Edward

Yup,

130 or so up the front straight (and Marty is much faster than I am) then hard "slow" for T1. Fun! ...but I prefer Buttonwillow too for it's twisty quality and what sometimes seems like 109 turns on the track (and it's more benign run-off area). BTW, you can get pretty hot on BW's back straight as well if they don't run the BusStop. Talledega sorta reminds me of WSIR T8 in a way, but at least doesn't "terminate" into a decreasing radius T9 ...wooohooo . I wish I could join the fun a TQ and meet some of you all. Have fun, gents!


Edward

kary993

I have to concur with Martin. Even though our car setups are different, I do not see the higher speeds at Willow like I see at California Speedway. If I exit turn 9 at WSIR well I hit between 125 and 130 by turn 1. The best time at WSIR for is 1:32.14. At the speedway I see 135 entering turn 1 and see 140 at the turn in to the infield. In the infield I see 115-120 twice. The speeds are clearly faster at the speedway. My best lap time at the Speedway is 1:54.21.

Edward

...e-gads, you guys are fast. I'll just shut up now.
(...now where did I leave that Turtle sticker...)

Edward

Agro1

Well I'm sure your going faster through 1 at Willow than you are at Fontana. Especially with the compression and camber in turn 1 at Willow. Then Turns 2-8 are all pretty quick (except turn 4 at the top of the hill)...I'd say Willow holds the title for "Fastest Track in the West"

Being on that high banking at Fontana may give the sensation of higher speeds, but I'll bet your average speed at Willow is higher. Whadda ya think ?

Martin S.

We could do some simple proportions if I knew the track length at both tracks...you will see faster speeds at Fontana. I know I don't see 140 at Willow Springs. Turn 1 at Willow is fast, but for me it is done after some braking and is taken in 4th gear.

Fontana in the fast part, I am in 5th gear, and that is from the front straight all away around to the braking zone for the turn in...trust Kary and me on this one...you will see higher top speeds at Fontana. I can't speak to the average speeds though. Try it you will like it!!!

Agro1

I'm sure you're right about top speed; but I'd like to know which track has the higher average speed. I mean c'mon, if you want top speed we can go out to the desert

kary993

I am not going as fast in turn 1 at willow than in turn 1 and 2 at the Speedway. At the speedway I am in 5th gear all the way around those turns, at WSIR I am in 4th gear. Sorry if this sounds bad, but turn 1 at willow is not that banked nor is it that fast as compared to the speedway turns 1 and 2. Willow turn 1 is a quick turn. The speedway goes on for 20-30 seconds. There is a big difference!

Martin is right, trust us on this one, the speedway is fast if you want to go fast. It is much faster than I am willing to push the car. I left a lot of time on the table in that banking because of the big white wall at the top humbles me!

Agro1

LOL - I hear ya Kary, I'll have to get out there and try it in a 993. I've only run Fontana in a Shelby Cobra (replica, my track car that I sold for the 993). It had almost 600hp and was a serious handfull. It'll be a much different experience in the 993, hopefully I'll see you guys out there

Mark in Hermosa

How many times did you look at those skid marks leading up to the wall after turn 2 and say to yourself, "Well...passed those...I'm safe..."

Turn 8 at Willow was nothing compared to Turn 2 at Fontana.

The funnest part of the days was sitting in the hot pits and listening to almost EVERY car lift at the end of the front straight before turn 2. Guilty as charged, so I can't be that critical...

Agro1

Mark - see sig line

Mark in Hermosa

Luke - see turn 2

Agro1

Can't you just drift it through 2 ?

Eyal 951

I'll be at buttonwillow as well for the Tracquest event, looking forward to it!
~Eyal

David '96 993

I will be at Fontana, but won't be hitting the speeds you guys are with my little 4 banger. I will try to stay out of your way if I see you guys in my mirror on the oval.

max911

Mark's car in the pits:




(my new little digital camera doesn't like reds apparently...sorry for the blotchy car)