April 13/14 Seat Time at Shenandoah
 

For those who like Shenandoah, BSR will be doing a Seat Time event there next weekend (April 13/14). Seat Time means you need to be Group 2 certified with BSR (roughly PCAP White+), it's passing anywhere with a point, and there's no instruction.

Don't quote me, but some unofficial things I heard from a reliable source are:

- Will be at least five 20-min sessions per day
- Max of 35 cars (two groups?)
- Start Saturday around 9 AM and finish early afternoon
- Start Sunday around lunch time and finish around 5 PM
- One day will be clockwise, the other counterclockwise

You can register as late as Thursday: http://seat04132013.eventbrite.com/#

I'll be there, and hope to see some of you there too.

I can't imagine running the Shen clockwise - you sure it isn't the Jeff? There's no run-out for that direction--such as running a long (relatively) downhill straight to a 90-degree left turn, with about 20 feet before the wall? Did they install a gravel trap over the winter? Or you could take the "escape route" on the image below into--another part of the track! :shock:

Attachment 35449

^ I'm positive that it's Shenandoah that they plan to run in both directions. A while back, the plan was also run it CW for a FATT, but I don't know if that's still the plan. Apparently, some clubs also race on it CW. I'll do reconnaissance on the safety aspect when I'm out there.

Also, last year the rule was that, for Seat Time, drivers can bring a passenger (over 18 years old, with helmet) and the passenger doesn't have to pay. The passenger can also be another driver. Not sure if that's still the rule.

There's no run off anywhere on the SC. I recall hearing when it opened that it was designed to be run both directions.

You can generally do a Seat Time if you are in Potomac's Blue Group, and routinely get signed off to solo. Just need a letter from the Chief Instructor. No White+ needed...

I wasn't aware of that. Might be worth trying that route, though I personally wouldn't recommend a driver doing Seat Time without White+ experience, since it's passing anywhere, and even many White drivers don't have experience with that.

To each his own. I had about <15 track days when I attended my first Seat Time. Not that I was one of the better drivers, as I surely wasn't. Most attendees had a lot more experience. But co-existing was not a problem; it's all about situational awareness.

Prior to the opening of the Shenandoah Circuit, we evaluated running the SC in both directions. According to Bill Scott (RIP) who briefed us on the circuit, it was designed to be run in both directions. We did not choose the CW direction, mostly because of entry and exit to the carousel. The exit out of the Carousel involved a jump. People occasionally on this board have run the main circuit CCW.

I've run two laps CW and was unable to avoid the jump. I was in a car with three other drivers, and none of them was able to figure out how to avoid the jump either. I don't know if it's even possible, but I'll try more this weekend and will let everyone know if I discover any secrets.

The jump is probably a good opportunity for some neat pictures...





Right up until your suspension breaks.