[BeauCoop]

This would be fun event to motor to in a group, not to mention a fantastic day (or two) at the track. For those of you who have seen this level of motorcycle racing, you already know, for those of you who haven't Superbike racing is electrifying, and oh yeah, fast, very fast. This race is much bigger deal than any of the auto events held at VIR, as far as I can tell.

In any case I would be very interested in making this a Mini event and would love to find an intersting route and stopping off points along the way. I've never been to VIR, by the way. Please respond if intersted. See the links below for details.

VIR Main Page:
http://www.virclub.com/

Suzuki Lightning Nationals (doubleheader Superbike event):
http://www.virclub.com/pages/eventInfo03/ama03.htm

[chiph]

I went to this last year, and it is indeed a big event. Lots of vendor tents selling T-Shirts and bike parts. Cars have to park on the grass, the motorcycles get to park on the skid pad (so they don't fall over).

Last year Dunlop was the big tire to have (maybe a spec tire??), and their area had two tractor-trailers full of tires, plus about 10 guys working to change them out. As you might guess, these guys went through a *bunch* of tires -- super soft compound along with high speeds does not equate to long life!

Chip H.

[BeauCoop]

Yeah, my brother used to doing club racing on a 250cc 2-stroke and as far as I recall he would do one 20 minute race and one practice on a set of tires. The rubber is like silly putty. I think the bike developed 80 hp and only weighed about 275 lbs. Amazing!

Is VIR a good track for walk around spectating or do you need to plant yourself in a grandstand? Were the crowds rowdy biker types or just into racing?
BeauCoop

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by BeauCoop
<snip> Is VIR a good track for walk around spectating or do you need to plant yourself in a grandstand? Were the crowds rowdy biker types or just into racing?
BeauCoop

There were some biker types, but since it was superbike, and not HarleyBike the crowd was quite a bit younger - mostly mid-20's. Think "Red Bull", not "Pabst Blue Ribbon".

The course has some very good areas to view from - no grandstands though - it's mostly grass with some bleachers. IOW: bring your chairs & sunscreen. Best locations are near turns 4-6 ("Left Hook") and turns 14-16 ("Roller Coaster") where there's some extreme elevation changes.

Last year they just used the North Course and I was near turn 9 - the riders would accelerate out from under the infield bridge up the hill and through turns 7-10. Very fun to watch.

Here's me just after turn 3.


Chip H.

[mininc]

I am going to try and make the race. We should have a few MINIs from the Carolinas going.

We want to support a fellow MINI owner, Jamie Hacking. Jamie is currently leading the point’s race in AMA Supersport. Jamie lives near Greenville, SC and has attended some local MINI outings.

If anyone is interested in driving up together, please post
. I will bring this event up at next M2C2 (MINI Motoring Club of the Carolinas) meeting.

[BeauCoop]

Jamie Hacking! That's cool he's a Mini owner and that a group is going to VIR to support him. I'm definitely interested and maybe we can get this posted on the events calendar if we get a critical mass of minis. Where are the M2C2 meeting held?
BeauCoop

[presurized mini]

I have just got home from being on the road for a while , and was just browsing the board and saw this post. Hi George, that will be great if you get a bunch of guys together for that event. I hope to maybe clinch the title there all i need is to make 8 points on second place and its over. I will also have my mini there if the Ohlins people get it back to me they have the car doing some prototype suspension stuff,i cant wait to get it back.

[Smokey 4]

Hey Jamie,
Glad to see you back on the board!

Long time no hear. How did the repairs go after the "gate" incident? Heard you were going to beef up the roll cage, after that.

See you around.

[presurized mini]

Hi smokey

Its fixed and good as new. I have the rest of my cage but Iv'e not had the chance to put it in yet. I have not really done much to the car lately other than the 320mm Brembo brakes.

[BeauCoop]

Are there any veteran VIR devotees out there who can recommend choice areas to park and view the Superbike Race at VIR this weekend. I think I'm going up on Sunday, not sure if any groups are going up that day. I've never been to the track but am very cranked up for this race. If there is anyone who would like to go I'm driving up from the Triangle Sunday morning.

[chiph]

BeauCoop -

I'll be there (without my MCS - sob!). I'm going up with some friends on Saturday morning, be there around 10am. Admission is $35 at the gate, or $25 advance at Ray Price Harley-Davidson (they're sold out of the 3-day pass, Friday, and Saturday tickets - but had plenty of Sunday tickets when I was there). The track's website is http://www.virclub.com

Parking will be on the grass, as the skidpad will be reserved for motorcycles (they need the firm surface so they don't tip over). Good locations to watch the race are behind the food barn (turn 3, the "Nascar Turn", IIRC) and the turns after they exit from under the infield bridge. At that point they're accellerating uphill. Earplugs are a good idea, but not required.

Be sure to get a paddock-access pass at the gate, so you can walk thru the pits. I think it's like $5 more, and worth it. Just watching the Dunlop tire crew last year was fun - those guys could do a tire in like 4 minutes.

Chip H.

[BeauCoop]

Chip,
Thanks for the track info. Where is Ray Price Cycles anyway, I might try to save myself a few bucks by getting advance tix for Sunday.
BeauCoop

[chiph]

Quote: Originally Posted by BeauCoop

Chip,
Thanks for the track info. Where is Ray Price Cycles anyway, I might try to save myself a few bucks by getting advance tix for Sunday.
BeauCoop

Seeing as how it's now Sunday morning already, it's probably too late to save you any money... but Ray Price is on South Saunders street in Raleigh. Take I-440 around south of town, then head North towards downtown Raleigh. Turn left at the light just before the top of the hill. It's a 3-story orange building (Ray lives on the 3rd floor, BTW).

Chip H.

[BeauCoop]

Chip,
I found advance tix at a more local dealer in Durham, got the last two for Sunday! Looks like Yates and Mladin qualified a full second faster than the rest of the field, which may not bode well for a real competitive race. I'm about to head for the track, so we'll see.
BeauCoop