Last week I drove WGI for the last time before the repave begins. Watkins is undoubtedly my favorite track and I have very mixed feelings about the repave. I LOVE Watkins just the way it is and have learned to use various pieces of that beautiful concrete/asphalt patchwork to my advantage over the years.

I was also sad to see VIR get repaved but after driving it those feelings went away.

I drive a standard Formula Mazda and the event was Group 52. Here's some video from right after lunch on day 2. I like to take advantage of other people digesting and get right out there when the track opens after lunchtime! Really wanted to get my first 57 but it wasn't in the cards. I switched to the stickier GY slick (255) but didn't save them enough for when I got some fairly clean laps. My best was a 1:58.24 which I believe is about 1.6s off from the SCCA record. I feel really good about that. There are two places on track where I might be able to go up one gear on entry (toe, and turn onto pit straight) to gain some time. I also think my entry to the bus stop should be faster and carrying the brake deeper in but I just can't get my head around it.

I'll miss that patchwork forever. Hopefully the 2016 WGI will bring me as much joy.

 

Dave,
THanks very much for posting. Although I haven't driven it in maybe 7 years it brought back a lot of
sweet memories back when I used to frequent the place maybe 3 weekends a year.

 

my favorite track.

With new paving probably have to lift now in the esses

We will see....

When will it be done?

 

I believe the boot is closing soon and will get paved first. I believe that NASCAR will run its usual race on the old pavement 'short' track and then WGI will be closed for the year.

Sigh.

 

Now I dear to go up without lifting with shirty shocks! I'll have to back!

 

There is at least one more PCA DE event on the short course at the end of July, after they close the boot.

 

Not in a Boxster but maybe now it won't be so much like a straight.

 

Just be thankful they are making the investment. Could you imagine a world without the Glen?

 

No!

 

Don't worry, after a few brutal winters with freeze/thaw and snow sitting on the new pavement all winter heaving away, then the thrashing from summer driving will conspire to heave and scrape up the new surface, and they'll be laying concrete patches again in no time....

 

I had the opportunity to have lunch with WGI's president . They are indeed investing heavily, and have laser mapped every millimeter of the track like iRacing does. He assured me it will be identical in every way ...just faster .

 

If would be nice if they made the off camber turn off camber again but I don't see it happening.

 

2/3 of it is still on camber, albeit not a lot

 

I believe this all goes down on the boot section after the six-hour.
Amazing how much speed you carry through T11 Dave!
I'm more interested in how the Boot will grip without concrete. For instance, Dave's slide across the patch wide-line is interesting and probably effective as it stands - guessing that might change next year...

 

The patches of concrete and careful placement of the tires made me feel as though I was privy to a secret.

I guess I will have to learn it all over again.