Shenandoah - safety is our responsibility

[ahastings]

here is a question to those that raced there? I rode a test day and it seemed like the track would be very one lined with almost nowhere to pass, i also heard that from a couple people that raced there. Any more opinions on that aspect of the GoKart track. How about some more posts from those of you that raced last weekend. Would you be comfortable with 35 bikes on that track? Would it be an advantage to be on a 600 vs a 1000, looks like Ryan you didn't race your R1 from the results.

[Ryan125]

The R1 has stock suspension and the shifter was grinding the ground in one turn causing it to shift back into neutral. so when i get that fixed it will be usable. and the R6 handles better. and yes I would be fine with 35 riders on the track at once. cause we arent going 35 wide in to turn one.
 as for the roebling turnouts, shenandoah had larger grids!!! look it up.
  But enough already!!! stop the whining! you dont hear FUSA guys crying about having to run Loudon. A track with ZERO run off in more than a few turns, oh and there's the trees on the edge of the track, oh yeah and that huge boulder 10ft off the track. oh and if you think that the "sponge bob" bairrer is bad loudon has the opening in the nascar wall that you have to go through. So go try that track and come back to the shenandoah and you will be amazed how much safer it looks.
   My point is every track is as safe as you make it! This sport is not safe to start with. just like every track you adjust your speed with the conditions. if there is a section that makes you nervous, adjust your speed. It sounds like some people on here are trying to convince them self. heck in a lil over a month we have daytona. With a wall around the whole thing. and people still get above the white line on the banking and hold it wide open, with only inches to spare, and the fastest trap speeds we see. but no one complains. I guess what Im saying is that this shouldnt be this big of a deal. They spent a lot of money building this track and they arent just gonna re-build it cause some people dont like it. I know you all have heard this one "if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything" we all should be thanking Bill scott for trying to provide a new track to ride on in our region. I am cause now I have 2 tracks to race on 30 minutes from my house ;D

[PJ721]

Ryan125...great post...no matter where we race...or what track...it's still safer than on the street...it's all a personal opinion to race or not... we all should just respect those that decide to race a track or not - and when you do race just go out a with a clear head and be safe - for yourself and fellow riders.

we only have 2 races left for the season here in the MA region...unless you're doing Daytona that is. after that we'll all be doing the same thing...waiting for the schedule to come out for 2006 - and trying to get the money/sponsorship together...schedule time off work...to go out there and do something that most people wouldn't even think of trying..but something that we call fun! IF we picked apart every track...I'm sure they all could be safer. But one mans
money gave us another track to run on...may not be the best - but it's there...and like they said...if you build it they will come.

[HG281]

I like Ryan enjoyed racing at the Shenandoah Circuit. Is it a perfect track? No, but non are. Please remember that as was mentioned many times during the race weekend, "This track is a work in progress". They are looking for our input on improvements to make this track better. If they take our feedback and make improvements we all win. The negative approach will only keep things from improving.

This track has by far the most consistent wet grip of any track I have ridden. I also had 2 crashes and in both cases they were at very slow speeds and I was able to pick the bike up and continue. Regarding passing, there are more places than you can first imagine to pass. I found several while racing and also when passing lapped traffic. It is like any track the more you ride it them more your eyes open up to what is possible.

If you are trying to decide if this track is safe, please just spend a day on it and make up your own mind. Please do not let negative comments blind your own judgement. If you don't feel comfortable, don't race there. If you see things that can make it better speek up.

Joe
#281
HG Racing

[Thumper881]

Hey newbie,
 Of course you liked it. You guys were the big weiners  ;D

[bluedogz]

Having ridden it myself and having the dubious honor of being the only ambulance transport...  :P

Maybe it's because I learned to race at Loudon and so my expectations are different, but I didn't think this track was unreasonable.  Sure, there are places I wouldn't want to run off at 120mph- and look at that- there are measures in place to keep speeds well below that.  There weren't any turns that scared me more than t4 on Main, or heaven help me Loudon's Bowl.

And for those that say, "Well, they should just switch it to Main instead" maybe you should do a little homework on event organizing.  If it were as simple as calling someone up and saying, "Hey, could we use Main instead?" don't you think they'd have done it?

[Thumper881]

Someone else that likes the bowl. The last time i raced there i highsided in turn 6. I hit the wall 2' from the air fence. 3 month's in a chair ,& 4 surgery's later I came to Summit. I've never looked back.I have alot of faith in the MARRC org. If their around I feel safe. Nof said!!

[bluedogz]

You have GOT to learn to avoid breaking things when you crash, Kevin.....   ;D

[dc996duc]

hello all.
i m would like to join and share about shenan. track.
i m AM 129 , new to racing (april was my first track day and june was my first race)so as you can see i m a newB .
i had a total blast at shenandoah and really love the track, yes it is a very europ. track, very technical and a rider track more than a fast bike track..the grip was excellent ,and yes a good physical condition is a plus there..
now is the track safe, not totally, but as CCS said they are working on it  with the owner..
was i scared...not really, was i slow not really either (1'36's ).
Yes the grids were not the usual 40 and plus racers, but the most of the fast guy's were there, and trust me they were coocking !
So overall if the track need more run off, the sponge bob chicane wasnt that bad, not as bad as going into turn 3 and 4 on the main, or even 4 ot VIR (where there is no run off at all)...
i beleive a good grid position  is the key on that track,it is hard to pass, but possible i have been 9 at turn 1 and finish 4..
so as some say , get your own opinion, ride it and then share...if you havn t raced it then i dont see what could be said !
it is the first week end of racing were i see every one go home safe and not in an ambulance...
SO yes i m a newB, yes i had fun at shenandoah and yes i will be there in october..

[Faas73]

My $0.02....

I will never race at the Shenandoah Circuit again, unless I'm making a bid for a championship. The track has excellent grip, and some very cool turns, but the "fun factor" was way down for me. I agree that no track is perfect, but there are tracks that are a whole lot better that are available to me. As everyone keeps saying, every rider needs to be responsible for their safety, and there are plenty of other tracks that give me a much better feeling, and I'll be happy to spend my hard-earned money there.

Scott Snyder and I are seperated by 7 points now for the Am LW Supersport championship. It was a 3 point difference going in. We had an incredible battle the last 2.5 laps of the race, passing each other every few corners. I came out on top just barely, and we both agreed that this track definitely does NOT lend itself to this type of racing. I can only imagine the double-points carrot will not help to improve the situation.

I think everyone ran fairly conservative due to the newness of the track and the fact the grids were WAY down. There were actually races with ONE entry. Everyone that I talked to stated that they were there for the points alone.

I'm with Chris -- you'll see me there in Oct for the double points to tie up the Championship (hopefully). But next year? Nope. I'm gonna get smart then and be responsible for my safety. If Summit management deploys airfence / those synthetic haybales ALL the way around, and not just in the few spots that they "think" someone would be "likely" to hit the wall (have we not learned from Haskovec??), then I might consider it.

-Brad