Printable View
Yeah, Kevin said it was a one time rocket propelled shot that actually worked, never mind the movie sucked, not that I saw it..
The 4' added only makes the clearance 4 meters, I don't know of any full size rigs that would fit under it, That is less than 13 feet if my metric conversion is close, and anyway once they get on the front straight in race direction there is no access into the infield/paddocks.
Nice try Eakin, no cigar.
Just back from today's media function officially announcing all the changes to be accomplished in June of this year.
I will go out on a limb here and state, for the record, that IF everything explained actually happens as presented the place will be fine in the future.
The "alternative" corners are to be used at the discretion of the track user, the original track layout will be unaltered with the exception of a complete repave.
Tim Mayer of IMSA/ALMS made a statement that he forcasts only 5 additonal seconds in P1 or P2 lap times. That I disagree with vehemently, I can't imagine it being that little. But I have been wrong many times before and may well be now, time will tell as ALMS is to use the new configuation July 11-12, 2008.
The new pitlane is likely to start just past the bridge on a shallow angle towards the corner of B Paddock, runs between the two big trees, which will stay, and the existing earth berm. It is to run through and use the existing false grid which will be expanded to make p the loss of square footage.
The downhill and Big Bend are not to be altered in grade or width. Actually none of the original corners are to be altered, the additional optional corners will not affect the classic Lime Rock configuration.
As I said at the start of this post, IF everything explained today happens as presented, it will be fine.
This in no way changes my essential disagreement with the impetus to do it, but in the event I am satisfied that our home track is not to be destroyed. If my opinion matters at all that is. A group of us dinosauers decided that while the reason is debatable the accomplishment sounds better than expected.
I went to the press conference yesterday for the groundbreaking ceremony ( and free lunch catered by the Interlaken inn) and I agree with Mike, things might not be too bad if Skippy keeps his word. He was hedging his bets. The final plans are dependent on the lab results of core samples taken from around the track which will determine what they can and can't do. Nothing about improvements to the camping area, paddock or drainage issues.
Reading between the lines, ALMS seems to be driving most of these changes and why it's being done in the middle of the racing season instead of in the fall. Track is too fast for LP1 cars, no chance for passing. the new turns will add wide braking zones where passing can occur with wide run off areas if they screw up.
Highlights
The entire track will be repaved, not just the new sections. The concrete pads will be removed. More paved runnoff areas. Downhill section will not be changed.
Track configuration will be chosen by the promoter. ALMS will use the new configuration, Busch (nationwide) will probably use the Classic. Vintage might use one on Saturday and another on Monday.
The new sections will add 5-10 second to lap times, the length will remain about the same.
The chicane will probably still be there but probably not used.
The new west bend configuration will require the current berms and security buildings to be removed. registration will remain for now.
They bought the 19 acres of woods to the left of the infield entrance. They're going to put a new entrance with electronic ticketing machines through there by the ALMS race.
A spectator berm will be put in just before the bridge on the outside of the track new the downhill flag station. Doesn't seem too safe to me.
New Pit in areas by the bridge still under discussion.
The hill overlooking the esses will be cut back to the fence and a retaining wall will be put up. The swamp will be drained and a new section of track (optional) put there.
The hill overlooking noname straight has been cut back to generate fill for the bridge. More cutting will occur to give a view of noname from the main viewing area and to allow for a new straight. The camping area will be regraded to allow better visibility.
picture- Fitch, Ship, Posey
Man, was I ever relieved when I read these amazing words in Mike's post:
"I will go out on a limb here and state, for the record, that if everything explained actually happens as presented, the place will be fine in the future."
Whew !! The first 151 posts in this thread were really worrisome. What would happen to our beloved Lime Rock? How could Skip be so callous and disrespectful......stupid, even? Those wimps with all their Ferraris and Porsches were obviously going to cause the worst desecration in the history of road racing since they stopped racing on the orginal Nurburgring. Ever since F1 ceased racing at Pescara after that magnificent event in 1957 - the year Lime Rock was born - real racers, outraged and disgusted - have been trying to find out precisely who was responsible for that reprehensible decision!
So, as the saying now goes - "NO WORRIES! And what's to complain about? The "wine and cheese" crowd are essentially footing the bill to make LRP practically a world class facility. The track will be paved? Oh my god!!!
The ALMS crowd are no dummies either...their racing will be better by far. And, you know something....an SCCA race using the new sections every now and then might just be a hell of a lot of fun. Try it, you might like it. But, I know: no real racers will dare to enter!
( so, now, Skip: how about lowering the track rental fee for Club events? )
Track is too fast for LMP1 cars?
Anybody know what the difference in lap times are between LMP1 cars and say a Can-AM McLaren M8 or an F5000 car in there glory days? Perhaps lap times are a lot different. But I don't think the terminal velocities were/are a lot different. It's all in the grip you dummy RB99.
John,
You wouldn't expect real racers to drive there now would you?
After all they did raise the bridge a couple of feet and the sky didn't fall......:)
The track record is something like 43.7 seconds ( 1.53 mi) set years ago and the P1 cars are approaching that on a much deteriorated surface. Unless you've seen/driven on LRP, you have no idea how fast that really is. Atlantics are under 50 seconds and the FC record is 50.2 sec (unofficially 49.8 on a test day by one J Treadway).
The old Can-Am and F5000 cars were nowhere near these speeds, mostly due to tire and shock technology.
The Atlantic record is 47.129 by Steve Shelton in a Pro Atlantic race in 1988. The most recent time close is 47.443 by Paul W. LeCain (not I) in 2005.
Agnifilo 1994 47:429 Swift DB4 Na,Na,...Na! :D
Okay time out here.
ALMS races (where the LMP cars run :) ) are 2 hours 45 minutes long. Under FIA rules ( Appendix "O" ) the minimum track length for such an event (considering duration) is 3.5 Kilometers (2.17 miles). Lime is only 2.46 KM long (1.54 miles). Therefore, Lime Rock Park already has to have a "waiver" to run an ALMS event.
The dirty bumbs. Portland had to 'fudge' and add width to a couple of corners in order to meet the min. track length by like a 10th of a mile to keep ALMS coming.. And LRP gets away with a HALF MILE too short??? Ha and double Ha :ha: :ha:
Furthermore, seeing as how perhaps ALMS is pushing for these changes, will the new track length be 3.5 Kilometers? Doesn't look like it.
And further to my further more. Under FIA Appendix "O" I doubt that Lime Rock is even long enough for a full ALMS field based upon cars/mile factor. I think, for ALMS that number would be 36 per FIA.
Oops wrong on that one. Only 28 'official' entry's in ALMS these days.. That's sad :( The Sebring 12H had 33 cars
What is the big issue about the pit lane in. Is the current really that much of a problem?
On another subject, I hear the State of CT is really taking Fitch to the cleaners because his 1700's house had an oil tank leak. My understanding is they were trying to condem his property.
Bob,
a few lap record corrections.
Michael Roe has the "Can Am" record from the dying days of the single seat Can Am days at 44.61, no chicane, 1984, VDS/Chev, but that was in qualifying, officially the Can Am race record is Jacques Villeneuve, the elder, Gilles brother, at 46.93.
F5000 left that class record unofficially at 45.9, David Hobbs in a Lola with a magic special one off Bartz Chev 180' crank shortly banned by SCCA that only lasted 3 laps ! As best I can determine the official F5000 record is 49.6 but that is also qualifying, John Gunn in a Lola T330 in 1972, so maybe the official F5000 race lap record is over 50seconds ?
Someone out there has better research material, and actually cares more than I do, and will correct some or all of this data.
After only driving there once, Lime Rock Park WAS my favorite track before all this crap. I'm all for safety (HANS, Better Helmets/Suits/Cars) but tracks are becoming way too emasculated. What a shame, a new coat of asphalt was all LRP needed.[FONT="][/FONT]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole Morgan
Ok,.....Now I like you Cole. :D
The most recent iteration of the LRP track plans is here:
http://www.limerockclub.com/about_us/track_map.asp
Interesting zig-zag at the start of the uphill...
Am usually not a +1 posting kinda guy, but...Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole Morgan
+1 Slap some new surface on her and be done with it.
The Fox 61 video appears to have been taken on Friday at a combined VSCCA / Club event. All the groups of cars on track were from the VSCCA time. The Porche and Miata were the only cars out during the Club time Friday, OK well a Lotus when out for a few laps and there was a second Miata. I don't remember seeing a file crew so they may have shot it on Saturday, but I wasn't as I broke the VSCCA car Friday - sorry Pops.
Ed
It is from Friday. Played on Fox on the evening of the 2nd.
The paving has started up at Limerock, the Club Skippy redo is in full swing. I hope the weather cooperates in June so they can do it right.
http://www.limerock.com/content/gallery-photos
mike
I wonder if they will eliminate that dip in pit lane that causes the FF & FC's (and any other very low car) to scrape?
More pic's of "repaving". I've got a real sick feeling in my stomach right now. Kind of like going to an old friends funeral.
http://www.teamjuicyracing.com/forum...ead.php?t=2798
Mike, don't think of it as your friend's funeral. Just imagine that the track is Joan Rivers and the trucks are her plastic surgeon.Quote:
Originally Posted by stonebridge20
Oops, that gave me a sick feeling in my stomach, sorry.:eek:
According to Skippy, the track configuration, Classic or slow, used for an event will be promoters choice. ALMS has already chosen the slow config, does anyone know which track will be used for the NARRC run offs?
I'm hoping for a faster, smoother classic configuration but no one asks me. Do we write someone and make our preferences known?
thanks
mike
Last I heard was that we will use the classic config for the NARRCoffs.
Rob,
NER Assist RE