Circuit Motorsports

So sad

Was just up there a few minutes back and it's down.

Coochas

OMG. Was there some horrible weather????

Circuit Motorsports

We have had a LOT of rain.

Chapel Hill got 4" in about an hour Sunday.

Wasn't very windy at least in the last hour or two.

NaroEscape

Just got an email from VIR about it:




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

morsini

I claim naming rights to the new corner!

Coochas

I hope the corner worker was OK. Their station looks like its right against the tree.

Circuit Motorsports

Noone at the station

multi21

....he was pushed....

Der ABT

just got the email too, this is horrible

Chads996

Very sad. Talk about an icon. RIP Ole' Oak Tree.

C.

flatsics

Glad I decided to go to the race this year. That was a cool turn with the tree right there.
Sad when a big old tree like that goes down.

I still miss the bridge at Road America.

deutschkar

If they don't replant the terrorists win. Or maybe a sculpture of the tree to replace it.

flatsics

SiberianDVM

Oh wow! I was at VIR for the first time just a few weeks ago and driving around that turn was my favorite part of the track.

I'm so glad I got to do that before this happened, and that I have some GoPro video.

They should plant a new tree just as soon as they get the stump out.

Gary R.

Cut it up into small pieces and sell them! Limerock sold and gave away tons of it's original asphalt when they tore it up to repave. "Own a piece of VIR's Oak Tree", I can see the ad now! They should also make furniture, maybe an oak grandstand out of it!