Myself, Eddie, Adam, Wil, TiDave, Cameron, and the whole PCA PNW gang had an opportunity to run the new race track in our region, ORP (Oregon Raceway Park) this past weekend in Grassvalley, OR. After hearing for weeks about how kick-ass this place was from 2 and 4 wheel enthusiasts alike, I had to see what all the fuss was about for myself!
Ready for a change, I left the NSX at home, and instead drove Eddie's Adrenaline Racing / American Honda SSB National Racing Civic SI during the instructor sessions - which was a refreshing, fantastic, learning experience for me (thanks Ed). When a car doesn't accelerate, stop, or turn to this extent... but you have to make it do it anyway... and deliver fast laps for 30 minutes... and not deliver excuses where that 2 second talent gap is coming from on a new course... well you get the picture!
I further scored seat time in a super-charged Atom, Boxter S, 350Z, and a Spec Miata (which was my all time favorite- In fact I liked Elizabeth's SM so much on this course yesterday.. I've decided that my new years resolution is to build one for myself to run here!!).
Here are the high-lights:
Ready for a change, I left the NSX at home, and instead drove Eddie's Adrenaline Racing / American Honda SSB National Racing Civic SI during the instructor sessions - which was a refreshing, fantastic, learning experience for me (thanks Ed). When a car doesn't accelerate, stop, or turn to this extent... but you have to make it do it anyway... and deliver fast laps for 30 minutes... and not deliver excuses where that 2 second talent gap is coming from on a new course... well you get the picture!
I further scored seat time in a super-charged Atom, Boxter S, 350Z, and a Spec Miata (which was my all time favorite- In fact I liked Elizabeth's SM so much on this course yesterday.. I've decided that my new years resolution is to build one for myself to run here!!).
Here are the high-lights:
- It's a fun club track. John Rating: Fun: 11/10. Overall: 8/10 - so you won't be disappointed. I found it to be more similar to a roller coaster than a typical race circuit. If you are bored with flat tracks, then this is a refreshing change of venue. With the isolation, rolling hills, and clouds- it is also very scenic and a departure from the super concrete monoliths.
- It's relatively low-speed in either CW or CCW configuration. CW lets you experience the negative energy in the bowl and half pipe. CCW feels like a hill climb.
- The drastic elevation changes, off-camber corners, bowl / half pipe in the north loop, etc... make for a very technical, challenging course. It's a true drivers course- and will reward fast drivers more than fast cars in most contexts. It also rewards a huge set of cajonies in some sections (I might even wet my pants in the wet here). Suspension and aero tuning over HP. An NSX would be at home here.
- Once approved for competition by SCCA- strategy will be key. It's relatively narrow, not wide- with a lot of bottle necks. You'll have to time those passes / strategize your race craft carefully to come out ahead. Qualifying positions will really count for something here.
- Not to scare anyone off but like PR, this track may ask for your wallet if you leave the course in most sections and turn out to not be Michael Shumacker. In fact, with the nearest life-lift chopper 30+ minutes away it might ask for your life too. It might not be the best learning track in that respect. If you are a hot foot- line, line, line... smooth transitions, and masterful technique over the basics are going to be essential here.
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