Just got back from running the new Shenandoah circuit at Summit Point with the New Jersey chapter of BMW CCA.

Approached this event with some trepidation given all the speculation about it being a dangerous track, but registered for the school since I wanted to learn the line before running a timed heat there in three weeks as part of One Lap of America.

Well.... despite the bad press, it is a wonderful track. Yes, it is technically demanding and very busy, but it is a great track on which to learn/improve skills and IT IS A HOOT with some terrific and unique turns.

FWIW, there were no significant incidents at the two-day school. I believe only only a single car went off the track and it would have come right back on had it not gotten stuck in some loose dirt.

If I had a choice between running the main track and Shenandoah, I'd take Shenandoah. Much more challenging and loads of fun.

Neil

For the grammer challenged.
* trepidation.
1. A state of alarm or dread; apprehension. See Synonyms at fear.
2. An involuntary trembling or quivering.

In the few laps I took, my impression was it is not as blind as people have said.
There is a blind crest which is no big deal since it's a straight. Not sure of the name of the high banked turn, but I did not like that. Even though I was in the right seat it was hard for me to look around the turn. In my few laps the multitude of configurations started to confuse me. Lots of off camber stuff. Not sure if I'd recommend it for a 0 time student.

I'd like to see some of the roads marked with cones. Not sure if I will have time for it this year but I do want to try it out.

For the grammer challenged.
* trepidation.
1. A state of alarm or dread; apprehension. See Synonyms at fear.
2. An involuntary trembling or quivering.

In the few laps I took, my impression was it is not as blind as people have said.
There is a blind crest which is no big deal since it's a straight. Not sure of the name of the high banked turn, but I did not like that. Even though I was in the right seat it was hard for me to look around the turn. In my few laps the multitude of configurations started to confuse me. Lots of off camber stuff. Not sure if I'd recommend it for a 0 time student.

I'd like to see some of the roads marked with cones. Not sure if I will have time for it this year but I do want to try it out.

GrammAr :rolleyes

:stickoutt

I wanted to come out this weekend. I had to go to Va. Sat. and I had to watch the Masters today.

Anyway, I hope to try that track soon. :)

GrammAr :rolleyes
Ahhh, that was a typo. Yeah, that's it.
Or maybe it was my NY accent coming back.

Ahhh, that was a typo. Yeah, that's it.
Or maybe it was my NY accent coming back.
Typo my a$$.

Stuff your excuses in a sack mister.


On topic: I'm hitting Shenandoah end of the month....I'm excited!

shenandoah is a fun course. It's not a good competition layout...however the track is technical and good for DE events. A few observations:

1) it is not a very fast track, and is certainly not a horsepower track, it rewards drivers who focus on momentum and doing fundamentals well each and every time...

2) trailbraking and trailing throttle oversteer to rotate the car is paramount on this track...there is a nice mix of low speed corners and some fast sections...

3) there is not so much runoff room, and lots of walls, however it is a safe track...just focus on driving and don't pay attention to the walls...and you should be just fine.

4) track is kinda hard on tires and easy on brakes (comparitively)...there is plenty of grip to be had, and a nice mix of blind corners, off camber, and a unique bowl section that I liked a lot, and a blind crest at the top of which you get a little airborne, pretty cool! :buttrock

overall, a very nice track for what it is...I don't consider this a race track but it is a good test track and great for learning and teaching.

it was fun watching everyone run shenandoah ... i learned alot of stuff this weekend

the ride in the 95 m3 ltw was awesome .. thanks peggy

the course looks so fun

A friend of a friend went this past friday, and hated it. He said half the class left after the second session. He also said stock C5's were dragging their floorpan coming out of the carrousel.

For a proficient student , takes a full day to learn where the line is that you're supposed to be running. Can't imagine figuring that out at a FATT. Also, there are not yet many instructors who have run the course. Mine had and that helped alot!

It is critical where you enter/exit the Karussel (the high banked turn modeled on the famous Nurburgring turn). When you get it right, it is a thrill. I scraped once, but it was because I screwed up.

Neil

i have a credit for a FATT and am using it on May 27th. we are on this track. should be interesting

Just got back from running the new Shenandoah circuit at Summit Point with the New Jersey chapter of BMW CCA.

Approached this event with some trepidation given all the speculation about it being a dangerous track, but registered for the school since I wanted to learn the line before running a timed heat there in three weeks as part of One Lap of America.

Well.... despite the bad press, it is a wonderful track. Yes, it is technically demanding and very busy, but it is a great track on which to learn/improve skills and IT IS A HOOT with some terrific and unique turns.

FWIW, there were no significant incidents at the two-day school. I believe only only a single car went off the track and it would have come right back on had it not gotten stuck in some loose dirt.

If I had a choice between running the main track and Shenandoah, I'd take Shenandoah. Much more challenging and loads of fun.

Neil

great to hear. I cannot wait to give it a try. :buttrock

Yeah, its a very fun and demanding track. Its reminds one of a go-cart track. Twisty and tight.

The first day was not THAT much fun, as you are still learning the line and kinda feeling your way. The track kinda got the best of me that first day. I can see why vette guys would not like it . . . it is NOT a hp track, and a premium is placed on car control, agility and consistency. If they did not take the time to learn the track, I bet they DID hate it.

Once you get the hang of the track its a major hoot and attempting to master it teaches you a lot.

I am not a fan of the bowl. Granted, my right rear tire rubbed at exit, but even if it had not, I just did not find it very much fun. I'd much prefer a moderatly banked turn there.

Because the speeds are pretty low, I don't see the need for a lot more run-off, and think the track is reasonably safe for DE's.

Cool track. Can't wait to do it again with the Ferrari/Maserati club! :redspot

Garrett -

Good meeting/running with you this weekend.

When is the Ferrari/Maserati club going to be there?

Neil

Yeah, its a very fun and demanding track. Its reminds one of a go-cart track. Twisty and tight.

The first day was not THAT much fun, as you are still learning the line and kinda feeling your way. The track kinda got the best of me that first day. I can see why vette guys would not like it . . . it is NOT a hp track, and a premium is placed on car control, agility and consistency. If they did not take the time to learn the track, I bet they DID hate it.



I didn't say the vette guys hated it, I don't know who was driving that c5. The friend in question was in a GT3, and has about 8 DE's under his belt.

Larry

Larry, I misread your post. Thanks. But I think my comments would apply to him, too . . . perhaps even more so. GT3 vs. e36 Thread. (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340836)

It would take a VERY talented driver to hustle a GT3 around that course on his very first outing. I think a well-balanced easy to drive car makes things much easier there.

Neil, it was great meeting you too. The Ferrari event is 4/30.

I'm actually headed down to that track in 2 weeks. From what I hear, you either love it or hate it!

I didn't say the vette guys hated it, I don't know who was driving that c5. The friend in question was in a GT3, and has about 8 DE's under his belt.

Larry


Larry you're vette buddies need stiffer springs if they are dragging floor pans...

a GT3 would do vewry well around shenandoah...in fact so would a C5...but it requires driving the car using lots of manipulation to rotate the car, trailing the brakes almost everywhere on the track.

THEY'RE NOT MY BUDDIES!!! haha. I don't even know them. I just heard that a c5 was dragging the bottom of the car. Damn.

I think a vette or GT3 can do VERY well on ANY track in the hands of a talented guy. I'm saying a beginner/intermediate DE guy who is used to just putting the hammer down and blasting past people on the main course in such cars is going to prolly have issues with The Doah the FIRST time they try it.

I can understand how Larry's vette BUDDY's floor pan would drag if he entered/exited the bowl wrong. A vette has a pretty wide track. If he went in too late or came out too soon - he's gonna srape bottom.

New Jersey Chapter's thread about drivers school:

http://www.njbmwcca.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414

As I drive more, I realize that I have a lot to learn. Any track is intimidating to me at least; but, I think if you set aside the ego and go slowly to learn the proper line, I think people will do fine at shenandoah, etc.

It seems to me, a lot of people overdrive their cars. When I first started, Garrett would lay the smack down on me :( .. but, I became better and Garrett now just kicks my a$$ :( ... but, I never felt compelled to chase him or Jesse. Jesse is also a faster driver than me ... at least on r-comps :stickoutt

But, I don't go out of my way to chase a person down or try to keep up. I stick to my line and the speed I am comfortable carrying. It seems, a lot of people, when they go, they feel compelled to try and show they are a good driver. So, that's why I think some people complain about shenandoah --

Sounds like this is the track I should stick to in my underpowered E30...

Jeff

Yawn

Yawn

ANDREW,
Apparently there are more openings for next weekend's DE with the Riesentoter pca region.

Erik