New track

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
Resolution78
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Re: New track

Post by Resolution78 » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:32 pm

It's near me I was pointed out the layout of the track there going to use by a freind if mine when I was there for an auto x ..... I also Learned they were planning a parking we parking lot for auto x ..... I'm going to try I find out some more of this and stop by track to see if any constructions has started as
I have heard

cuda6666
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Re: New track

Post by cuda6666 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:28 am

I ran with SCCA at both the original track, and the second configuration that incorporated the oval. Both configurations were dangerous, and I saw multiple fatalities at both. The oval configuration was ridiculous because of the steep drop-off as you came onto the banking. I saw one car get a stuck throttle approaching the transition. It must have flown 30 feet into the air before landing nose first in the infield after completely clearing the oval. Whatever they come up with will be better than that.
Subaru Legacy GT #67

"Track time is my enemy"
- Frank Perron

"I remember when sex was safe and racing was dangerous."

zchris
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Re: New track

Post by zchris » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:12 am

Yes Frank, now they will have a stop sign at the transition into the oval. Failing to heed said sign will launch you over the speedway to crash land in the infield. Simple :D
Chris
PS Frank, how old are you?

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brucesallen
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Re: New track

Post by brucesallen » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:32 am

zchris wrote:Yes Frank, now they will have a stop sign at the transition into the oval. Failing to heed said sign will launch you over the speedway to crash land in the infield. Simple :D
Chris
PS Frank, how old are you?
he was racing at the age of 6.
Bruce Allen
The Greased Shadow
"It's all about the fast lap"

cuda6666
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Re: New track

Post by cuda6666 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:39 pm

I won't tell you how old I am except that I'm 1 year younger that Bruce, I started racing (legally) when I was 16, and I've been racing for 51 years. As long as you're not a twentysomething nincompoop, you can calculate my age from that. :D BTW, the incident where the car (Sunbeam Tiger) cleared the oval wasn't really that funny. The seat belts broke, and the driver was killed instantly. At least two of the other fatalities at the old Thompson track were beheadings - one by a barbed wire fence, and one by the hood of the car (Porsche 550 Spyder). Sometimes I wish my memory wasn't so good :cry:
Subaru Legacy GT #67

"Track time is my enemy"
- Frank Perron

"I remember when sex was safe and racing was dangerous."

zchris
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Re: New track

Post by zchris » Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:12 pm

It should be noted so Frank doesn't scare the newbs that safety equipment back then was a joke at best. A roll hoop with little to no support was considered modern equipment. Today with a properly built car, belt bruises are the worst that should happen. I hit the wall at Watkins Glen a couple years back doing 83mph and did not even have a stiff neck. The same could not be said for the car. Always remember, we do this for fun and bragging rights.
Chris

Resolution78
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Re: New track

Post by Resolution78 » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:17 am

zchris wrote:It should be noted so Frank doesn't scare the newbs that safety equipment back then was a joke at best. A roll hoop with little to no support was considered modern equipment. Today with a properly built car, belt bruises are the worst that should happen. I hit the wall at Watkins Glen a couple years back doing 83mph and did not even have a stiff neck. The same could not be said for the car. Always remember, we do this for fun and bragging rights.
Chris

I would drive one of those vintage cars in half a second....... And I'm here for a few reasons .... First and most important ... To be safe second learn to drive my car better third TO WIN.... For this upcoming weekend I'll settle for beating the other guy bringing. His 2012 boss .... 2 of us have registered atleast

cuda6666
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Re: New track

Post by cuda6666 » Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:25 am

Right, Chris. I didn't mean to scare anyone. The point I was making was that today's tracks are much safer than the ones we ran on in the 50's.
Subaru Legacy GT #67

"Track time is my enemy"
- Frank Perron

"I remember when sex was safe and racing was dangerous."

CP
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Re: New track

Post by CP » Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:21 pm

The rumor floating about the NER is that we'll be racing there next season.
-Cy
99 Spec Miata (SM/STU/STL/EP)
2011, 2013, 2014 NER STU Champion

Sean
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Re: New track

Post by Sean » Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:00 pm

I was told at one of those AutoX events that the area up top where the small hill (where the dead end pointing toward the oval track is) will become a parking lot/AutoX track. From the looks of the lines in the grass that I did see, they will be widening the track.

bhoss
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Re: New track

Post by bhoss » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:44 pm

The BOD has been in contact with Thompson for some time and I conducted a site review at the track this morning. I was impressed with the planning that has gone into a revitalization of Thompson and the proposed layout. The new 1.7 mile track will incorporate much of the layout of the old track but also have all of the safety features that we desire - a lot of run-off room with very few solid objects to hit. If these plans come together they expect to break ground this December, pave in May and be open for business in June/July.

I am excited about this "new" track and looking forward to adding it to COM's schedule.
Bill Hosselbarth
COM Secretary 2011
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#49 PC

Grippy
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Re: New track

Post by Grippy » Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:51 pm

Great news Bill, thanks for reporting!
Gordon Andrade
#10 Super C MX-5

Resolution78
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Re: New track

Post by Resolution78 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:39 pm

bhoss wrote:The BOD has been in contact with Thompson for some time and I conducted a site review at the track this morning. I was impressed with the planning that has gone into a revitalization of Thompson and the proposed layout. The new 1.7 mile track will incorporate much of the layout of the old track but also have all of the safety features that we desire - a lot of run-off room with very few solid objects to hit. If these plans come together they expect to break ground this December, pave in May and be open for business in June/July.

I am excited about this "new" track and looking forward to adding it to COM's schedule.
i cant wait to have a home field track......

jstan
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Re: New track

Post by jstan » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:45 pm

That's great news...keeping fingers crossed they open in June/July.

ricker96
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Re: New track

Post by ricker96 » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:32 pm

Very exciting news that COM may race at one of the first real road courses in new england
Can't wait till next season

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