PanoBlog

This was shot in the dark, from the rear of my camper. The “Covered Grid” is on the right. Drivers waiting to be released to the track are gridded beneath the “roof” (good in the sun or rain!).

The “Grid Barn” is the structure on the left. This building is a restroom with showers attached to the outside wall. This was the first “Flag Shack” the SCCA and the track workers used to store and dispense equipment from (radios and flags) to the Flaggers. As all the other structures at VIR, the Grid Barn is built in a rustic style with exposed beams and naturally finished lumber and timbers. The upper floor is now “living quarters” for VIPs … sweet …

Drivers paddock (park their cars & “rigs”) in the area this is shot from and to the right.  Turn 17 (the final Turn) is just over the hill and the front straight is to the far right.

Something a little different.

This is a mirrorball image of the Flag Station at Oak Tree (Turn 11) at VIR.

This is what the bugs see …

I had to crawl out on the limb to get this pic 😉

A 360° x 180° panorama of the flag station at Oak Tree (Turn 11) at VIR. The Oak Tree is the “signature image” of VIR. With their back to the front right fender of the cars rounding the turn, the Flagger watches incoming traffic from Turn 10 on the right and outgoing traffic to Turn 12 on the left, past the South Paddock. A great place to watch the racin’. The stands outside the fencing, is a favorite of spectators and many photographers lurk inside the fencing. This pic was taken the weekend of the April 2009 Rolex race.

<Click on the pic to open a new window with the interactive pano>

VIR South Paddock Pano. Here’s what the South Paddock looks like on a lonely night.

2008

VIR Lodge “Motel 5 & 6 “. Early January view from the 3rd floor balcony of VIR’s Lodge overlooking Turns 5 & 6. A wonderful place to stay at VIR. Normally my view is back this way from the flag station at Turn 6.

VIR Turn 3. Viewing the front straight, Turn 2 to Turn 5 makes up for being in view of the Control Tower. Flags are hard to see from the track, but CAN be seen if the drivers “want” to. Off courses downstream of Turn 3, into the tire walls give the Pagoda folk a treat.

VIR Turn 17. “Hog Pen” … and it will appear so if cars go off DL in the wet! The flag station provives a good view from Turn 14 to Pit-In.

VIR Turn 14 … in the early evening … HOT! …  the drivers will find the flaggers lurking in the  minimal shadows offered, but we’ll jump out when needed.

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).

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