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My first on track experience was at Blackhawk Farms with the old Porsche Driving School. (How old? -' Derek Bell and Vic Elford were the instructors.)
Subsequently did Skippy races and PCA races at the likes of Grattan, Gingerman, and Putnam Park.
Loading the trailer and trying to get out of the city on Friday and driving back on Sunday, with lots of track time in between.
Ah, the good old days. Fun memories.
From: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Yep, for sure. Roebling Road for me was Blackhawk Farms for you. Great memories. Brian Redman was my first instructor.
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First track for me was Lime Rock Park and I still consider it my "home track". Probably one of the easiest tracks to learn on and one of the hardest to master.
From: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Originally Posted by LuigiVampa
First track for me was Lime Rock Park and I still consider it my "home track". Probably one of the easiest tracks to learn on and one of the hardest to master.
Well, Lime Rock is still my favorite track for just that reason.
Interesting to note that my lap times on both tracks average within tenths of a mile per hour average speed, over 102 mph!
I went to school at Skippy a few years after starting at Roebling. It was the same approach and even though Roebling was flat and Lime Rock was not, you just never slowed down... It prepared me well.
It was the same approach and even though Roebling was flat and Lime Rock was not, you just never slowed down... It prepared me well.
I've only driven one small track one Saturday, Harris Hill Road in San Marcos, TX, 1.82 mi, early in my track learning experience. Instructor hops in the car, "now this is a technical track..." - "what's a technical track?" was my response. Well I found out. The place grabs you by the throat for the entire lap with no real straights to think of where one can catch a breath. It was a one day event with four 25 minute sessions. Initially, I was disappointed, as I was used to a two day event with four 20 minutes sessions per day. After 4 sessions at HHR, I was done for the weekend. Think COTA with lots of bumps and no straights. Instructing there had to be a lot of work.
And, come to think of it, I had my first spin and off there. Still, I'm sure the place made me a better driver.
Motorsports Ranch in Cresson, TX (SW of Fort Worth) in its original 1.7 mile configuration is an excellent (and extremely safe) short technical track as well. Elevation, off camber, it has it all
My first SCCA school was at Marlboro followed by Watkins Glen (No bus-stop, no "Boot", no guardrail). First race was the "Reading Road Races" which included some airport runways and service roads lined with telephone poles. I got transferred to Detroit and ran Waterford Hills quite a bit as well as Grattan, Blackhawk Farms, IRP, and Nelson Ledges. The "Big" tracks were Michigan Intl Road Course , Mid-Ohio, and Road America.
I've only driven one small track one Saturday, Harris Hill Road in San Marcos, TX, 1.82 mi, early in my track learning experience. Instructor hops in the car, "now this is a technical track..." - "what's a technical track?" was my response. Well I found out. The place grabs you by the throat for the entire lap with no real straights to think of where one can catch a breath. It was a one day event with four 25 minute sessions. Initially, I was disappointed, as I was used to a two day event with four 20 minutes sessions per day. After 4 sessions at HHR, I was done for the weekend. Think COTA with lots of bumps and no straights. Instructing there had to be a lot of work.
And, come to think of it, I had my first spin and off there. Still, I'm sure the place made me a better driver.
Hallett is very popular amongst the track crowd in the Texas Triangle. It's on my list. For some reason I forgot about Cresson - it is on my list too. Someday...
Little track? -
How about 2.3 miles with 14 turns and 509' of overall elevation change on a hilltop? Try Palmer. Certainly not the largest or the best amenities but a ton of fun and challenging to master!
My first SCCA school was at Marlboro followed by Watkins Glen (No bus-stop, no "Boot", no guardrail). First race was the "Reading Road Races" which included some airport runways and service roads lined with telephone poles. I got transferred to Detroit and ran Waterford Hills quite a bit as well as Grattan, Blackhawk Farms, IRP, and Nelson Ledges. The "Big" tracks were Michigan Intl Road Course , Mid-Ohio, and Road America.
Heck yeah, after learning to race (and how to go 3-wide) at Waterford, Grattan and Gingerman are "big" tracks! RA is an enduro (and so is the tow, thanks Chicago)...
Little track? -
How about 2.3 miles with 14 turns and 509' of overall elevation change on a hilltop? Try Palmer. Certainly not the largest or the best amenities but a ton of fun and challenging to master!
06-10-2019 | 03:03 PM
In praise of little tracks
