CMP's new configuration

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:54 am

i liked it. would liked to have seen a complete repave in the original carousel, but still way better than last August. Great event, thanks to Asphalt Ventures. more track time than a body can stand, not that i didn't try.

IBTL :redcool:

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:06 am

I definitely dig the new pavement. I liked the old config better where they changed the course, but I agree that most folks will like the new config better. Stacy runs a top notch group, and it was a great day. More track time than most can stand, which was evident by how much less traffic there was in the afternoon. It was light in the morning and almost non-existent late. Apparently people were running out of tires.

--Donnie

RobLupella · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:57 am

steve remchak wrote:

i liked it. would liked to have seen a complete repave in the original carousel, but still way better than last August. Great event, thanks to Asphalt Ventures. more track time than a body can stand, not that i didn't try.

IBTL :redcool:

Could you tell how good the surface was at speed? Since you took the Vette, I don't think that its tires even work below 70mph. :wink:

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:03 pm

RobLupella wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

i liked it. would liked to have seen a complete repave in the original carousel, but still way better than last August. Great event, thanks to Asphalt Ventures. more track time than a body can stand, not that i didn't try.

IBTL :redcool:

Could you tell how good the surface was at speed? Since you took the Vette, I don't think that its tires even work below 70mph. :wink:

strange, i don't remember you passing me Rob. as shiny as my car was i would have at least seen your reflection on my hood.

the partial repave in the carousel made for mixed traction areas. not that i was going fast enough to notice.

i will say that my new Michelin Pilot Sport street tires were fairly grippy and predictable at the limit. you know Rob, for when you buy a real track car. :lol:

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:58 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I definitely dig the new pavement. I liked the old config better where they changed the course, but I agree that most folks will like the new config better.

I can't even fathom that anyone liked he old configuration better...especially in a FWD car. The new one just "flows" better IMO. It's 2,000 times better in my car than before.

Donnie, it looked like your car was quite loose coming out of T14. Either that or you're become a drifter.

Great weather, lots of track time, no traffic. A superb event by Stacy for sure. Getting home at 11:00pm and having to work the next day sucks though.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:01 pm

RobLupella wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

i liked it. would liked to have seen a complete repave in the original carousel, but still way better than last August. Great event, thanks to Asphalt Ventures. more track time than a body can stand, not that i didn't try.

IBTL :redcool:

Could you tell how good the surface was at speed? Since you took the Vette, I don't think that its tires even work below 70mph. :wink:

Graham took a few laps in the Z06 and passed me doing over 100 whilst I was driving Mitch's E36. So I know at least Steve's car is fast, just not with Steve driving it.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:57 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I definitely dig the new pavement. I liked the old config better where they changed the course, but I agree that most folks will like the new config better.

I can't even fathom that anyone liked he old configuration better...especially in a FWD car. The new one just "flows" better IMO. It's 2,000 times better in my car than before.

The new config just adds another carousel to me. The other one didn't flow well, but it was still fun.

Quote:

Donnie, it looked like your car was quite loose coming out of T14. Either that or you're become a drifter.

My car was loose everywhere. Most of the driving was done by Brian yesterday, so it may not have been me you saw. But I was plenty sideways when I was driving, so who knows? Gotta get some softer springs for the street tires.

The car was VERY drivable even though it wasn't very fast thanks to the lack of overall grip. But we got some good data and think we know where we need to go.

Heck, we were usually pretty good in 14 compared to 11.

Oh, and one other thing...the change to T14 is WAY better than previous. I forgot about that, and it's a much needed improvement, IMHO. It's taking those other two corners and making them one corner where I liked it better previously.

--Donnie

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

Some video from Monday

Watch VK, Mitch, then Steve go bye-bye :lol:

Why the heck did I have to lift for a Vette on the front straight, Steve?

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:12 am

KendtEklund wrote:

Some video from Monday

Watch VK, Mitch, then Steve go bye-bye :lol:

Why the heck did I have to lift for a Vette on the front straight, Steve?

well Kendt, let's just say i appreciate that lift there buddy. obviously you were getting out of 14 faster than i was.

i had an instuctor tell me one time not to be so quick to give away track position. had you stayed in the gas i might not have caught up to you until much later in the lap. :oops:

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

steve remchak wrote:

KendtEklund wrote:

Some video from Monday

Watch VK, Mitch, then Steve go bye-bye :lol:

Why the heck did I have to lift for a Vette on the front straight, Steve?

well Kendt, let's just say i appreciate that lift there buddy. obviously you were getting out of 14 faster than i was.

i had an instuctor tell me one time not to be so quick to give away track position. had you stayed in the gas i might not have caught up to you until much later in the lap. :oops:

You did head off into the distance pretty quickly!

Guess you have to turn in your Waxer License now :wink:

?

Stacy King · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:33 am

Thanks for the kind words guys...

Now, next time you see me, slap me for what I'm about to say: I agree with something Steve Coleman says

The stop-go-stop-go-stop-go-stop-go feeling of the original T12-T14 complex ruined the flow of the track. I was even one that liked CMP. But after now having driven an alternative, I don't want to go back to the old config. The track now has a MUCH better rhythm throughout the whole track. You're no longer having to suffer through T12-T14 to get back to the 1st part of the track. Most say the new configuration is good for 4-8 seconds a lap with most cars. To me, it FELT like a good 30 seconds a lap quicker. I found myself surprised I was coming up on Start/Finish... and it was a good feeling!

Yeah, Donnie, it is a lot like another carousel, but I don't have a problem with that. It's still challenging and different enough from T5-7 that it's interesting, and it still has enough options through it that it's a LOT like Roebling in that different cars/driving styles will drive it differently.

As for the new asphalt... I think it made a big difference in lots of turns. I especially liked turn 4. It also made a difference in tire wear (lack of proper camber for my RA-1's not withstanding.) Remember too... Brian and Jochen have a plan... and that plan not only includes a complete repave within the next five years, but also MORE track. Think "Watkins Glen boot" after turn 8/9, coming back onto the back stretch just before the kink (I think).

On top of all that, the facility upgrades they have done are outstanding! The new timing tower is now open. It's a little smallish for a classroom, but is still a welcome addition. The day garages are very nice... PLUS I just now found out they have reduced the price of them from $75 a day to $50. Think about it...

Open lapping day: $225
Covered, concrete day garage: $50
Being able to go to CMP and not drive on ONE grain of sand? PRICELESS!!

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:04 am

Just to reiterate, my like/love about the change to T12-T14 is something I consider minor. While I liked the old config a little better, the bigger point is MOST PEOPLE WILL LIKE THE NEW CONFIG A LOT BETTER. I get that! And I want to make sure everyone else gets it. Most will truly love this place now. Between the new facilities and the new pavement, it's a WAY better place to visit. Once they have the condos built, you'll even have a good place to stay close by since they will be for rent as well. I'm strongly considering buying one, in fact.

The pavement in the paddock and garage space is wonderful. They are talking about a kart track sooner rather than later, too. And fully enclosed long term garage rentals. And extra track. Etc, etc. The place is great and it's going to be awesome!

And on top of that, the Asphalt Ventures setup is really great. Try it! You'll love it!

--Donnie

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

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Just to reiterate, my like/love about the change to T12-T14 is something I consider minor. While I liked the old config a little better, the bigger point is MOST PEOPLE WILL LIKE THE NEW CONFIG A LOT BETTER.

Wasn't some of your liking for the old layout from a head-to-head racer's perspective? I'm not one myself (yet! :wink:

) - but it seems like the *huge* variety of lines in the new section and the wider T14 will open up some passing opportunities of thier own.

Another big Thank You to Stacy and AV!

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:34 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

KendtEklund wrote:

Some video from Monday

Watch VK, Mitch, then Steve go bye-bye :lol:

Why the heck did I have to lift for a Vette on the front straight, Steve?

well Kendt, let's just say i appreciate that lift there buddy. obviously you were getting out of 14 faster than i was.

i had an instuctor tell me one time not to be so quick to give away track position. had you stayed in the gas i might not have caught up to you until much later in the lap. :oops:

You did head off into the distance pretty quickly!

Guess you have to turn in your Waxer License now :wink:

?

no i am afraid i have been permanently branded a waxer. given what i plan to add to the garage next, it can only get worse.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:15 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Wasn't some of your liking for the old layout from a head-to-head racer's perspective? I'm not one myself (yet! :wink:

) - but it seems like the *huge* variety of lines in the new section and the wider T14 will open up some passing opportunities of thier own.

That's sort of what bugs me and exactly why MOST people will like it better, all at the same time. The thing is that now it will be easier to pass there. Before it was hard. Very hard. But I liked that. Now you only need to be a little better in one corner or the other and you'll get a run on someone and there won't be much they can do about it. Before you had to be a LOT better than someone in at least one corner and at least a little better in one or two others. I liked that challenge.

But yeah, that's all well and good when you're racing with fairly equal stuff. It's bad when you're at a track day with lots of other people of dissimilar cars and talent levels and tires and all that. Could just make for a big hold up area. Now there's a TON of room to get around cars slightly slower than you.

--Donnie

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