Anyone driven the new Shenandoah track?
 

There's a new track at Summit Point in West Virginia - the Shenandoah Circuit...

i was thinking of doing a DE down there later in the season but i've heard mixed reviews...

i've heard that's it's quite tight and not well suited for DE - more like an autocross course. People also seem to say that there's very little run off room and the concrete barriers are too close to the track.

does anyone have any first hand experience they'd like to share?

i'm pretty much a newbie to DE (i've only done 3 events) so i thought i'd get some opinions before i commit to heading down there.

thanks in advance!

-Paul

I did a few laps on it last Sunday at the Ferrari of Wash. event. We were behind a pace car and didn't get to go too fast. I thought it was ok, but no chance at all to get the kind of speed you get on the first straight on the main track at Summit. Shenandoah looks pretty technical. Seems every apex is way late. I remember going into a turn, thinking it was time to step on it and the turn just kept coming and coming. The only place I managed to get my rear end to break loose, I wasn't at all worried about hitting anything.

Later, when I watched a 360 Challenge car and a 996 Cup car go at it, the track sure looked a lot faster. Anyway, I am doing full DE's on the Shenandoah the next two weekends and can report more on Monday.

Thanks Rick, i appreciate the feedback. i'd love to hear a full report when you get back!

again, i'm a beginner so if it's really that technical and difficult it may not be worth the 5 hour drive for me.

looking forward to hearing how it goes!

cheers,

Oh, I'd say this is an excellent track for beginners. I'm only in the blue group now and I learned very fast that suspension and driver skill beats horsepower every day. This track will not give you the adrenaline rush I used to get in my 993 at 140 mph, mashing the brakes and barrelling through a corner. You will have to work for this track. I never really felt like I had the hang of things until I did Mid-Ohio, which is a lot more technical than the main track at Summit. I think Shenandoah would be an excellent learning experience.

Some photos from Sunday here.

http://www.dorkiphus.com/porsche/forumdisplay.php?f=45

I was really worried about running it - I have only 2 track weekends under my seatbelt - and hearing about how close the walls were I was worried about it. I did the same event Rick did this past weekend.

After the first slow 2 laps I could figure out which way to turn when cresting the hills and I had a blast. I look forward to doing this again! Your arms will never be stiill, you're turning every three seconds. Way different than the main track.

My brother ran Shenandoah in his Miata. He said that it was very nice for the low hp cars. Momentum wasn't as big of a deal as it is on the main track at Summit Point.

The biggest thing he noticed was the change in the instruction. Nobody *really* knows it yet and people are constantly learning new tricks. The instructors were more open to suggestions on other lines based on his feedback from behind the wheel of his car. Oh, he also said that there was plenty of runoff considering the generally lower speeds.

thanks for the responses! i think i'm going to give it a shot - sounds like Shenandoah isn't as bad as some people have made it out to be.

i'm still a little concerned about how suited my car is for it - it's a stock 930 so 4 spd tranny and lots of turbo lag aren't ideal for a tight track, but what the hell, should be fun regardless.

any thoughts on the carousel? i've heard it's a replica of the Nurburgring. i've also heard of some people bottoming out or scraping on it.... ouch!

cheers,

I did a couple laps with RL and Steve on Sunday. I can say this really looks like a fun track. Seems to go in line with Mid Ohio, since it really isn't a high HP track. Bill Scott seems to incorporate many different turns from other tracks in the US and around the world. The Shenandoah circuit has a couple turns that resemble madness, and a replica of the Nuburgring's carousel. I can't wait for next weekend. :D

we'll give you updates on monday... caroussel looks bumpy but fast

I thought it was fun in the 914 this past weekend...if only they were hotlaps.
I'd say for a beginer driving a 930 it'd be a little to technical, but I don't do track days (have only done the HPDC and this).
I'm sure you'll get a full report from the regulars Monday.
The Caroussel looks fun, just have to hit it right.

here:
http://www.dorkiphus.com/porsche/showthread.php?t=6535

Ignore all the rumors. It is an awesome track - particularly if you're interested in learning how to drive your car. Refer to the Dorkiphus link above for more details.

This track needs to be at the top of every Summit Point regular's Must Drive list.

This track rocks! The cost for making a mistake is higher than some tracks, but it's definately worthwhile to run on it. After the first session, I felt I knew what I should do to run fast/smooth on the track. But knowing and doing aren't the same for me! :eek: Still, it was a lot of fun and I'm going back there this coming weekend. :)

thanks for all the info everyone... looks like i shouldn't pass up the opportunity to check this one out.

as a beginner i'm more than a little apprehensive, but i always told myself i wanted to do this to become a better driver - sounds like this track is just what the doctor ordered!

Be sure to find us and say hello. I looked for your car this past weekend, but I guess I had the weekends mixed up.

I'll be there this weekend in my black '87 (green group). I'll be on the lookout for you guys (Rick and Jim).

Any other pelicans attending? I'd really like to meet a few of you.

I have a guards red, RS clone SC. Can't miss it. Jim has an eggplant early car with a lot of cool decals on it. Can't miss it either.

Which few do you want to meet? :) I will probbaly drop by on Sunday to say hello.

I'm in for this weekend.......Jim get your arm muscles ready for the endless point by's you will be giving me.
MUHAHAHAHAHAHA

Josh we'll keep an eye out for you, but you can't miss us. We're a colorful bunch :D . I'm number 0.

I'll be hunting you all down at some point. This is new to me, only my second DE, so I could use some new pals. Looking forward to it...........

i won't be hard to find