NC's first TRUE road course!

Stacy King · **Posted:** Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:16 pm

In case you missed it... NC does indeed have a true, real, road course:

It's located at the new NC Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR) located just north of Roanoke Rapids, right off I-95.

Brad and I went and toured the facility, and got a few laps around this neat little track. It's extremely smooth... no gators or curbing. The track itself in my opinion is very Roebling-esque... but with more character. 2 miles... all the turns are constant radius, with lots of varying radii (unlike Roebling.) There are kinks, and a nice little combo back-to-back left hander that creates a neat double apex turn. The turns seem to be put together in such a way as to create an interesting lap. There is some elevation there... more than Roebling for sure, but there is little in the way of camber (positive nor negative.) The entire length of asphalt is 40' wide, with a maximum of 1/8" grade over 10 feet (for water run off) made to DOT specs. Here are some stills that we took while driving around, but they without any objects for perspective, they aren't really indicative of how the track feels IMO.

We drove the track counter clockwise (it's intended direction I think) and clockwise. Both have pros and cons.

The center itself is very nice... still under construction though. Definitely more research facility than a driving school facility. But still a couple decent size meeting rooms.

I know NASA has two dates already being promoted... but to be honest, I can't see any way a multi-car DE can be run safely there the way it sits. There are no barriers separating the closest parts of the track (notice where the large radius circle nears the straight.) And where there are no barriers, there are some spots with significant ditches.

I'm trying my best to make available the video I took, but having some PC difficulties, and now some uploading difficulty... but I am working on it.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Looks like they gave the Advanced Vehicle Research Center a new name.

http://www.thscc.com/phpBB/viewtopic.ph ... oke+rapids

Stacy King · **Posted:** Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:49 am

Arthur McDonald wrote:

Looks like they gave the Advanced Vehicle Research Center a new name.

http://www.thscc.com/phpBB/viewtopic.ph ... oke+rapids

Yep... I vaguely remember this. In talking with Simon Cobb, the current iteration is almost exclusively financed by the State of NC as an economic development program.

BTW... here's some really crappy video I shot:

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:03 pm

My company placed a bid on the surveying work about two years ago. When I first saw it I was excited then I looked at the proposed topography and noticed those ditches. Clearly it was not designed to be a race track, which is why I didn't mention it two years ago.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Seems like a tease. Not likely we are ever going to drive on it.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:06 pm

At some point they are supposed to have a HUGE vehicle dynamics area (think BIG autocross site) if the place is a success. I was slightly involved (between jobs) when Dick Dell and AVRNC was still running it. I believe it was Dell's idea. As an aside it was interesting seeing hard core conservatives (signed pictures of Bush Jr. on office walls) pitching for g'ment investment money to both Repubs and Dems. Kind of a small scale "stimulus" back in 2005.

Dick

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:17 pm

They have already started to set dates, Nasa-SE has a reservation in June I think.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:14 pm

We need to get that site! Finally, something close to where I live!

BarryStewart · **Joined:** Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:34 pm **Posts:** 24

NASA-SE has two dates, April 10-11 and Sept. 25-26.

Brad Mackey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 27, 2009 2:12 pm

We will be working with NCCAR as they configure the track for HPDE. In the meantime, you can read some of the history of our involvement in the Track Report in the next Heel & Toe.

David Edwards · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:42 pm

I had a nice conversation with Simon Cobb today.

In summary, there will be no wheel to wheel events offered with the exception of HPDE. They are very interested in autox, HPDE, and time trials. The dates are already filling up and rates are currently discounted.

They are also interested in hosting rallyx and possibly stage rally events as they have a large additional property to work with.

Simon is emailing me with their rates tomorrow.

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:26 pm

keep us updated on the rally info david!!!! :lol:

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

David, what are the rally-x soil conditions at the site? Are we looking at solid ground or very sandy soil that would form ruts like we saw at Rockingham?
Of course, if the site is really large we could limit corner radii so that there was less reason to create ruts (Oooooh faaaassst).
Charlie G

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Combination dirt and tarmac event!!!! Please ask!!!

David Edwards · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:44 am

I got the rate sheet. I will pass it along to the powers that be. I am meeting with simon next week to look over the site for possible rallyx areas. He said the soil was sand dirt with very little clay. I will be sure to mention the possible dirt/tarmac idea.

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