Oak Tree at VIR is gone - it fell over
07-02-2013, 01:56 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Oak Tree at VIR is gone - it fell over
Oak Tree Down
Alton, VA, July 2, 2113 – There is no easy way to say this – The Oak Tree is down. The iconic landmark that has come to symbolize VIRginia International Raceway has fallen, broken at the base.
“We are in shock and mourning,” said track owner Connie Nyholm. “We’re too busy right now trying to get the racetrack cleared of debris. We are grateful no one was at the corner station or on track when she fell and that there is no damage to the track surface. Tomorrow we’ll begin to get our arms around what this really means, but I can tell you that it means more than any of us want to think about today.”
The massive oak stood sentinel at the south end of the racetrack, looking out from the highest point on the property at the sprawling facility and its 3.27 miles of serpentine asphalt that has come to be regarded as the most challenging in North America, if not the world.
Its branches shaded the apex of the legendary Oak Tree Turn, looking down on the likes of Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen, Tom Kristensen and Richard Petty as well as a host of race drivers from the brilliant to the not so.
“I can tell you this,” Nyholm said, “The Oak Tree will live on in our minds and hearts, and we will give it an appropriate send-off. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to oaktree@VIRnow.com for proper ways to honor this old friend.”
VIRginia International Raceway
1245 Pine Tree Road • Alton, Virginia 24520 • 434.822.7700 * www.VIRnow.com
Alton, VA, July 2, 2113 – There is no easy way to say this – The Oak Tree is down. The iconic landmark that has come to symbolize VIRginia International Raceway has fallen, broken at the base.
“We are in shock and mourning,” said track owner Connie Nyholm. “We’re too busy right now trying to get the racetrack cleared of debris. We are grateful no one was at the corner station or on track when she fell and that there is no damage to the track surface. Tomorrow we’ll begin to get our arms around what this really means, but I can tell you that it means more than any of us want to think about today.”
The massive oak stood sentinel at the south end of the racetrack, looking out from the highest point on the property at the sprawling facility and its 3.27 miles of serpentine asphalt that has come to be regarded as the most challenging in North America, if not the world.
Its branches shaded the apex of the legendary Oak Tree Turn, looking down on the likes of Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen, Tom Kristensen and Richard Petty as well as a host of race drivers from the brilliant to the not so.
“I can tell you this,” Nyholm said, “The Oak Tree will live on in our minds and hearts, and we will give it an appropriate send-off. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to oaktree@VIRnow.com for proper ways to honor this old friend.”
VIRginia International Raceway
1245 Pine Tree Road • Alton, Virginia 24520 • 434.822.7700 * www.VIRnow.com
07-02-2013, 03:18 PM
#4
Track Day
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll know by Friday if it's true. But it seems to be. 
http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/new...-virginia.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/new...-virginia.html
07-02-2013, 03:30 PM
#5
VIR was my first and last track .i am too old for RR but i had many a turn on that tree [i swear only 1 spin out there]. i will miss that george of the jungle joke............what out for that tree
Trending Topics
07-02-2013, 09:00 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
This is an down right shame. A famous icon for sure. My first ride under the Tree was in 1966 on an H-D XLR Racer and again in 1967 riding a Kawasaki A1R. What a great memory that is. I think it should be replaced with a new tree and continue the corner name for the next 50 years. Allan 
07-02-2013, 09:57 PM
#10
It's for real. We just did an HPDE Vette event there last week. What an awesome track and the oak tree was my favorite turn. I guess from now on, we just need to aim at the corner worker :-)
07-03-2013, 12:52 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
That is sad. They will need to plant another one there and hopefully a semi-mature one ($$$$) to take it's place. Either way, it'll take a long time for another oak to look as majestic as that one.
They will need to plant another one there and hopefully a semi-mature one ($$$$) to take it's place. Either way, it'll take a long time for another oak to look as majestic as that one.
