Greatest tracks in North America?

I would throw Lime Rock on the list. Mid-Ohio is a track I think may meet your criteria, depending on how far back you mean by "history".

Also, don't forget Canadian tracks like Mosport and Mt. Tremblant.

 

Oh boy, another FUN list!

North America? This is based on the number of inquiries I get on how to drive these tracks.

1. Mosport
2. Road America
3. Watkins Glen International
4. Laguna Seca Raceway
5. Lime Rock Park
6. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
7. VIR
8. Road Atlanta
9. Mont Tremblant
10. Sebring International Raceway
11. Sears Point
12. Daytona International Speedway

Important to realize there are a lot of other cool "club" tracks that are more local in nature that are pretty good.

In no particular order:

1. Willow Springs
2. Summit Point Raceway
3. MSR
4. Barber Motorsports Park
5. Grattan
6. Blackhawk Farms
7. PIR
8. SIR
9. Buttonwillow
10. CMP
11. Thunderhill
12. Roebling Road

 

Wow, what a tough list to compile!

And of course, it will always be subject to subjectivity (pun fully intended... )

For me personally, I'd have to put VIR higher on the list. In fact, if you ask me on certain days (like when I'm there), it's my #1.

Personal picks... today, anyway:
1. VIR
2. Sears Point / Infineon
3. Laguna Seca
4. Sebring
5. Road Atlanta
6. Watkins Glen
7. Mosport
8. Mid Ohio
9. Daytona (if history and/or all out top speed takes priority, then this is like #2, 3 or 4)
10. Lime Rock

Of course, if facilities matter... well, places like Lime Rock and Mid Ohio have a little work to do

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
DreamsFulfilled, LLC & rEvolution Performance Driving System ©

 

Mosport should be ranked pretty high.

Grattan shouldn't be on anyone's list. It's like Nelson Ledges with elevation changes.

 

laguna seca is iconic. definitely up there

 

I guess the track still has to be open to qualify for this list but if the list is all time great US tracks Bridgehampton would be my choice. The blind right just under the bridge - done at top speed - does it for me. Anybody here done that corner without lifting?

 

Bruce MacInnes has... a LOT!

 

It took me a while! One of my all time favorites!. I sure miss the "Bridge".

 

Is Seca that good? I've heard better things about Infineon & Buttonwillow. These people don't know what they're talking about?

 

Oh yes. This is a fun list. Here are mine from the ones I have ran

1. Road Atlanta (home track have to put it first)
2. VIR
3. Infineon (Sears Point) full course not NASCAR course, which sucks.
4. Mosport
5. Watkins Glen full course
6. Sebring
7. Laguna Seca
8. Road America
9. Miller Motorsports Park
10. Mid Ohio

 

Well, it's all subjective, right? So, in that light I believe most, if not all (who have driven the tracks they choose) 'know what they're talking about'... it's just a personal choice based on personal experience. That's the beauty of this thread! Seeing everyone's personal preferences.

I prefer Infineon's Full Course over Seca myself because the elevation changes are more aggressive. Laguna Seca has 'the Corkscrew' which is famous and fun, and tends to be a faster track on average than Infineon. Of course, there's the history and the world-wide recognition that goes with Laguna Seca and I think a lot of people weigh that into their choice process.

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
DreamsFulfilled, LLC & rEvolution Performance Driving System ©

 

What he said! I prefer Infineon Full over Laguna any day of the week. The elevation changes are awesome. Just picture racing on a track that has more elevation changes than you local theme park's best roller coaster. The only thing Infineon is lacking is a loop but I don't think our cars would stick to the track for that one. The corkscrew at Laguna is cool and faster than one thinks. The rest of the track is fun but it doesn't create the same excitement first time out like Infineon.

 

Anyone been to Grattan, Michigan? And another vote for Mid-Ohio.

 

Grattan is challenging since you almost never see an apex until you are long since committed. An awful lot if not most of turn in's are blind, and you get a lot of satisfaction when suddenly the apex appears and you are right on it, placed right and your foot deep into it (like cresting the hill after the esses).... In your mind is a fist pump and YES! when it clicks... Since you can't see exactly where you want to be at a distance speed control is also very important there. It is a track where a lot of folks can run in the pack, but it takes a lot of skill to excel at... Really good track but if it was a bit faster it would be a great track.

I vote for Road Atlanta too. Coming out from under the bridge and down the hill in a fast car will always take your breath away...

 

Grattan looks like a blast for the bike and i've heard nothing but good things.

I've ridden beaverun, cayuga, mosport, and Mid-ohio in the past couple years. My favorite thus far has been mid-ohio. I'm sure in a car it would be a ton of fun too.

I think I might have to make the trek up to Road atlanta over the next couple months to enjoy a motorcycle track day there

 

+1 (Paul Newman's hometown track)

 

BANKED: DAYTONA
ELEVATION CHANGES: ROAD ATLANTA
SPORTS CAR COURSE: MID OHIO / NELSONS LEDGES

 

Elevation change: Pikes Peak International Hillclimb
Jumps: Brockway Mountain stage, Lake Superior ProRally

 

Here is the OFFICIAL list.

1. Road America
2. Watkins Glen
3. Laguna Seca
4. Mid Ohio
5. Mosport
6. Road Atlanta
7. VIR
8. Miller Motorsports Park
9. Daytona
10. NJMP Thunderbolt

 

+ 1!

 

Riverside Intnl Raceway

 

That's 'cause JohnB drives REALLY FAST cars!

 

+10, bridgehampton was epic. i feel privileged to have gotten to drive there a few times in the late 90s

 

I'd like to say that before I believe anyone's driven a tough spot flat, I want to see DATA. I've even thought I've been flat somewhere myself only to see the data show a 5% lift

Lots of good lists here, for me this is a combination of:

1. The track, its difficulty and technical challenge.
2. The track the feeling of running fast on it - a technical challenge might not be fun.
3. History. The feeling of driving where stories and history have occurred.

I'd also add 4: "Newness". There's definitely a mistress/affair feel to really enjoying a new track after you've done thousands of laps at your local track. For example many people might have LRP on their lists because of history/location etc, I haven't even bothered to go since they repaved it...

My top 3 in the US would be

Road Atlanta - speed, technical challenge to go fast and lots of commitment required in key places, esp in a GT car. Single seater downforce guys tell me its "easy" - flat from exit of chicane under bridge down 12 along straight, only a lift/downshift for 1...
Mont-Tremblant - 1,2,3 is an awesome challenge, great location, some challenging fast corners, and there is very limited access since Mr Stroll in his infinite wisdom limits it.
The Glen - especially in the Grand-am GT3, seeing the pro traces from 1 through to the end of the esses being flat and trying to work out how to get the balls to be truly really really flat - not in the bar over beer "I'm flat thru there", but "here's the data, I really didn't lift".