Quote:
Originally Posted by Purist
No, MS, i haven't had the privilege of driving VIR. Then again, as informed as you are, you must be familiar with the concept that some stretches of tarmac are excellent for testing, or just for pure driving pleasure, but make for awful racing (unless you're talking about one-at-a-time events).
Given the tightness of the infield, I just don't see it providing good opportunities for racing action with the ALMS cars. The timing is too tight; the straights in that section are too short compared with those on the rest of the lap. The gearing needed for the rest of the lap isn't going to suit the infield section. I could go on, and I don't need to have driven the lap myself to discern these very critical, basic characteristics of a section of track.
Here's a different onboard video, with commentary and telemetry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BbyXWmISXY
My conclusion is, in short, that the infield doesn't really fit in with the rest of the lap, when you're running the Full Circuit apart from that one section. That doesn't mean that the infield is inherently bad, and those sections work fine when running either the North Circuit or the South Circuit. I just wouldn't choose to run either "Grand" circuit layout, nor would I choose to run the ALMS on either of the shorter circuits. |
This stretch of track is no worse than any other part of the track and is better IMO than the turn 3-6 sequence. The infield section also isn't any more "tight" than other parts of the track and the track itself isn't anymore narrow than other parts. There is just as much opportunity to pass thru here as other sections of the track and it's just as technical with some variety in lines to use.
Actually I did not like the infield section at first but came to love it over time.
And also this section of track isn't any worse than any other place the ALMS goes.
I think people have basically taken the Pumpelly comments and run with it on some negative groove without seeing it for themselves in person. To me it's pole vaulting over mouse turds, when this is a major coup for the ALMS, going to a classic track, a beautiful facility and a Sept 15 date which will probably make for perfect weather.