VIR oak tree is down....

[A930Rocket]

A sad day at VIR. I drove a thousand times under that beautiful tree.


SoVaNow.com / July 02, 2013
There is no easy way to say this – The Oak Tree is down. The iconic landmark that has come to symbolize Virginia International Raceway has fallen, broken at the base.

“We are in shock and mourning,” said track owner Connie Nyholm. “We’re too busy right now trying to get the racetrack cleared of debris. We are grateful no one was at the corner station or on track when she fell and that there is no damage to the track surface. Tomorrow we’ll begin to get our arms around what this really means, but I can tell you that it means more than any of us want to think about today.”

The massive oak stood sentinel at the south end of the racetrack, looking out from the highest point on the property at the sprawling facility and its 3.27 miles of serpentine asphalt that has come to be regarded as the most challenging in North America, if not the world.

Its branches shaded the apex of the legendary Oak Tree Turn, looking down on the likes of Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen, Tom Kristensen and Richard Petty as well as a host of race drivers from the brilliant to the not so.

“I can tell you this,” Nyholm said, “The Oak Tree will live on in our minds and hearts, and we will give it an appropriate send-off. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to oaktree@VIRnow.com for proper ways to honor this old friend.”

[Zeke]

Looks like it provided some fine shade for the corner workers. That's a shame.

[VaSteve]

Damn. It was an icon..

[Jim Bremner]

Add Tri-tip!

[mattdavis11]

What a shame. I think they ought to replace it with a fake replica, then have a memorial tree signing ceremony.

[Z-man]

Well written article -- I like the way they personified the tree. I've turned around that tree a few times...

-Z-man.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Well written article -- I like the way they personified the tree. [...]

I think the word you're looking for is anthropomorphize

[kach22i]

Oak Tree Turn
http://virnow.com/files/2012/04/SPaddockUtilitiesMap.jpg


http://virnow.com/track/open-test-days/

[widebody911]

That does look like it was a nice tree! There's one similar to that not far from where I live; some day when it goes, I'm sure it's going to wipe out the house right next to it.

[VaSteve]

That turn feels tighter when you're in it.

[Paul_Heery]

It has been a while since I've been there. But, my first thought when I read this story was, "how long has this been a potential hazard?" As long as I remember, the tree has hung over the track. I can't image what would have occurred if this thing had toppled over or branches started falling off during a race.



BTW, when grabbing the picture above, I discovered that you can use Google StreetView for VIR.

[Flieger]

Why did it fall down? Wind storm? Lightning?

[Scott Douglas]

They should get those chain saw carvers to make a car out of the trunk to put at the front gate/office.
I hate to see old trees go down for what ever reason. It takes too long to grow them like that. We lost our tree out on the parkway this past year. Like loosing a good friend.

[TRE Cup]

One of the largest oldest oak trees fell in Encino, on a center parkway dedicated to its location, some years ago. It was just as grand as the one at VIR.

[Zeke]

I'm surprised actually that it was allowed to stand that close to the corner as the safety police have gotten so active as well as the cars getting faster. but, no one will have to make that decision now.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I'm surprised actually that it was allowed to stand that close to the corner as the safety police have gotten so active as well as the cars getting faster. but, no one will have to make that decision now.

It's on the inside of the corner. You'd have to try to hit it.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

It's on the inside of the corner. You'd have to try to hit it.

I'm not here to pick an argument but no part of a corner is immune to offs in a race car.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Why did it fall down? Wind storm? Lightning?

VIR is just north of me...pretty bad thunderstorms have been passing through all week. Nothing major, but some occasional big trees are dropping.
Wonder if they'll "put up a parking lot" ....sad day for VIR.

[Rick V]

A sad day indeed

[VaSteve]

Quote de VaSteve

It's on the inside of the corner. You'd have to try to hit it.

I'm not here to pick an argument but no part of a corner is immune to offs in a race car.

LOL...no.kidding