Any chance of returning to Piedmont Dragway in 2014?

Keith Quistorff · **Posted:** Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:49 pm

Just curious about status of our relationship with Piedmont Dragway. We had our inaugural event there in 2012 and haven't returned since, AFAIK. I don't recall any discussion about loss of the site, etc. I thought the venue rocked, as did the other competitors I talked to at the inaugural event - close to the Triangle, interesting layout with lots of elevation change, decent pit area, etc. Any hope of returning in 2014? Would be great to return for an event or two this upcoming season, if possible. Thoughts?

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:07 am

Keith Quistorff wrote:

Just curious about status of our relationship with Piedmont Dragway. We had our inaugural event there in 2012 and haven't returned since, AFAIK. I don't recall any discussion about loss of the site, etc. I thought the venue rocked, as did the other competitors I talked to at the inaugural event - close to the Triangle, interesting layout with lots of elevation change, decent pit area, etc. Any hope of returning in 2014? Would be great to return for an event or two this upcoming season, if possible. Thoughts?

We'll keep it in mind. Honestly I didn't think a ton of people liked it and the attendance wasn't particularly high. But no, we did not lose the site.

Keith Quistorff · **Posted:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:15 pm

JamesShort wrote:

Honestly I didn't think a ton of people liked it and the attendance wasn't particularly high.

Keep in mind that event was announced 12 days before it happened and was scheduled for just 2 weeks after the Jimmy V 2-day autocross - not surprising that we attendance numbers weren't high - BUT, in looking at the attendance numbers for 2012, the Piedmont event pulled in almost exactly the same number of competitors as the Fayetteville event and May, June, and December Danville events - and way more than either of the (2) NCCAR events. Only the Jimmy V event and February Danville event pulled in better numbers.

Interesting you say you didn't think many people liked it - I heard lots of positive comments at the event, and it seemed to be the venue of choice in this thread from a few months ago - http://thscc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13824&p=144152&hilit=piedmont#p144152

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

I think what James is trying to say that the 2014 Autocross calendar is 7 events at Danville and 2 circuitcrosses (crossi?) at NC CAR.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

I liked Piedmont. It had some really good points for a smaller site. On the down side the dips and bumps were brutal for the non-stock cars. I'd go back to Piedmont but if Danville or the NCCAR circuit was available I'd prefer them any day.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:38 pm

Psh, I likely had some of the stiffest springs (in proportion to weight) and sat on a fiberglass seat with no padding. The only spot that was bad was the right hander onto the road that goes out to the end of the drag strip.

(Les is the only one allowed to complain

)

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:22 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

I think what James is trying to say that the 2014 Autocross calendar is 7 events at Danville and 2 circuitcrosses (crossi?) at NC CAR.

Are we done with Crown Coliseum? I didn't particularly care for Piedmont - it was OK- but I can live without it.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:27 pm

I wouldn't get your hopes up on Danville yet, they have notices posted effective until April for the construction going on.

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

I liked Piedmont. Now I'm not sure how many course designs you can make there, but the one we had was fun. I would caution against using that site during the spring or fall for fear of the paddock turning into a quagmire.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Dec 17, 2013 12:50 am

Short's Vietnam?

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Quote:

Psh, I likely had some of the stiffest springs (in proportion to weight) and sat on a fiberglass seat with no padding. The only spot that was bad was the right hander onto the road that goes out to the end of the drag strip.

I drove the Civic there and the bumps didn't bother it at all. I made that comment because I was working near that transition to the last straight and the sounds coming from some of the cars as they hit there was awful crunchy.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:55 am

shawnwhipple wrote:

Quote:

Psh, I likely had some of the stiffest springs (in proportion to weight) and sat on a fiberglass seat with no padding. The only spot that was bad was the right hander onto the road that goes out to the end of the drag strip.

I drove the Civic there and the bumps didn't bother it at all. I made that comment because I was working near that transition to the last straight and the sounds coming from some of the cars as they hit there was awful crunchy.

Doesn't sound like a formula car friendly site.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

I didn't think the site was that bumpy. Was there a huge bump at the END? Yes. We won't do that again.

Right now, I'm trying to work one Piedmont event in for the coming year. We tried to last year but scheduling didn't work out for it. Particularly for the hot summer months, its a great site having the shelter and all.

Danville is still under construction, no finish date set. We are hoping to have an event or two there later in the season, but we'll know more from them after the first of the year.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

The only thing nice I can say about Piedmont are that the bathrooms were fabulous. :-)

Of course my opinion doesn't matter any more so carry on.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:27 am

I liked piedmont. I designed the course and did the best that I thought we could to get some distance(time) and a some what smooth course. It was ok in the Miata but I would not take the cart there. I would attend in the BRZ or steal the RX8

Les Davis wrote:

The only thing nice I can say about Piedmont are that the bathrooms were fabulous. :-)

Of course my opinion doesn't matter any more so carry on.

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