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      02-17-2012, 09:44 PM   #7
MFGJR
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Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Richmond, VA

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Quote:
Originally Posted by esqu1re View Post
Anybody driven VIR have any tips for the full course layout? The track looks downright scary on youtube.
A few places that warrant special attention:

The lower esses (turn 6), while themselves not a big deal, have the tire walls very close by and consequently you do not want to loop the car here. Just be patient with the throttle entering them (i.e., exiting 5a) and get the car pointed straight before standing on it. And, don't go too crazy running over the curbs.

In the climbing esses (7-8-9) you want to keep the back of the car weighted through the whole sequence. So, between the bridge and bending the car left for the beginning of the esses, pedal back to half throttle so that you have room to add. Then, gradually roll into the throttle the whole way through to keep the back end planted. Apexes are late, later, and even later, and you want to be opening the steering over the hump in the middle of the esses (the site of the infamous R8 crash on youtube--he came in early, tightened his line, and then lifted... no lifting in the climbing esses, especially where the car goes light!) Finally, track out of 9 to only mid-track or less as there's a hump to the left that you want to avoid.

In Turn 10 (aka "Left Hook"), the road falls away starting at the apex, and again you want to have the weight on the back of the car before getting there. So, get your braking over with and be on the gas before the apex. There's a lot of room to track out to the right, but it's hidden until after you apex--use it, but stay inside the curbing.

The dowhill segments on the back of the circuit are pretty intuitive. Exiting the downhill onto the pit straight (17a) provides tons of compression and grip, just don't lift.

Really fun at VIR, just use your head and common sense. DSC is your friend until you get a good feel for the effects of the elevation changes. And, if you have access to an instructor, definitely take advantage of that.
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Last edited by MFGJR; 02-20-2012 at 11:22 AM..
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