New and Improved CMP...

Stacy King · **Posted:** Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:01 pm

New CMP layout... now published on the website:

Construction has begun on it...

This is T14, looks like they've moved the inside corner back about 10 feet or so

Hopefully most of you aren't doing NASA's event there in Feb (cause you'll be with us at VIR...) but I'll be hosting an Asphalt Ventures lapping day there Monday, March 10th

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:13 pm

Cool stuff indeed!!!

They are not far away from painting her black, I would guess roughly a week of good weather and you could have the stone finegraded and paved NO PROBLEM.

Good stuff!!!

Stacy King · **Posted:** Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:27 pm

OK... so I'm a little impatient

Here's a link to the NEWS section of the website...

http://www.carolinamotorsportspark.com/ ... ction.html

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:50 pm

AWESOME NEWS! They planned the work then worked the plan. I can't wait to go back now.

Steve Coleman · **Joined:** Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:50 pm **Posts:** 188

Sorry, but I don't see the big deal... they changed one section, and that's it... an increasing radius carousel... borrrring... still only one section that's a combo... whoopie...

Now they have two whole sections instead of just one that's something other than... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... borrring...

Notwithstanding they have provided the means to split it into two smaller tracks, which hasn't really added much, certainly nothing that wasn't a gimme anyway...

Well, I just checked out the article and it appears they're making at least one other change... at T14... opening up the ridiculously tight hair pin into a not quite as ridiculously tight hair pin...

Am I missing something here... please point it out... I'd sure be happy to be wrong on this one...

Steve 'who expected a lot more from all the talk... hoping the five year plan produces some real track improvements' Coleman

PS: I'll have to admit that any improvement to the paddock area is definitely welcomed...

Stacy King · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:42 pm

Steve Coleman wrote:

Sorry, but I don't see the big deal... they changed one section, and that's it... an increasing radius carousel... borrrring... still only one section that's a combo... whoopie...

Now they have two whole sections instead of just one that's something other than... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... brake hard, turn... borrring...

Notwithstanding they have provided the means to split it into two smaller tracks, which hasn't really added much, certainly nothing that wasn't a gimme anyway...

Well, I just checked out the article and it appears they're making at least one other change... at T14... opening up the ridiculously tight hair pin into a not quite as ridiculously tight hair pin...

Am I missing something here... please point it out... I'd sure be happy to be wrong on this one...

Steve 'who expected a lot more from all the talk... hoping the five year plan produces some real track improvements' Coleman

PS: I'll have to admit that any improvement to the paddock area is definitely welcomed...

Ok Steve "who's only driven CMP once"

So you don't like CMP... a lot of people don't like CMP... lots of us do though, even the old configuration. A lot of people don't like Rockingham either. CMP is a very challenging track for various reasons. And thats part of the draw for me. Every turn on the track has some nuance to it that if not done correctly will produce a less than desirable feeling while driving it. It's much more like golf than any other track we run on... when you get it right, it feels so good you'll suffer through hundreds of times of doing poorly just to experience doing it right one more time. Your description above is exactly what everyone experiences there the first time. But if you give it another shot, you'll find its much more than that.

I'm looking forward to the new configuration as it will add one of the only increasing radius "parabolica" style turns in the southeast. The back half will now have a much closer rhythm to the front/middle of the circuit making for a more exciting and rewarding lap (as opposed to 2/3's of a fun track and 1/3 waiting to get back to the other section.)

-Stacy 'who'll go to CMP by himself if he has to'

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:19 pm

Personally, I think those that hate CMP probably never raced there and only did track days there. It sure does suck if you're doing a track day that only lets you pass on the big straights and you catch someone at the end of the back straight. But for racing, I thought it was great. Kicked ass, in fact. You could definitely pass in those two back corners if you really had the run. You needed a damned good run, mind you, but this is racing...it shouldn't be easy!

As for increasing radius turns, it seems to me there's a good reason why there are few of them...once you get past the initial radius you're now out of the need for handling and into what might as well be a straight anyway. I think it'll end up taking two corners and making them one and that's about all. It'll give you more room for a point by pass at a track day before T14, but that's about it.

Now, if it even helps the perception of the track, then fine. I trust Brian will do a great job in his new role there, personally. He's a really complete racer who cares about one thing...racing.

--Donnie

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:19 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Personally, I think those that hate CMP probably never raced there and only did track days there.

Bingo.

It's actually my favorite place to race. Lots of places to pass. The old layout was hard on equipment, yes. But this can be a good thing. Teaches you how to save the car during something like an enduro.

Steve, paddock facilities? Really? Have you *been* to Summit Point or Roebling? They've paved parts of the paddock at CMP. The buildings are new and air conditioned, and the air conditioning works. It's clean. You don't have to swat insects away from your nether regions while going to the bathroom.

I think some folks have gotten a little spoiled by VIR, with its lush rolling hills and country club setting...

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

I think that's being a bit critical of the new management Steve. They have a 5 year plan. You have to actually give them chance. This is Phase I. I'm sure the guy isn't just made of money and needs to make the phased changes based on budget and expected revenues. This is a start. It's not bad at all.

Another thing in the news story that wasn't in Stacy's original post that I like. "The track will also be doing some asphalt repairs to most of the corners to help reduce tire wear along with additional paving to the paddock roads." I've done CMP once and I thought the surface was bit much on tires. Not to mention that grip felt funky. I'll go with you once a year Stacy. I feel I need to drive that track once every year because it forces me to drive a different track.

I agree with Karl too. After driving and "living" with VIR facilities you get spoiled. It is a country club atmosphere and I do like it. Not to mention I love running full course. Doesn't hurt that it's close to home either... Then you go down to Roebling and see what a track with minimal facilities is. It's easy to say Roebling sux just looking at the facilities. But I like to go there once or twice a year. It's just a fun track to drive.

Now they are paving the access road to hot grid. The pit area at CMP isn't bad. Clean rest rooms. There is plenty of room for you to park Steve, even with a nice utility trailer behind your Miata :wink:

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Definitely adds it to my plans

Any definitive words about the killer gators? I seem to be drawn to them at The Rock and VIR, so far.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:15 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Any definitive words about the killer gators? I seem to be drawn to them at The Rock and VIR, so far.

VIR has killer gators? Where?

--Donnie

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Donnie Barnes wrote:

KendtEklund wrote:

Any definitive words about the killer gators? I seem to be drawn to them at The Rock and VIR, so far.

VIR has killer gators? Where?

--Donnie

Not VIR - I had just heard stories about the ones at CMP. VK did warn me to watch my turn-in at the last part of the uphill esses at VIR - I was flirting with catching the leading edge on the inside.
I also smacked the outside one at turn 3 at the Rock pretty soundly when I was chasing a slow 911.

Stacy King · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:12 pm

Steve Coleman wrote:

Sorry, but I don't see the big deal... they changed one section, and that's it...

To specifically respond to this... its not about WHAT they are doing, it's THAT they are doing it. Hell... even without the track changes, the day garages will make going there almost pleasant in comparison with previous years. That alone should make the track more fun to drive.

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:56 am

KendtEklund wrote:

Not VIR - I had just heard stories about the ones at CMP. VK did warn me to watch my turn-in at the last part of the uphill esses at VIR - I was flirting with catching the leading edge on the inside.
I also smacked the outside one at turn 3 at the Rock pretty soundly when I was chasing a slow 911.

You talking about the gators at turn 10? I run all over that gator

As for CMP, they serve as a great wake up call that you are off line. When you make a lap there with the only two gators you hit are turn 8 and the kink, you can bet it is going to be a good lap.

The paved grid will be a huge bonus! I wish I could make the February race there....

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:13 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Definitely adds it to my plans

Any definitive words about the killer gators? I seem to be drawn to them at The Rock and VIR, so far.

Brian told us, at CMP during classroom, that this was on their list of things to put right.

But as it stands today, yes, some of the gators - at track out, mostly - will rip the steering wheel out of your hands. The one on the left coming out of 14 is especially bad. They're shaped sort of like a sine wave and they are absolutely brutal. CV joint breaking kind of brutal. No idea what Alan Wilson was thinking when he put those in.

THSCC Forums

New and Improved CMP...

Who is online