fleadh

Hmm... doesn't really seem similar to me. SP is more technical and slower (even in its fast parts).

Here's some in-car from the 6 Hour practice session last year. My first time driving the car:


-mike

winders

Mike,

I didn't necessarily think that Watkins Glen and Sears Point were similar. It's possible to compare dissimilar things, right?

I get to drive Sears Point and Thunderhill quite often and used to ride/race bikes at Laguna Seca and Buttonwillow quite a bit as well. The farthest east I have been on a track is Las Vegas.

Sears Point is the most interesting and rewarding track I have driven on and was curious as to how Watkins Glen fared in comparison. One thing that has become clear to me over time is that top speed is overrated. I'll take technical over fast anytime as long as that technical isn't obnoxious and tedious. Sears Point has a wonderful flow to it.

Anyway, I was just curious....

Thanks,

Scott

SoClose

IMHO, Sears would qualify as one of the best tracks in the country with Rd America and The Glen were it not for that final turn. Wide, slippery, slightly off camber, slow- enough to bunch everyone up for the mad dash past the stands (and sound meter). Mickey Mouse for what is otherwise an unbelievable track.
When you have a track that requires big technical skills and big *****, you have a winner, unless there's one turn on the track that ruins it.

winders

Really? Turn 11 is a classic threshold braking passing zone and a turn that can be taken a few different ways. It's easy to get wrong if you try to do too much with it. It's not my favorite corner on the track but it's not "Mickey Mouse" by any stretch.....

Scott

SoClose

I guess that I see it as a 'stadium' turn in what otherwise is a great natural road course. The elevation changes there have to be experienced sometime, especially that rise where your heart is pressed against the roof of your mouth.

winders

The "Long Course" version of Turn 11 has been that way since the early '70's at least. There has been a lot of action in that corner over the years.

The rest of the track is certainly glorious!

Scott

gums

Having driven both, I would say that the Glen features great rhythm, whereas Sears is more cut and thrust. Both are among the very best road circuits in the country.

sugarwood

Patience. Is the common mistake to turn left too early?
Right around 1:14 in the video ?

jlanka

That turn in is pretty standard from what I've seen

ProCoach

MASSIVELY common.

But more than that, not DECISIVELY turning in (like Cory does in this video) and ASKING the car what to do here, instead of TELLING the car what to do.

Also, the fact that as you progress towards the apex, the grip improves and you can add more...

One of my FAVORITE turns of all time.

I wish...

Gary R.

Before the repave, I miss those old curbs!!

DTMiller

Speaking of, last year there was great discussion of the curbs at the bus stop. Did they change them when Indy was there or can I still expect to Dukes of Hazzard it over the entrance curb?

dan212

The first track I ever drove and a love story ever since. From that first look at the glorious soaring view of Turn 1 as I approached the front gate. (oh my god) I have loved this track. Every turn has something special. Which turn is my favorite? Thats like picking your favorite child.

I have nicknames for each turn:
The Esses: Joy (and Sex)
Turn 6: Ballet, perfection and sex
Turn 10: Glorious..Insanity (and hot monkey sex)
Turn 9: Sex
Turn 11: More Sex
OK - a common theme here. And that is the fun.

The various surfaces made it so much fun and it was by far my favorite rain track: Rewarding an understanding of changing track surface, color, light, temperature and more.
I guess I will get used to the new pavement.

gbuff

I was last there late last September and that entry curb was pretty high.....guess I'll find out in a couple weeks at C&S.

Gary

Veloce Raptor

Dan, you nailed it!!!