Course design for Valleyfair

[MNbiker]

Pat,

How are you coming on the course design for Valleyfair? Are you still planning to use an actual Solo2 Nationals course design, or just design something that's a "Nationals-style" course? I'm asking this for a very specific reason - a number of Board members were under the impression we were using a course design from 2003 Naitonals. I want to make sure expectations are set accurately to people who ask about the event.

Also, do we have accurate dimensions for the lots and any obstacles/features? It would really be valuable to have a map of teh entire site for the planning meeting, so we can locate registration, discuss traffic flow, etc.

Thx!

-Steve

[washburn]

The real deal. I am using the North Course from the 2003 National Championships. One which I enjoyed a great deal. There will of course be some "artistic liscence" taken when setting it up. The geometry of the lot doesn't allow an exact reproduction, but I will make sure it has all the elements, and definately all the feel of the real thing. Steve, you can help me there since you got a couple looks at it already. ;)

I have an accurate map of the site and am laying out the course now. I can bring a map to the meeting for planning. I plan on handing out complete course and grid maps to each entrant when they register.

[MNbiker]

Maybe it will rain all day on May 2nd, so I can experience the North Course in the same conditions as last time!:p Definitely a challenging layout that will be WAY different than anything most local drivers have seen in a while.

What are the lot dimensions at Valleyfair? Several people have asked.

-Steve

p.s. Do we have any rises in the Valleyfair lot, where we can duplicate the "yump" from the North Course?

:D

[phile]

Originally posted by washburn


The real deal. I am using the North Course from the 2003 National Championships.




Who was the designer?

[washburn]

Roger the real.

[phile]

Originally posted by washburn


Roger the real.

Cool. The master himself.

Prepare to be hornswaggled, folks. Roger E. Johnson (currently a Texan) makes courses that are easy to follow. On the wrong line. You won't DNF, but if you don't think ahead and look ahead, you will cheat yourself out of a fast time.

While I *personally* would prefer a Karen Babb "Death by Slalom" course, Roger's course should be just fine.

[dledmo]

Last year there was some discussion about posting course layouts online for user critique. This idea was shot down because it might give an unfair advantage for early course study, which is true. By announcing that the Valleyfair course will replicate the 2003 North Course at the National Championship this may give an edge to those who have already driven that layout. I hope that enough "artistic license" will be taken to mitigate any unfair advantage. Not that a motivated person might not find the course layout somewhere on the internet. Just a thought. Still trying to make my work schedule to get that day off, not all of us have weekends off. :) p.s. no dancing bananas on my posts

[pinhead]

I think this particular course is shown in the November 2003 SportsCar magazine.

I wouldn't worry too much about studying it, it only makes my head hurt to look at it ;) I think all you can do is look way ahead and hope it puts you on the right line :cone:

[washburn]

While the general layout and features are from this course, you will never be able to exactly duplicate it. Anyone who drove it last season will not have any more leg up than anyone else, other than the general direction and layout will be familiar. All acheivable be everyone simply by doing your course walking. Getting that course onto this lot will require a bunch of that "artistic liscence". :)