Written by Sean Curran, New Jersey Motorsports Park Track Record Holder.
Written by Brian Edmonds, Gateway Motorsports Park - 2017 SE30 Track Record Holder:
The best thing to do in this corner is to scream "Yee-haw!" and pretend you are a NASCAR driver. T9/T10 is a fun, banked NASCAR oval corner that you don't see every day on road courses... Continue your scream all the way to the start/finish and do it all over again.
Written by Sandro Espinosa "el chupacabra", Carolina Motorsports Park - SE30 Track Record Holder & three-time NASA National Champ.
Whoever tells you this track is no good, is not a real driver and they probably didn't eat enough cereal growing up.
The course layout looks simple, but is actually quite challenging with the up hill and down hill, and a fast, 180-degree corner at the end of the straight. Developing a rhythm is important, and there is no rest for the weary. There is a reason why the nickname for the track is “The Bulls Ring”. The front straight is fast, but relatively short, and can hold speeds well over 100mph.
“A man has got to know his limitations” – Clint Eastwood
I want to help you find the fast way around Sebring in a Spec E30. The line below also generally works for a Miata or other rear-drive small bore car (I’ve driven this in a SE30, Spec Miata and a Spec 944, they all drive similarly), although the shift points will be different. This track is historic and fun, and probably the roughest track you will ever drive.
“If there’s a Heaven on Earth, it’s VIR.” – Paul Newman
Boy was he right! Virginia International Raceway has become my favorite racetrack, hands down. For those of you that have been there you know how well it flows and utilizes the topography of the land, for those of you that haven’t been, think of a better flowing Road Atlanta. The track was built back in the 1950’s so it has that high speed high risk feel, but went through a full restoration when it reopened in the early 2000’s greatly improving runoff and safety. The track has evolved a lot over the years, from repaving and widening, to the loss of the beloved Oak Tree – but it has fundamentally remained true to its roots. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in your back pocket in case you get the opportunity to drive this legendary track.
By Don Stevens
I have actually not driven Road Atlanta in a properly equipped Spec E30. I have driven it in a high performance street E30, my old Alpina C2. While it was capable, it did not have sticky tires, racing pads, or a racing seat. It was also my highly coveted daily driver. Therefore, I was being a bigger pussy than I would be in the SE30.
Having said that, I have instructed there several times and have ridden with some very fast E30 pilots. That being said, we do not instruct even superior students to use exit rumble strips at 5 and 7, nor go flat down the hill through the esses, or flat down the hill through 11. I’ll give you my driver’s ed tips below. You can use these to get your bearings during the first session or two...
