[racer]

I just got back from two days at Watkins Glen (Monday and Tuesday) running with Tracquest.

For those who haven't kept up, the Glen will be hosting the IRL in September (the 25th?) and had to make some upgrades to the track.

1) Turn 1 - The gravel trap on the outside of Turn 1 is now paved. Although the transfer from track (on camber) to run off (off camber) isn't ideal, it does allow for more braking before encountering a tire wall

2) The Esses - The curbing at the apexes have been removed and replaced with a flat with a concrete patch. Noticable on entrance and really nice just after transition to the left, and again at the right after the hill.

3) The Bus Stop - Brand new curbing/turtles.. much smoother than before.

4) Off Camber Left - MUCH more paved run off area than I recall, but fear not, track out is still just a few feet from the blue wall.

5) CATCH FENCING! Most noticable when diving into the boot. New fencing on left and right hand sides. Also, after the off camber, you drive through, what feels like, a "fence tunnel"

6) Lots and lots more trees removed to improve sight lines and spectator viewing.


The event? well, free to instructors is always something I like to hear

Quite a roster of cars.. clearly testing for some groups. Among the "supposidly fast" cars:

1) Ferrari powered Spice "lights" car (think 962 styled car, but for the lesser class)

2) 2 1990's vintage Indy Lights cars

3) Caddillac CTS-V, BMW 3 series, 350Z Grand am class cars

4) BRM powered 12 cylinder F1 car (1960s? maybe early 1970s?)

5) Spice/Lola SRP2 class car

Lots of fun. Cracked the 2:18 barrier before I began to cord a tire and called it a day on Tuesday afternoon.

[Jase007]

Dave:

2:18s ... not to shabby Sounds like the changes are some good and some bad. WG is one of my favorites ... I hope they don't screw it up by some of the safety concessions made for CART / IRL or whomever.

Did you get to run with [same group ... not speed] any of the hardware you listed [not the open wheel stuff]?

Hope to be up there in June with HSR.

Jase

[racer]

Originally Posted by Jase007

Dave:

2:18s ... not to shabby Sounds like the changes are some good and some bad. WG is one of my favorites ... I hope they don't screw it up by some of the safety concessions made for CART / IRL or whomever.

Did you get to run with [same group ... not speed] any of the hardware you listed [not the open wheel stuff]?

Hope to be up there in June with HSR.

Jase

Jase:

1) I ran with all the big boys. Clearly some were quick, others seemed to be a bit confused (ie slow) or they were working on some new set ups or new motors.. not sure though. Actually they ran the open wheel cars with us, which suprised me given the speed and weight differences, but it worked out fine.

2) I think overall the changes are for the good - For both driver and fan.

3) It also seemed like more and more paddock is getting paved and some huge bleachers are being installed on the outside of the pit straight.

[Jase007]

Dave:

It can be a lot of fun running with the big boys ... no passing signals and all . I've been surprised in various cars by MUCH faster GTP, GTO, GTU, etc... cars. It all seems to have a a way of working out b/c if you hold the line ... no problems. At HSR Sebring this year ... I watched a faux RSR I was following try to make way for a GTP lite car passing us... the RSR went EXACTLY where the GTP lite was going off line to make the pass. Punted the RSR and cracked the nose piece on the lite car. Totally avoidable incident.

I am surprised they ran the open wheeled cars with you guys. They typically fare much worse in contact with closed wheel cars . They are separated in HSR / SVRA, and it is a good thing to. Last fall SVRA at VIR ... I cut off a lotus 7 turning left into NASCAR ... NEVER saw him as he was behind [below] the other car I let by. Happened to be a friend as well ... we are still friends .... and no, I didn't buy him 4 new tires to replace the ones he flat spotted saving my ass and his nose

Good stuff.

Jase

[APKhaos]

Dave,
I did the first TracQuest event that Todd held at the Glen. I like the way the events are run, and the exotic hardware they attract. Sounds like the standard of exotics is improving too!

As you say 'instructors run free' is a nice plus, but I would have paid willingly had I know ahead of time that I was going to be driving everything from a Ferrari Challenge car to a Lotus Caterham 7. Fantastic event. Wish I could have got back there, but Todd may be running another Glen later in the year, right?

[racer]

Tony - There should be one in October. Check the website - www.tracquest.com

Yeah, the hardware can be fun. I've run with them a for a few years. This years "slow" group was very un exotic - lots of rental sedans, accords, civics etc.. Medium group had a good supply of Vettes, Porsches and BMW's, and that was also true in fast.

I've learned when running with the real race cars to stay on line. They close so fast, they want the assurance that you will stay online and they know to go off line for a pass if they want it.

From my own experience, several years ago, I was running open track at Watkins with 962 (Bill Hawe's Jagermeister sponsored car). I was at the top of the esses when the 962 was leaving turn 1. He caught me as we entered the bus stop. That's some serious closing speeds! I stayed on line and he went off line to pass. I spoke to him afterwards and he said I did the right thing, so I've always done it that way.

Even in a group (fast) that didn't require signals and passing was allowed everywhere (including corners), all the guys gave signals just to make sure nothing bad happened.