Greatest tracks in North America? | FerrariChat

Greatest tracks in North America?

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by Juan-Manuel Fantango, Jul 2, 2009.

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  1. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 18, 2004
    14,617
    Full Name:
    Juan
    When I joined the FCA, my goal was to drive the greatest tracks in NA, in particular those with history. Done Sebring, VIR, Daytona, Mosport, Summit Point, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, now comes Road America www.fca2009.com.

    I googled and could not find a ranking system. While this may be somewhat subjective, there must be a list composed by the great racers. Anyone care to share their thoughts? Would it look something like this? Is there such a website?

    1-Laguna Seca
    2-Road America
    3-Watkins Glen International
    4-Sebring International Raceway
    4-Road Atlanta
    6-Indianapolis F1
    7-Daytona 24
    8-VIR
    9-Infineon Raceway
     
  2. Liquid1

    Liquid1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2006
    48
    Metrowest, MA
    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.
     
  3. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    Oh boy, another FUN list! :D

    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
     
  4. cgh1

    cgh1 Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    375
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Chuck Hawks
    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 ©
     
  5. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Mosport should be ranked pretty high.

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

    MWerman Rookie

    Aug 10, 2009
    11
    Northern California
    laguna seca is iconic. definitely up there
     
  7. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

    Mar 26, 2003
    3,218
    Bay Shore, NY
    Full Name:
    Andy
    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?
     
  8. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    Bruce MacInnes has... a LOT!
     
  9. Rafienva

    Rafienva Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2004
    485
    North Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Ralph(Rafi) Cestero
    It took me a while! One of my all time favorites!. I sure miss the "Bridge".
     
  10. Mr Payne

    Mr Payne F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2004
    2,878
    Bakersfield, CA
    Full Name:
    Payne
    Is Seca that good? I've heard better things about Infineon & Buttonwillow. These people don't know what they're talking about?
     
  11. Seth Thomas

    Seth Thomas Karting

    Jan 25, 2006
    246
    Atlanta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Seth Thomas
    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
     
  12. cgh1

    cgh1 Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    375
    Charlotte, NC
    Full Name:
    Chuck Hawks
    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 ©
     
  13. Seth Thomas

    Seth Thomas Karting

    Jan 25, 2006
    246
    Atlanta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Seth Thomas
    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.
     
  14. dharmadan

    dharmadan Karting

    Feb 8, 2005
    76
    PA USA
    Full Name:
    dan r
    Anyone been to Grattan, Michigan? And another vote for Mid-Ohio.
     
  15. solofast

    solofast Formula 3

    Oct 8, 2007
    1,773
    Indianapolis
    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...
     
  16. Willybeen

    Willybeen Karting

    Aug 18, 2009
    238
    Vero/Palm Beach
    Full Name:
    William
    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 :)
     
  17. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2008
    2,580
    MD/FL/Philippines
    Full Name:
    Mykol
    +1 (Paul Newman's hometown track) :)
     
  18. drf3576

    drf3576 Karting

    Dec 25, 2006
    176
    Terre Haute, IN
    Full Name:
    Dane Frauenholz
    BANKED: DAYTONA
    ELEVATION CHANGES: ROAD ATLANTA
    SPORTS CAR COURSE: MID OHIO / NELSONS LEDGES
     
  19. ProRallyCodriver

    ProRallyCodriver Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2005
    1,250
    Alexandria, VA
    Full Name:
    Dave Shindle
    Elevation change: Pikes Peak International Hillclimb
    Jumps: Brockway Mountain stage, Lake Superior ProRally
     
  20. John B

    John B Formula 3

    May 27, 2003
    1,564
    NJ
    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
     
  21. NWaterfall

    NWaterfall Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2009
    564
    The Track
    Full Name:
    Waterfall
    + 1!
     
  22. NORTY

    NORTY Formula Junior

    Aug 15, 2008
    541
    CARLSBAD, CA, USA,
    Full Name:
    NORTY
    Riverside Intnl Raceway
     
  23. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    That's 'cause JohnB drives REALLY FAST cars! :D
     
  24. 'ringmeister

    'ringmeister Rookie

    Feb 19, 2009
    17
    +10, bridgehampton was epic. i feel privileged to have gotten to drive there a few times in the late 90s
     
  25. dan360

    dan360 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2003
    2,669
    Boston
    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".
     

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