VIR's annual open house is coming up at the end of next month: http://virnow.com/2012/02/07/charity...use-charities/

$25 to drive on the track behind pace car, $10 for passenger ride in Ariel Atom. Looks like it'll be on the North course again, unlike November when they use the full track.

Get there early unless you want a ~1 hour wait at the gate.

 

I spoke with the track manager and as of right now they are gonna run the full course. Myself and the NC Rotaries and the Central Virginia Mazda Club will be in attendance. This is always a great event!

 

cool, I'll be there.

 

Good news if they really do run the full course - love the climbing esses and back straight. Unfortunately they just added Bertil Roos for the whole week on the South course, so they might have to change back to the North for the open house.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of ya there!

 

It has gone back to being just the north course...I'll be there in the bright blue MS3 with the Grand-Am front window banner.

 

Hey guys. Any more info on this? Do we just go and pay at the door? Or do you have to be part of a club? Can I bring someone in the car with me when Im in the track racing?

 

Yes, you just turn up and pay. You pay for one session when you enter the track, then you can buy extra track sessions, a ride in the Ariel Atom etc once you're in the paddock. This is a popular event so I recommend getting there early. First session starts at 9am, but if you arrive at 8:45 there's usually a 45 minute wait to get in. Later it can stretch to over an hour.

This event is running the track behind a pace car, so no "racing", no passing on track. This also mean no tech inspection, no helmets, no rollcages required etc. They'll let any street car on the track, although they encourage the SUVs and minivans to go out last so they don't slow the rest of us down. Passengers are fine.

Don't forget the free session on the go-kart track - helmet is required and supplied for that.

 

Ah. How fast can you go?

 

It's not all about speed - you can have fun clipping the apexes or hanging on through the roller coaster at 60mph. Having said that - top speed depends on how much you can gap the guy ahead of you, and how fast he goes. Last time I hit 110 in 4th gear on the back straight most laps, but that was the full course. I think that if you floor it through 5a/6/6a to the bridge you can probably get to 90 on the North course. You might think the front straight is fastest, but it has a blind rise and a blind kink in it - it's easy to come across the cars ahead of you doing 40mph in that area.

 

Got it. Anyone driving from the raleigh area?

 

Also how long do you get on the corse?

 

I'm driving from the Goldsboro area, we can meet up somewhere. I'm still trying to get some of my group from to go. Also, for each $25 donations you get a 20-30 min session. It really is a good time. Check out my groups FB page to see how many of us will be driving out of Raleigh...
https://www.facebook.com/northcarolinarotaries

 

^ ok I'll let you know. What time you guys are heading out?

 

I should be getting into the Raleigh area right around 7...it's about an hour 15 to get to VIR from the Morrisville Cracker Barrel. That's normally where we meet.

 

Which route do you guys drive? I usually take 501 to Roxboro, but I hate driving through Durham. I'm thinking of taking 40 to Hillsborough, then 86/119.

 

^That's the way I go...I like the drive thru Hillsborough.

 

soooooo my 8 is leaking from my coolant tank hose and neck (where the cap goes) I put some sealant around the neck but still getting lots of coolant coming out the hose. So if I dont figure it out today I wont be able to go!! I cant find a rotary shop around here. Anyone know of one?

 

You wouldn't need a rotary shop for that...you most likely just need a new coolant tank.

 

^thanks for the info. pmed

 

Sorry kinda came in a bit late on this convo....so out of a lot going where is everyone meeting up I'd hate to show up by myself but I'll be driving from Ft. Bragg (Fayetteville)....

 

I guess we can just meet up at VIR, I'm getting ready to head out. I wanted to wait for the track temps to heat up a bit. I'll be in the blue Speed3!

 

Beautiful day at VIR today!

 

Well, that was a blast! Didn't meet up with anyone from here - I was looking for you in an 8, didn't know you had a Speed3. There were a couple of other 8s - one with MD plates and one from Charlotte (hi Pat).

I can confirm that with the right gap you can reach over 100 on the front straight and 90 going under the bridge, and the ariel atom reaches 110 there. Big line of people for the free go-kart ride, and that was great too.

Had a fantastic time; I'll be back for the Holiday Laps on the full course in November.

 

sux that I missed it. It was my coolant tank that was bad. Glad you guys had fun

 

Yeah it really was a great day. Londo I have two 8's...both are out of commission right now though so, the Speed3 handles my track duties as well. Which 8 was yours? I got some shots on track of a red Series2 8 on track.