VIR Turn 14 … in the early afternoon … cool … the flags are highlighted in the sun. Drivers are warned of trouble downstream, around the blind turn.
VIR Turn 14. This is the second roller coaster complex. When I first saw it I said Laguna Seca!!! … but then VIR has an advantage over Laguna Seca … it’s only 65 miles from my house! A blind turn coming off the lonnggg backstretch. YeeHa!!!!
VIR Turn 12. This Station provides the opportunity to watch cars go into Turn 11 and make the long trip to the Station, where the driveers ALWAYS wave.
Turn 12 at VIR. VERY, VERY high speeds here, the crest of the backstretch where the front end lifts just before the back end does. Entrance to the South Paddock Course “infield” portion.
VIR’s Oak Tree turn, Turn 11! Actually multiple turns ending in screachin, dirt raisin and leading to the loooooooooooooonnngggg back straight. Drivers think that flaggers here have their backs turned on them, but it’s just that they have screwed themselves into the ground … they’ll unwind after the session. A GREAT place to go eye-to-eye with drivers/flaggers.
Turns 10 and 11 through 12 at VIR. This is the “right foot lockdown complex”. At times the Station just prior to “Oak Tree” is staffed, sometimes the South Paddock Start Stand may be staffed … but always count on someone being at “Oak Tree”. The South Paddock Start Stand may also be used as a “Black Flag” Station.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 10 at VIR. This turn is a roller coaster (the first of two) and “blind” for those going fast enough. It’s very important for drivers to monitor the flagger here due to the diminished sight line around Turn 10.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 10 at VIR.This station is very important for drivers to get signals from, for “unseen danger” over & down the hill. Sometimes back-up flags from Turn 9 are requested.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 9 at VIR. This station is very important for drivers to monitor due to the diminished sight line around Turn 10.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 9 at VIR. This station is located across from the new “Villas” (which weren’t built when this was taken). The Full Course backstretch and a portion of the Patriot Course can be seen from this station.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 7 at VIR. This station is located on driver’s right, just downstream of the Bridge. The Full Course and the Patriot Course are both flagged from the station.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Turn 5 at VIR. This station is a great place to see the front straight into Turn 1 from Start/Finish, thru Turn 3 & 4 … all the way to the “Bridge”. The “Lodge” can be seen to the left of the station.
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
Ok, I’m getting back to this blog “thing”. Still trying to figure out how best to “show off” the panos I put together at random times, of random places.
I guess I should begin with Turn 1 at VIR (Virginia International Raceway www.virclub.com).
<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>
I recently bought a “cheep” film/slide scanner and have been digging negatives & slides out of the basement as the whim strikes me (THEN the whim has to strike me to actually scan them ….). Here are some pics I took at a NASCAR Martinsville race in April of 1982. During the race, I “worked” my way to a position between the pit road exit and the front stretch. I had cars coming at me on both sides! A “Security” person (finally) noticed me ans “suggested” that I come back to a “safer” place. Thank goodness for “astute” security people.
