the elevation changes are. The drop to the fishhook / hairpin turn is steep, and the climb back up even worse.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:06 |
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Ok, good, now I feel better about myself too hahahaha
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:08 |
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Awesome! Here’s the SE46 video I was talking about. Look how fun it is with traffic =D
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:49 |
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It’s only ten minutes from my Dad’s house. I definitely want to try it, and see if E39s really are as great handling as everyone says, but I’m worried about blowing something in my 240k mile car and I definitely can’t afford to buy into a club for just one track event.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 10:56 |
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You could shoot for September 1 with SCDA . No membership, just sign up and drive. As for the E39, well, yeah, you’ll want to make sure that’s in shape for this.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 11:08 |
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It’s had a new radiator and water pump in the last year so I’m not worried about the infamous cooling system, but I’ve heard hushed whispers about issues with the rear subframe.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 11:10 |
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Cooling is good. My water temp was fine but my oil temp ran around 250. Rear subframe - check for rust? Does the E39 have the potential front control arm issues that the E30/E36/E46 do? I remember BMW CCA being quite adamant about checking those when I ran with them.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 12:04 |
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My car is virtually rust free but the rear subframe has been accused of being made out of metal that’s too thin.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 14:56 |
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My god I want to drive this track!
![]() 07/14/2015 at 19:22 |
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I didn’t hear any Thomas the tank engine sounds coming from you, just a bunch of grumbling.
![]() 07/14/2015 at 19:35 |
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OK, maybe not chugga chugga, but I was doing the arm waving thing.
![]() 07/15/2015 at 12:12 |
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You were, there was also lots of verbal encouragement of an energetic sort.
![]() 07/15/2015 at 12:14 |
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I could practically hear Mr. Scott in the engine bay calling back “I’m givin’ ‘er all she’s got, Captain!”
![]() 07/18/2015 at 12:45 |
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The lack of runoff and concrete barriers everywhere look pretty scary; are some of those barriers not actually concrete but something more forgiving / bendy? I’m guessing not for the ones with actual car tires in front of them. I really hope those tall catch fences are up to the task on the stretches that look to be right next to cliffsides. All this seems especially worrisome in light of Jules Bianchi’s death, not to be a Debbie Downer, just wondering who’s in charge of safety and if they are on the ball. Not everything needs to be Isle of Man or Pike’s Peak level of dangerous, even on a road course.
It does look like tons of fun to drive, but as a spectator, it seems like you’d only be able to see a very small portion of the track, especially compared to Lime Rock, Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway, where if you position yourself properly you can see half or more of the track and enjoy the action at several corners. I’ve never understood the thinking of putting big bleachers right at the start-finish, and especially at Sonoma where they redesigned the track and made it so you can’t even see the last corner leading up the final straight so all you see is cars going in a straight line, and the bleachers themselves obscure the action from elsewhere. (I understand that a complaint from the only other “neighboring” property kept Sonoma from putting the bleachers where they wanted, but still, there was no reason to obscure the final turn from the start-finish.) I keep hoping that the road courses will place cameras all around the track and stream them so you can choose your views of the other areas of the course and see what’s going on, or have split screen big-screens with various views. Otherwise, it’s watching the leaderboard and listening to a hopelessly inadequate PA system or I guess radio broadcast to find out if there’s been a crash or overtaking somewhere you can’t see, which is most of the course. I love seeing cars tackle the Corkscrew or certain corners at other tracks, but I really think road racing would be more popular (and profitable) if some already available tech were used to make it more watchable for the fans.
![]() 07/18/2015 at 16:08 |
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It’s true, there isn’t much runoff and those barriers are pretty solid. I saw the aftermath of a 911 that lost it’s battle with one.
The track is still very much a work in progress, though. There are tire walls that didn’t exist a couple of months ago. There weren't many places to spectate, but definitely places where it would be possible of grandstands and infrastructure is added. I look forward to seeing how they continue to finish the place off.