Palmer

[Stynger]

Some COM board members drove on the new Palmer track this weekend.
IMO the track is going to be great!
I'll let others pipe in with their thoughts, but we are very lucky to have this track in our back yard.

[zchris]

For those that have not seen this link

The video does not do the elevation changes justice. This is going to be Americas rollercoaster track. Some great banking in several corners. If your not going up, you on your way down. And almost always in a turn to some degree. Its gonna be a gas to drive. I walked it when I was there and was impressed how well its coming out. It still has alot of finish work. I have faith Fred will have this whipped into shape come spring time. There is so much to learn on this track it will take time to be fast. Its beeen a long time coming, but Freds almost got it there.
Chris

[jeffw]

A couple of videos from today's visit:

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

[CP]

Great progress since I was there in June where a truck was needed just to get up the unpaved access road.

[Mick]

Here's the view from Turn 7, looking down on turn 10 with turn 1 in the distance. map
This gives a little perspective on the elevation but still doesn't do it justice.

phpBB [video]

[breakaway500]

Interesting they chose to lay out the track counterclockwise as most road courses are run CW (WG,Mt.Tremblant,Sonoma,Road Atlanta,Road America,Mid Ohio,Mosport,Calabogie) Not that it makes any real difference..just an observation. Looks to be a LOT of fun..I think I can see my house in some of those shots...

[DanDarcy]

Mark we ran the track in both directions. It was laid out to run counter clockwise but Fred says they might run it in both directions. I like the clockwise direction better except for one section where i kept feeling I should be turning back onto a section of the track I just can up (Turn12-13)
Cy you still new a pickup for the access road. My Lotus would not be able to drive in. I took my truck but did the track with Bruce Allen in his Corvette.
Track is fantastic I never thought it would be built especially in Mass. Great work Fred

[CP]

Dan: I actually drove up it (and over three temporary bridges) in my lowered S4 not knowing that the small house was home base and made it up to the dustbowl that was T1/2. It was an adventure for sure but I don't think I bottomed it out. Slow and steady.

Running counter- and clockwise would be great if the proper safety precautions and curbing can be installed with appropriate (different) flag station locations for both directions. It would be like having two completely different tracks at one facility. Kudos to Fred for bringing this to life!

[djsteviec]

Here's the view from Turn 7, looking down on turn 10 with turn 1 in the distance. map
This gives a little perspective on the elevation but still doesn't do it justice.

phpBB [video]

WOW! You can really see the elevations with that quick pan, it looks awesome!

And even better- It is only about 1hr from my house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wizzman]

A luke-warm lap with data overlay with Nick F. at the helm. Check out the elevation changes

phpBB [video]

[brucesallen]

Very challenging and exciting track to drive. No autocross-type turns. Blind corners. Decreasing radius corners. Corkscrew. It will take me a long time to master. Completely different track when driven clockwise. More scary downhill. Sam, check your brake pads!

[JackFFR1846]

So will we call events there "Palmer" and "Remlap"?

[Bobc]

That looks like too much fun, Laura and I cannot wait till we get to try it out...
Bob Cairns

[subsonic]

Been a long time since I posted here on COM forums. Miss you guys.

Palmer looks great but am wondering about safety of the track for motorcycles (not to mention cars too). I can imagine a rider cartwheeling down and towards those rocks. Anyone have input about any measures taken for bikes, will bikes even be allowed to run on the track? The general feeling is that if they are allowed, "There will be bikes hanging in some of those trees by mid-summer.

Paul Teasdale

[breakaway500]

No matter how "safe" you make something,someone will always find a way to get hurt. Palmer is all about risk and reward. The risk is greater than many tracks,but the reward is being able to drive on a track like nowhere else I have ever seen,anywhere in the world. I was able to drive Palmer at a good pace recently and it truly is driving Nirvana! Once you drive it,you will understand. We are truly blessed to have this facility available for our use.