PCA SDR

John Jr. and I were at Laguna Seca with POC recently, Jr. having driven in from Boulder for this special event. Anyway, on his way back to Boulder, he stopped at Pahrump and was able to drive 4 laps of the new 4+ mile track. The folks at Pahrump said he was driving the "most popular configuration", whatever that was. I thought you might be interested in his first impressions of the new and improved Pahrump!: " a mind boggling array of twists and turns, increasing and decreasing radius turns, blind drop offs a little like the corkscrew at Laguna Seca --- it was the most complex track I have ever driven and the most difficult to memorize --it will be fun, but a real challenge to learn. The longest straightaways are those that were part of the old track. So the new sections are primarily ALL twists and turns! By comparison, Willow, BW, Laguna, and Fontana are all a piece of cake!"
Again, these are Jr's comments. I'm just passing them on for everyone's interest.
It makes sense that the track WAS probably designed to favor the turning capabilities of the Radical.

Well maybe not quite as dramatic as Laguna's "corkscrew" but there is one blind drop into a little gully that catches you off-guard.

No doubt that this track will favor a very light car....There are however many configs possible...The longest being a nightmare of turns and twists. For those used to Willow Springs, or even Buttonwillow, with their landmarks and famous corners, this new monster track will be something akin to being in a hedgerow maze the first 10 laps around.

That si too bad as I was looking forward to some speed at this track but is sounds like it is more of the same or even more tight than the restof the track. Maybe we should run the the old configuration since all of us seem to improve so much anyway from the past two years? I know that will not fly but it is worth a shot!

Kary, There is a configuration that they call "fastest"...This config essentially doubles the length of that back straight....I think Jack has the various configs. When I drove it last week, the long back straight was not open....I think they are worried about excessive speed back there. If it was open, and in a race situation, it would be on par with Willow front straight and maybe faster, although narrower. Without that straight open, this is still a handling track, not a power track.

I have all the configurations. I will compare the so-called most popular one to the fast one on Friday to decide what to use.

Jack,
On paper, the "Fast Track" config. appears to have 3 straights (plus what looks like a very fast section of track between turns #3 and #4). In this config. the new 3rd straight is very long --almost double the front straight and much longer than the straight just before the front straight. To me, this configuration doesn't seem very challenging or instructive.
I'm sure you'll speak to the folks at the track to get their opinion, but our last event was at Willow, The Fastest Track in the West. Don't we want a little change of pace this time? I would vote for the config. that most closely approximates the way the track used to be --just my $.02 .BTW, does anyone know what the config. will be on Friday?

Does anyone have in car video (or links to) of any of the Pahrump configurations? This will be my first trip there. Thanks

David
Since this is a brand new track there is no video for the new section yet, however I always post the best video I can find for each of our away events on the tech page.

http://www.pcasdr.org/tech/index.html

You will find video of the old "standard" track there. Click the VIDEO link just above the track photo and then click "Play video"

If there is new video available before our event I will post it.

I recieved some new pictures from Spring Mountain promotions and have posted them to the Tech page.

http://www.pcasdr.org/tech/index.html

Check out the new track and the four most popular setups.

JHPGT3 wrote:Jack,
On paper, the "Fast Track" config. appears to have 3 straights (plus what looks like a very fast section of track between turns #3 and #4). In this config. the new 3rd straight is very long --almost double the front straight and much longer than the straight just before the front straight. To me, this configuration doesn't seem very challenging or instructive.

I'd have to agree with John on this point: the "Fast Track" configuration looks really fun .... for about 3 laps ..... especially in a lower-HP car (356, 912, 914-4, 924, 944N/A). After about 2 laps of "foot-on-the-floor-in-forth-or-5th-gear... and-DRIFT...DRIFT......DRIFT" I'd start reading the next chapter in Dostievski and zip-tying my left wrist and index finger to the left side-view mirror to allow all the higher HP Instructors to pass me in White/Orange rungroup. California Speedway is enough of a ZZZZZZ in a 944N/A (Flat out in 4th/5th along the front straight and turns 1 and 2 ...... waiting...and waiting.....and waiting...... for turn 3 ........ ZZZZZZZZ.....Ah, the infield: time to wake up and start really driving ).

The Fast Track configuration would be of no interest to me, and I'd stay home and save my time and money for more interesting and technical driving events (Streets of Willow, Buttonwillow, etc.). So, something to consider: lower HP cars like big tracks, too. I know there are few low HP cars at TT's these days. There might be a reason for that...... technical challange vs. flat out speed (Buttonwillow and Streets if Willow being the obvious exception). I'm sure I would have loved Pahrump last year, with that configuration, and I'm sorry I missed it.

Now, if someone were to bank-roll a Euro. 968-Turbo for me to drive.......

Just some ideas from a lower-HP driver. Not bashing anyone here.

DC

Dan Chambers wrote:
......

Now, if someone were to bank-roll a Euro. 968-Turbo for me to drive.......

....

DC

Dan, the only issue with someone bank rolling you is talent is required to get that bank roll and none of us have enough to get the bank roll

Does anyone know what the current situation is for:

Gas, specifically 100 Octane unleaded (ran street gas last time...)
tire service (was at track, but not plan-able)
Flush toilets (wasn't)
food/water/ice (dream on....)



mj

The most popular layout would be the best choice, it has both fast sections and technical. If you want to go fast on long straights buy a mustang...

Holllllly Craaaaaaaaaaap! What a great track! Look at those layouts.
I am SO there!
Which 911 variant wants to get embarrassed first?!
Line 'em up!

Tim Comeau wrote:Holllllly Craaaaaaaaaaap! What a great track! Look at those layouts.
I am SO there!
Which 911 variant wants to get embarrassed first?!
Line 'em up!

What do you want to wager