Laguna seca

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by smadsen

Shoulda seen the corkscrew before it got all cleaned up for the IndyCar guys.

What did they change? I think the last turn before the front straight has more runoff now.

[J-Mac]

I’m not sure they changed the track itself, but more so the adjacent grass areas. The ground work was very rough, enough to really fork up an Indy car.

[J-Mac]

The Corkscrew is quite the experience. It’s like jumping out a second story window except you can’t see straight down because your hood is blocking the view.

[wildthing]

Reposting just because...

[smadsen]

In the track re-model for IndyCar in the middle to late 90's (can't remember exactly when) the corkscrew pavement was widened so the radius of the corners were "softened" and the drop off was less abrupt. Turn 9 hairpin was opened up to more of a 90 degree corner. The Turn 1 left hander was a scary flat out that launched a good friend up the 6 foot berm, over the four foot snow fence (with spectators) and he landed right side up in a Cypress tree in his Formula Ford.

The newer iteration of the track is probably safer and more raceable, but it can't ever be 1972 again.

[bmcuscgr94]

Interesting article:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/people/831/with-a-new-surface-venerable-old-laguna-seca-presents-unknowns-to-imsa-drivers/article_1844fffe-0d79-11ef-8a08-7b5c79177cc5.html#tncms-source=mosaic

[GH85Carrera]

It is a fun track. The weather was amazing. Mid July and it was so cool at one point I had to step into the sun and get out of the garage. There was nothing much green to see at all as far as grass or trees.

Eagles Canyon near Decatur, TX has an even more fun (if you get it just right) it is a downhill turn, off camber, down into the canyon, then another turn uphill. It is something like 8 stories of elevation change. I got it wrong twice and went sideways like a drifter. I don't like looking out the side window to see the track!

Ozark International Raceway near Gravois Mills, Missouri is my new favorite track. It is 4 miles long, with over 1,200 feet of elevation change. There is no true straight. The part they call the roller coaster is a blast. In my old 85 911 I enter the first downhill part and it runs to the redline in third gear in a split second du to the hill. Into 4th and stand on it as I hit the bottom, then up the hill and after one flat out topping the hill and feeling the car get loose, I would lift. Once over that hill, pedal to the metal downhill to the next hump, and nail the brakes and back to third.

The hard part is learning the 4 mile long track. After many laps it all comes together.



Nice wide track, and it is a wildlife preserve. A pair of bald eagles are nesting there and they were flying around. Very pretty place, and an awesome track.

[Rtrorkt]

Working turn 5 today for IMSA weekend. Come on out.

[ted]

Heading to Laguna Seca for a sound free/no db limit weekend end of the month.

[bmcuscgr94]

Looks Like a busy weekend:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/sports_and_rec_blog/seeing-red-and-the-other-colors-of-ferrari-at-laguna-seca-as-the-ferrari-challenge/article_4fcee8ca-1488-11ef-80ef-435ec2feb367.html#tncms-source=mosaic

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I guess I never knew there was a laguna at the track. Is it ever seca

Ha, I just looked at the picture before. Seca, yes, very dry

Grandson starts at UC Santa Cruz this fall. First thing thing my wife says is, "Monterey is right next to that, isn't it." I foresee it being much easier to talk her into a trip down there. I need to get some tires for the 911

[smadsen]

Before the track re-model, and I mean back in the '60's thru the early '70's, there was a seasonal mud puddle/arundo swamp of several acres around where turn 2/3 is today. It smelled pretty bad, full of mosquitos, and as I recall at high water, was somewhat close to the track. Hence the name... Laguna Seca. That namesake pond was filled in in the early '80's, I think.

[ted]

Got 45 gallons of 110 should be enough for 4 sound free sessions at Laguna with CSRG next weekend.
Track is 2 seconds faster with new asphalt and improved gators and shoulders.
https://lapsforlaguna.com/

[bmcuscgr94]

https://kingcityrustler.com/imsa-race-weekend-draws-rave-reviews-for-new-track-surface-and-facilities-at-weathertech-raceway-laguna-seca/

[ted]

Ready for Laguna Seca, my race cars are eligible to race 4 sound free weekends a year at Laguna Seca.
Today on the sim running a few hundred laps before we leave for Laguna Seca.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by dw1

Btw, the "Rrrrrraceway Park!" radio spots were so common we did a satirical one for my college radio station (ah, so many years ago....). To get the intro right I had a friend (and fellow member of the radio station staff) talk slowly, recording it on a reel-to-reel, until it sounded "right" when I raised the playback speed. Yes, this was before digital audio.

I can still hear that Alvin and the Chipmunks sounding voice
"ah-ha-ha-ha-ha Rrrrrraceway Park"


Also
"SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY. FIRE BREATHING NITRO BURNING FUNNY CARS!

Those ads were on WABC am radio constantly. Along with them, I also remember Cousin Brucie (and always wants a Cousin Brucie Good Guy sweatshirt).

[thingmon]

Originally Posted by red 928

I just bought a house across the street from a sewage treatment plant.
This morning, I noticed a distinct smell coming from the plant.
That's just not right and I'm getting a lawyer.
Anyone else want in?
There's lots of money to be made, deep pockets!


^^^ sums up what is wrong with America.

Who has the deeper pockets to feed the lobbyists? Bet no state rep comes out of the job with less money than they started with..

Dave

[ted]

Short clip of the Saturday race.
A nice surprise was Sunday morning qualifying on a wet track and seeing Dennis Gray on inside of T9 taking pictures.

[ted]

beautiful track, T 9 photo by Dennis Gray.

[flatbutt]

Enjoy