BusaNostra Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) Constructed in my area (northeast). Town of Palmer Mass called Palmer Motorsports park (Just east of Ludlow mass). Here is the layout. They designed the track with friday drag racing (lol). http://i60.tinypic.com/21edt78.jpg The other one was opened last year called Thompson speedway park (South of Connecticut & RI area) http://www.thompsonspeedway.com/track-layouts Limerock is declining....too much competition. These 3 tracks are within 35 to 40 minutes away from me. I can't wait to drive again.....I have to see a specialist this week....hopefully. Edited January 30, 2015 by BusaNostra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I know that the track was still under construction in the video, but rock walls on the turn exits??? and not much runoff. Sorry but that doesn't look too forgiving for high speed driving let alone racing. IMO. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 the rocks & the boulders ! - you need a helmet that can withstand the aircraft carrier catapult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Lottsa nearby trees and sturdy lamp poles to hit also. Hopefully, the final version has been de-fanged a bit. The video was during '13 construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMan Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I raced at Thompson this past October in the Fall SCCA event and at first I hated the track! It didn't appear to have any flow at all. Kind of a point and shoot and mash on the brakes and turn kind of place. With 3 hairpin turns, it was rather funky.................. AT First. In the Second practice session, I found a rhythm to the place. And I started to like the track. I must have loved it after a while because over the weekend, I set three track records and lowered it to 1:18.3 This track suits the Caterham perfectly. Kind of like a Go Cart Track that has very tight turns and a nice long straight to catch your breath. The runoffs are generous and the viewing mounds are nice and high. The paddock area is paved and generous in space. My only complaint was the lack of porta potties. But that is an easy fix. The only other issue is the lack of retail and restaurants in the immediate area. But we have a truck and Wooster is very close. I will definitly go back there. And they have a nice golf course on the grounds! As for Palmer... It is still under construction and the final safety check has to be done by the SCCA. I am sure there will be NO BOULDERS near the track. And Just look at those elevation changes! It is gonna be cool! But I believe it is going to be late summer before they have a sanctioned event. I have good thoughts about both of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brotus7 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I did a track day at Thompson over the summer in my LeMons car and it was pretty fun. Should be alot of fun with the 7 when I finally finish my build. Palmer oughta be interesting. The first track day there is May 8 with Northeast Track Days.http://www.northeasttrackdays.com/ntd/Home.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 It looks like a cruise through a rock quarry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Those rocks will keep you honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Those rocks will keep you honest. Old school road course look no barriers or guard rails.:auto: I'm sure that has changed since the video was made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Good drivers don't need barriers or guard rails. Why when I was a young man we did not need safety gear.......:iamwithstupid: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Croc/Mike Did they have pneumatic tires when you were that young and knew it all??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 (Can't have this much fun now, even in a 7. LOL) When I was around 10-12 years old we lived at the very top of a long and steep New England hill, the kind with run off into chipped granite banks. Our only safety equipment was looking to make sure a car wasn't starting up the hill when we started down. Solid hard rubber (pre-plastic tire days) tires area fast and slide the BEST!! Suspension failure meant the 20penny spike holding the recycled baby carriage or lawn mower wheel onto the 2"X4" axle pulled out or bent. Adult supervision was avoided at all cost. Going to school on Monday without scabs meant you didn't have any fun over the weekend. The only common thread I have found for us who as children loved speed and anything remotely mechanical that would go fast is that we all never outgrew those two needs and still think in terms of what we want to build or drive next. And yes, :iamwithstupid:In actual fact, I was the stupid he's referring to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) When my kids were young, I let them buy dirt bike, go karts, quads, jet skis, snowmobile with my supervision. I think they came out really good and understand their weaknesses & danger. Knock on wood, both are really good driver & never had any accident. Lots of young kids dying driving. I caught them with snowboard jumping on the roof top of my house, pulled by hi-powered snowmobile. I was wondering why every summer I need to replace my rain gutter. The moral of story -- with proper supervision, I think the kids better off to learn & face the danger early. Edited February 1, 2015 by BusaNostra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Whenever I hear someone quote "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" always have to suppress the need to say "and if it kills you did that help you much"? LOL. I'll turn 68 next week and I can pin point at least a dozen old broken bones on any cold morning and working on my cars is a contest between the pain and the fun, but, I have to admit I wouldn't change much if I could go back, it did make me stronger if a bit less flexible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMan Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 This is a Great Cold Blizzard day discussion. As a Skier, Cyclist, Climber and general "I'm up for that!" kind of guy, I can recall the many times I challenged injury for a thrill, and learned a lesson. Yes, I have a few lingering problems... A new hip, and knees that can tell the weather and shoulders that creak..... But I wouldn't trade a single one back! I am afraid, as a sports racer that we need to infuse a little of this "be in the moment" attitude in the new generation. I see young (and old) people who love racing and would actively participate in weekend races,if not for the video games being so good. The SCCA confounded me for years by only allowing 4 people to come into the track as crew. Even if we tried to pay, we couldnt get anyone else in. it was like a private club. What if one of those people caught the racing bug and joined. This year at Thompson, I noticed a change. If you wanted to stop and spectate...... Come on in! About time! We need more people to get into real racing. Yes it is dirty, and smelly, and sometimes dangerous.... But people need to "Get Out There" and PARTICIPATE! Racing on a computer is easy, safe and if you make a mistake....there is the rest button. But that is NOT living! In one weekend I can meet 50 new people, scare the hell out of myself a few times, tell tall tales of heroism, and laugh more in an hour than I laughed in a week at work. George Oh, and by the way..... I walked to school in snowstorms, uphill... both ways! so there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Good drivers don't need barriers or guard rails. Why when I was a young man we did not need safety gear.......:iamwithstupid: Yeah, Croc, can you provide us with a list of the metal and hardware in your body? :seeya: There is a certain level of crazy you can get away with, but once you cross that line you are just a contestant in the Darwin awards program. :rofl: i.e, "hey bubba, watch this." :driving: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Tom, in the south you hear, "Hey! Hold my beer and watch this!"......usually the last words a 'good old boy' speaks. Oh, and I noticed Croc left out the part about the coma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 There was a level of tongue in cheek about my original comment that some people have noticed and completely missed my subtle humor . So to repeat, what I did in my late teens/20s, I would not repeat today. Just as I would be wary of running Palmer in a seven until I see its safety aspects for course design and run off. And yes I set the metal detectors off at airports quite frequently.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 . . . . . And yes I set the metal detectors off at airports quite frequently.... But look on the bright side, Mike......you get to meet all those nice TSA folks. :smilielol5: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Ya Mike/Croc...I bet it gives you goosebumps when those nice tsa folks snap their rubber gloves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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