My Ratings, best to worst, and reasons... which may or may not be the same as the others at RST!!!
Lime Rock is the best. It has a wonderful "park" type atmosphere, can you imagine a race track that seats thousands but has no grandstands??? I find that amazing, and I am wondering how many other race tracks in the world have this feature. I think that the setting really makes the place. I also like the track configuration although I do think it is a bit short, and I am not a fan of the only major braking zone (passing zone) being turn 1 "big bend." That does not mean however that it is not feasible to pass on any of the other turns on the track. Oh the other best part of the track is its distinct "rain line." Best weekend to go to Lime Rock is the NARRC runoffs. Full fields, best competition and oh, did I mention foliage? Good luck getting a hotel. If you do make the trip to lime rock make sure you hit up a 2 day weekend vs. a one day event as you will need to two days to learn the track and have fun, not to mention the place is so relaxing, you will want to spend at least 2 days their. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket to sit in on the hill
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Pocono comes in 2nd in my book (clockwise direction running in any of the configurations. Pocono is probably the best track to race if you "have b@!!$" The long straights can be boring and/or frustrating especially if you do not have the top end to compete with the other competitors, you might watch them drive away
The fun part is the very high speed turns into both the infield configurations. The NASCAR turn 1 banking is amazing in both directions, and you will not find a turn like that anyplace else in road racing in the northeast. "Devils Elbow" is a turn to watch out for if running in the counter clockwise direction. A fun but dangerous turn. Pocono ranks number 2 for me but then again I am a little bias as my car has 5 cylinders vs. the competitions 4 cylinders. hummm ya those straights are fun for me (unless by brother is taking off from me
) Pocono's downfall is that the track management/staff is absolutely horrible, and the SCCA Volunteers (although nice) are not well organized. Don't plan on getting a trophy, I have been waiting 2 years now for trophies and still have not seen them also what is the track record??? ya didn't think you knew. Other downfall is for spectating, it is the worst place to spectate, their is no chance of getting up close to anyplace where their is good racing, most of the passes happen on the straights and that is just not much fun to watch. Bring your binoculars. Their is also little to no amenities, (everything is locked up for the NASCAR boys). Best weekend to go to Pocono is the NARRC Double regional in the spring. Most likely you will get the opportunity to run on two totally different track configurations, so if you don’t like one you may or may not have a little more fun on Sunday
The Glenn comes in a close third in my book. The history and once again the scenery is a large plus (great view of the finger lakes). I have run the short course and the long course, both offer multiple passing zones under braking as well as down long straights. The back straight like Pocono can be a tad boring in an IT car, but not for me as again I have that extra cylinder. The track is a fun track to drive although it doesn't have much in the "hold on to your pants" type turns in comparison to Lime Rock and/or the turns offered by Pocono. Amenities at the Glenn also are not that great as most everything is locked up for the NASCAR boys. Biggest downfall to the Glenn is the lack of "local Yellows." If their is an accident more times than not it results in a full course yellow. The track (especially long course) is long and your entire race could end up a yellow flag race. Best bet be in front after the first turn
(That was a joke). Best weekend to go to the Glenn in my opinion is for the “Last Chance” event held in October (?). It is the last event of the year, run the enduro on Saturday afternoon. This is probably one of the best run and most participated enduro’s of the year. Good opportunity for some great track time. Try not to wreak the car in the enduro and run the regional sprint race on Sunday. The last two years they have run a different configuration both days (short track & Long track). Also from what I hear the double regional (last weekend in September?) is also a great event. (Large entries)
Number four on my list would have to be NHIS. NHIS is not a good track to "drive" as nothing links together and in my opinion their is no turns that you need to pray in. The track also has a history of being rather dangerous as their isn't much room for error or you end up in a concrete wall. The track probably gets a bad rap for this but in my opinion it has gone above and beyond the call of duty in making safety improvements. The track probably benefits from good driving and a good handling car more so than the other tracks in the Northeast as it is a lot more technical, low speed track. You will also benefit greatly (probably 2 seconds a lap) by having some sort of LSD. The track is short and tight expect some bumping in turn 3 on the first turn and you can always count on having someone to race with as the cars seem to get a lot less strung out than at the larger tracks. This track is not such a great representation of a true Road Racing track as wherever you look their is a monstrous grandstand staring at you. Most likely empty giving you the feeling like your race really might not be that important. Not a great place to impress your friends or sponsors with your hobby. Best weekend is the “Cheep Date.” two days and two races for the price of one, as it is a double event but entree fee is generally less than a normal 1 day event. Last year they ran 2 different configurations (with and without the south chicane) on each day. The track was unexpectingly a lot different with the addition of the chicane. Not to mention the Canadians come down and show us all up…
Summit Point and Mid Ohio would probably rank very good, however I have not had the pleasure of racing at either track. I have been to both as crew/spectator and would make an educated guess that Mid Ohio was a better facility. Mid Ohio is quite the tow and I am not sure I will make it out their. I really really want to race at Summit Point this year. I wanted to do it last year, but just couldn't afford it. It is a true road racing circuit and would probably quickly jump ahead of NHIS, as long as I could get all that clay off my clothes at the end of the weekend!!!
Nelson Ledges, never been, and haven’t herd very many good things about the place, their for I would probably love the place!!!
Beaverun, Haven’t been their but would love to go. I have herd many great things about the track.
Mosport, is another place I haven’t herd many great things about, but would love to go for the “adventure.”
VIR, I would love to go, as I have herd that this place is “top notch” although I would be afraid of being disappointed with all the hype.
Tremblant should be an addition to the NER circuit as that is an amazing track. I would rank that Number 1 out of any track I have ever been to weather to spectate or race. Although my brother and I totaled my fathers MR2 their we still had a great time, although it was a long ride home!!! But in all actuality that truly is a awesome track. If you ever have the opportunity to go, make the trip, you wont be disappointed. Any chance it will be added to the NER calendar anytime soon???
Also one more track review… 2nd to Tremblant I would rank Road Atlanta. if you have an IT car and you are looking for a great race go to the ARRC. Besides the politics and somewhat inconsistent stewards actions it is a great event. Maybe next year we will see some better stewards, but none the less it is well worth the journey to compete against some of the best IT cars in the country. Oh and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars, we spent a total of about $1,000 dollars including towing from NH, entries for both the sprint race and enduro, food, and lodging. (3 people) We finished 3rd in the sprint race and 4th in the enduro on used tires. Forget the Hype of the “championship” race and go to have fun!!! We did
Raymond Blethen
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RST Performance Racing
www.rstperformance.com
1st and 2nd 2003 ITB NARRC Championship
1st and 6th 2003 ITB NERRC Championship
3rd 2003 ITB ARRC Sprint Race
4th 2003 ITB ARRC Endoro
1st 2003 AS NERRC and NARRC Championships
