VIR Newest Addition

[JWilson]

Front Straight Guardrail Update | Virginia International Raceway

1-4-2022 To our Fans and Participants, Please see the picture below as it indicates where we have installed 3 high guardrail with 3 FIA breaks on driver/riders left along the front straight. Thanks, Kerrigan Smith President/COO

virnow.com

Comments?

 

[boike333]

Yikes! not sure I love the look of that. How far off the course do you think it is.

 

[JWilson]

I'm not sure of the accuracy of this picture.

 

[JWilson]

I went off at the kink last year and discovered Metzelers are not only the best TD no tire warmer slick, but also an awesome all terrain tire. My thoughts, I traveled the distance to hit the wall. The exit angle pointed me down the straight more so I would not have had an issue with the wall. Had my angle been different I would of traveled the distance quick. I'm not doing the math here, but 600ft at 150mph happens quickly with very little time for steering corrections and enough braking force to get stopped on a motorcycle in grass.

I don't like it and I don't see how the addition made the track safer.

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Yikes, all that airfence is going to be expensive. At least it's mostly parallel to the track.

Based on what I know of your Metzeler Tire Test, you would have ended up in the barrier, no?

I wonder what the need for that is. Are they planning on building grandstands along the straight? It's progress I guess. Doesn't do anything for us track day guys, but it brings more money in to the track. I'd rather not have it, but I must have been out when VIR called to ask my opinion.

edit - haha you addressed the Metzeler Tire Test issue while I was typing.

 

[JWilson]

Yikes, all that airfence is going to be expensive. At least it's mostly parallel to the track.

Based on what I know of your Metzeler Tire Test, you would have ended up in the barrier, no?

I wonder what the need for that is. Are they planning on building grandstands along the straight? It's progress I guess. Doesn't do anything for us track day guys, but it brings more money in to the track.

edit - haha you addressed the Metzeler issue while I was typing.

At the angle I left no. I have seen many leave the track and crash. Those riders never will make the barrier. Those that somehow can stay up and exit closer to the kink will have to navigate and make steering corrections.

I know other tracks have walls that are closer. I know people ride those tracks. My issue is this is an addition that does not make the track safer.

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

I'm not doing the math here, but 600ft at 150mph happens quickly with very little time for steering corrections and enough braking force to get stopped on a motorcycle in grass.

I might know a thing or two about math but I'm horrible at punching numbers into a calculator. Assuming I did that latter correctly, you would have a hair over 2.7 seconds before you and your bike had a pow wow with the barrier.

 

[JWilson]

Turn 1 Guardrail Upgrade | Virginia International Raceway

9-21-2021 This bulletin is to advise you that the k-rail going into Turn 1 drivers/riders right has been upgraded to three high guardrail as indicated by the red lines below. The guardrail has been extended beyond Station 1 and wraps around to the exit of Turn 1. There is a drive/ride through...

virnow.com

This one doesn't help for motorcycles either.

Adding spectator access is the only thing that makes sense to me on the "why".

 

[boike333]

That is all down right scary……

 

[JWilson]

I might know a thing or two about math but I'm horrible at punching numbers into a calculator. Assuming I did that latter correctly, you would have a hair over 2.7 seconds before you and your bike had a pow wow with the barrier.

Thank you. I knew it was very little time. As much as I hate to admit it or even make this claim, I am an expert at running off the track at TDs. . I have a lot of experience. :-( With that said, runoff distance is your best friend if/when/does happen.

 

[JWilson]

edit - haha you addressed the Metzeler Tire Test issue while I was typing.

Humor and opportunity must be applied always.

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

I went off at the kink last year and discovered Metzelers are not only the best TD no tire warmer slick, but also an awesome all terrain tire. My thoughts, I traveled the distance to hit the wall. The exit angle pointed me down the straight more so I would not have had an issue with the wall. Had my angle been different I would of traveled the distance quick. I'm not doing the math here, but 600ft at 150mph happens quickly with very little time for steering corrections and enough braking force to get stopped on a motorcycle in grass.

I don't like it and I don't see how the addition made the track safer.

Also, I would like to point out that Boike and I do not have to worry about the new barriers.

Our bikes don't do 150mph.

 

[bmart]

I don't understand those barriers at all. Can't vehicles get head on into the end?

 

[boike333]

In for 3/28. As long as work doesn’t get in the way. See y’all there!

 

[bmart]

Anyone have any updates on the barriers?

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

So, multiple people have said these barriers are a non-issue. That's good news!

Now on to the Next Big Change That Could Suck Big Wet Donkey Balls: How is the new chicane at NCBike???

 

[boike333]

NCBike chicane?

I tried to find a pic of the new NCBike chicane layout but was unsuccessful. Anyone know of one, or can you give me a good idea where the chicane is? thanks, Steve

forum.n2td.org

 

[bmart]

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

So after riding it and thinking about it, what's your opinion? We are pondering cancelling NCBike in two weeks. Not just because of the chicane but also because that weekend starts a five-week long string of track weekends. We are thinking it might be better to skip the long drive (and the chicane) and just have a four-week long string of track days.

 

[bmart]

All tracks are better than no track, and I'm already not a fan of chicanes. Road A was better without it, but the easiest to learn/manage. Patriot is better without it and I just suck it up and get passed on the outside by SMs there. NC Bike is better without it and I'm not likely going back there to run it that way. For me, it is the most expensive track day with the longest drive, the hotels are the worst, and it feels like thugville. If I go back, I'm likely to try a hotel further afield from that busy exit on route 95. I may cancel also and planned to check with you guys. I'll post some videos later. Head still pounding.