Willow Springs

[findgold]

New 8-race series based at willow

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/art ... icle=50180

[kz2zx]

I am way too much of a pussy to ever race there. Ever.

[speedracer170]

Why is that?

[kz2zx]

I'm guessing you've never been there, Cody?

Turn 8/9 is unholy fast and while it may seem there's an acre of room, at racing speed (170+), in hellacious wind, there's not much room at all. Turn 5/6 I try very hard to never imagine running off (while trying to pick a reference point out of all the skid marks from every racecar driver who's ever driven off that cliff and didn't turn instead).

Turn 2 has very little margin for ham-fistedness whit the throttle. Turn 3 is like racing at a wall of asphalt - no joke, you will whimper 'Mother!' before rolling off the throttle (the first few times. When you get used to it, it's actually fun).

[tuscani451]

I did Keith Code's school at streets, and that track has a few scary turns. I think it's turn 3 that's a steep down hill off camber that turns 180 back up the hill(shudder) I always felt like I was gonna fly off that turn. Crashed at turn 10 there I think, the one right before the SSs. Sound like it could be fun though if it were closer

[findgold]

I take that none of you guys have ever been to road atlanta....
Its not to bad now. But back in the old days..
Well Thats why someone invented air fence..
The old Road Atlanta had/s this long stright that goes down to echo valley the up the hill under the bridge the down the hill (steep) to a reather hard right turn to the pit stright loose it there and you hit the cement wall. very hard.

[findgold]

Also Arroyo is one of the few tracks I have been on where you gear down and not up. even on a litre bike..
You guys have been spoiled -- racing on a short tight slow and very safe track..

[kz2zx]

Kane Lasky said it first, but it's true:

Most racers at Arroyo have no clue how good they have it here.

[blendedfamily]

From what you guys are saying, I should go ride at willow springs....

[Roger@Arroyo]

Big Willow is fun, turn 8 is scary as hell the first couple times, 9 is worse though imho. I actually liked turn 3, best corner on the track.

Worst thing is the speeds, if you crash you're looking at serious carnage at those speeds.

[Super Mario]

I've never raced anywhere but Arroyo. But if I was to go try another track to get the experience of high speed turns. It would be Willow. But I don't see that in my future any time soon.

[kz2zx]

I've never raced anywhere but Arroyo. But if I was to go try another track to get the experience of high speed turns. It would be Willow. But I don't see that in my future any time soon.

I'd pick Miller over Willow. Miller's the first place I ever heard my own revs pick up in the corner (Scream). Faster corner is just that: faster.

[Lucky13]

Kane Lasky said it first, but it's true:

Most racers at Arroyo have no clue how good they have it here.

I have to concur. The price to race the old WSMC series was getting expensive back in the 90s.
That being said, once you get used to the high speeds, it's a real rush with the elevation changes.
Imagine doing average lap speed on an EX500 in excess of 90mph.
With the throttle pinned in top gear, the revs pick up in turn 8 because of the decrease of tire radius.
My best time was low 1:38s on that old bike.

[findgold]

Now if you want to run a fast track try Pocono..I remember seeing 155 on my speedo on my old fzr600 back in 1990 And yes they would go that fast in stock trim and stock exhaust..at sea level.

[adrian06]

Speaking of fast tracks, try Snetterton or Cadwell (if your ever in the UK)those tracks have some turns that suck you in until your screwed. But the one the thing about those tracks is there are world level tracks, and they are hella set up, for speed.

[Lucky13]

Now if you want to run a fast track try Pocono..I remember seeing 155 on my speedo on my old fzr600 back in 1990 And yes they would go that fast in stock trim and stock exhaust..at sea level.

Mine would barely make 140 in turn 8 with pipe and jet kit. I was getting killed by the F2s back then on power and handling. Then again, the altitude is about the same as Arroyo Seco.

[Super Mario]

I've never raced anywhere but Arroyo. But if I was to go try another track to get the experience of high speed turns. It would be Willow. But I don't see that in my future any time soon.

I'd pick Miller over Willow. Miller's the first place I ever heard my own revs pick up in the corner (Scream). Faster corner is just that: faster.

Don't get me wrong Dave, I would love to try Miller but I would have to take more than a fee days off work to go up there. So for now, Willow will do.

[tuscani451]

I liked CVR, felt fracking fast, but ASR has Roger and Tony :-*

[kz2zx]

You hit higher speeds at Arroyo, actually, than CVR. About 132 on my 1K at CVR, about 146 at Arroyo.

[tuscani451]

Really? No kidding, I know I brake harder.......much harder lol