for a damn good cause.
come out. it doesnt matter what you drive.

no, this isnt open track, you are behind a pace car.

Quote :

"DANVILLE, VA. – Here’s your chance to drive one of America’s finest road racing tracks – VIRginia International Raceway, and help others at the same time. Next Friday, December 7, anyone who donates $25 or the equivalent in toys or non-perishable food items can drive their own car around VIR’s history-filled twists, turns and hills. Motorcycles are welcome and will be grouped separately if there enough, or will be grouped together in a regular session. “Once people see how big a challenge VIR can be at pace car speeds, they appreciate the skills needed to drive it even more,” said track Managing Partner Connie Nyholm. “We are always looking for ways we can contribute to the communities around us and ‘Holiday Laps’ is one way. The experience of driving the same track that challenged Carroll Shelby and the other great drivers who raced here is one bonus that we can give the donors. “Watching people bring their cars for the VIR Holiday Laps here is just as special as watching the great modern and vintage race cars that we get to see at VIR every year. The program lets us give fans a taste of life on the other side of the rail and help the local communities at the same time. We’d like for everyone to be able to experience VIR from the other side of the fence.” For a $25 donation, or the equivalent in non-perishable food items or toys, drivers of any safe road car, truck or van can drive VIR and at least partially experience the thrill of driving on the same track where some of the world’s best race drivers and motorcycle riders compete all year long. Donors for the last five years have all experienced a thrill to last a lifetime, as well as helping others. VIR’s Oak Tree Tavern, the restaurant in the 1840s Plantation Club House, will be open to the public that evening, as it is every week, Thursday through Sunday, with hours expanding for 2008. The Club House features fun dining in the full-service restaurant and the Irish-style Connie’s Pub. Reservations are accepted but not required by calling 434.822.7700, ext. 330. Last year’s Holiday Laps attracted many cars, notably from Miata and Mustang clubs in the Raleigh-area, bringing in $6610 in cash and approximately $2,000 in food and toys at the track, plus $3450 from two WAKG and WBTM auctions for race tickets and other VIR souvenirs, for a total of $12,060, more than a 200-percent increase over 2005 and nearly 60 percent above the year’s goal. An auction by WAKG and WBTM for prizes including race weekend tickets and nights in the Lodge at VIR is also being held, with the proceeds from the auction benefiting the charities. The Plantation Valley Kart Track will be open all day, allowing guests who want to try something a little faster the opportunity to drive the karts on our 5/8ths mile kart track. First opened in 1957, VIR’s first feature race was won by legendary racer and car builder Carroll Shelby. In the years since, VIR has seen stirring drives by some of the best road racers in the world, in cars and on motorcycles. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. Reopened in 2000, VIR hosts a wide range professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing and track events, and is well established as “America’s Motorsport Resort.” In addition to its historic 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America's first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park and Motorsports Technology Park, which includes the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (“VIPER”); the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved natural terrain karting circuit; an expanding variety of on-site lodging (including 45 hotel rooms and the trackside Villas which are for sale); Camp Motorsport for enthusiasts of all ages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR’s calendar for 2008 includes the “Wings and Wheels” air and car show combined with the Historic Sportscar Racing vintage weekend, March 21-23; a new Sports Car Club of America double-national race April 12-13; the April 26-28return of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototypes, plus supporting events; the Stock Car Open Test Day on May 28; The AMA Big Kahuna Superbike National on August 15-17; the October 3-5 GT Live and the KONI Challenge which brings a combination of motorcycle stunts, drifting, track attack and endurance sports car races; all combined with a variety of amateur and vintage road racing throughout the year."

still trying to sort things out with work to see if i can go. i know its kinda of last minute.

[Edited on December 3, 2007 at 10:45 PM. Reason : ]

12/3/2007 10:44:48 PM

what if you pass the pace car?

12/3/2007 10:49:20 PM

^ dude I have gone the past two years. the pace car is fast enough. Last year it was a CTS-V and I was happy to say I kept up with him pretty good (I happened to be directly behind him, second in line) on my stock turbo and upgraded suspension. but you can tell he wasn't pushing it 100%. On the big straight we definately hit 120 but he hit the brakes long before the big downhill at the end, probably before the "5" on the braking zone. It's too bad my car isn't quite ready yet to go back.

if you did attempt to pass him you would be flagged and kicked out

two years ago when I went for the first time I don't even think they had a pace car in the rear, so people were slowing down for a while and driving crazy

12/3/2007 11:06:11 PM

you can go pretty damn fast. i mean its no track day but its really fun. last year was great

12/3/2007 11:37:35 PM

Did it during the second to last scca event during lunch hour; for sure I'm going. Guy at work told me no matter what give yourself about 100 yards between the car in front of you and yourself so you can get off the turns faster.

Only rule is don't pass anybody but most people who go are going to be driving in a 'spirited' fashion anyway..........

I did almost fuck up at oak tree though last time

question= how is this formatted though? I mean what time should I go? Is it just like $25 for a half hour and put into groups? Just wondering exactly how they do it.....

[Edited on December 4, 2007 at 8:42 AM. Reason : format]

12/4/2007 8:41:17 AM

not sure of the exact time of operation.

i heard like 8am until maybe 3 or so.

im just thinking if you show up with stuff, they will put you in one of the upcoming run groups

12/4/2007 8:54:45 AM

Maybe I should take the Accord...ha ha ha...

People's jaws used to drop when I beat on a 1st gen Teggy! Parade Laps is better than no laps at all.

12/4/2007 9:11:16 AM

Please dont get this confused.. it is a parade lap session. You are allowed to take your car on track. If you have never been on track it is really fun, and u can drive at highway speeds. Alot of fun and i would recommend it to anyone who hasnt been up to VIR. Have fun guys!

12/4/2007 10:47:55 AM

i dont think anyone has it confused.

12/4/2007 10:52:37 AM

so if i donate 25 dollars of stuff i can drive around my honda accord somewhat fast behind a pace car?

12/4/2007 10:55:57 AM

^ Thank you for clearing that up. I was writing to let people who havent been there understand what the event has in-store for them.

12/4/2007 11:01:30 AM

yup.. you can even take your mini van if you wanted. But speeds are fast but the real thrill is in the turns. Every one can drive fast in a straight line, the races are in the turns..

12/4/2007 11:04:04 AM

josh, you should get all that food that you got for free from people and donate it.

if i go up there, i plan on going around to my uncles/aunt/parents houses and just getting as much food.

screw $25 worth. im gonna stock up.

i think the food is worth much more than the toys or money.

12/4/2007 11:05:31 AM

When I went the past two years, they really didn't get the cars moving until like 10 or 11 on the track. Usually at the beginning of the day were the hardcore guys who got their early. Faster and more sporty cars. Then by like 1 or 2 everybody brought their random Audi A4 out or something--cars that had a little performance but were not sports cars. they slowed everybody down and pretty much made their particular group lame. Then towards the end, I wanna say 3 or 4, the hardcore guys who had come for the day were back out there. My first year I went three times, my second year I went twice and on the second run for some reason my O2 bung plug popped out (wasn't welded in) and I sprung an exhaust leak, making the car spool like shit.

12/4/2007 12:02:01 PM

Quote :

"yup.. you can even take your mini van if you wanted. But speeds are fast but the real thrill is in the turns. Every one can drive fast in a straight line, the races are in the turns.."

Who the fuck is this guy? bahaha

12/4/2007 12:07:00 PM

Isn't their pace car this year a Porsche? At least they were using that for AMA.

12/4/2007 4:50:48 PM

no

12/4/2007 4:53:41 PM

Quote :

"my O2 bung plug popped out (wasn't welded in) and I sprung an exhaust leak, making the car spool like shit."

The O2 sensor should be downstream of the turbo because pressure distorts the reading...

12/4/2007 5:06:01 PM

i've been to 3 spectator events, and it was a CTS-V for all of the times they had a parade lap session

12/4/2007 6:54:55 PM

From what I've heard the pace car from last year booked it pretty well.

12/4/2007 7:33:15 PM

Quote :

"The O2 sensor should be downstream of the turbo because pressure distorts the reading..."

1. I had an extra bung on the back of the downpipe for a wideband, way downstream of the one stock O2 sensor. Due to AEM's shitty build quality I removed my wideband and sent it back to them, so I had a plug in there. I guess I didn't torque it down enough.
2. cars run open loop under WOT, and 80s cars rarely have long or short term fuel trim
3. An exhaust leak is going to make most cars run worse

[Edited on December 4, 2007 at 8:11 PM. Reason : .]

12/4/2007 8:10:34 PM

my bad, thought you were talking about the wideband bung getting blow out...carry on

12/4/2007 10:03:44 PM

and let me say that i'm sure there is some car that doesn't run open loop under WOT. i'm not trying to make an overgeneralization or talk out my ass.

12/4/2007 10:27:15 PM

Quote :

"dude I have gone the past two years. the pace car is fast enough. Last year it was a CTS-V and I was happy to say I kept up with him pretty good (I happened to be directly behind him, second in line) on my stock turbo and upgraded suspension. but you can tell he wasn't pushing it 100%. On the big straight we definately hit 120 but he hit the brakes long before the big downhill at the end, probably before the "5" on the braking zone."

hahahahahahahha
breathe
hahahahahhahahahha

12/5/2007 2:10:28 AM

this one time i drove real fast behind a neonized camry on capital. it was totally awesome.

12/5/2007 2:39:53 AM

I still dont see how a leak downstream of the turbo affects spool-up

from your description:

turbo -----> stock O2 bung ----> wideband bung ---> exhaust outlet

12/5/2007 8:40:07 AM

attn: queers,

what time do they "open" and "close" ?

i tried calling, but no luck.

trying to get there early, and come back by 2pm

12/5/2007 8:56:54 AM

^^ all I know is, when I dropped the hammer it was way less responsive. And it sounded like ass. Maybe someone else here can speculate on the physics behind it. Loss of volumetric efficiency?

^ They opened at like 10 or 11 man and people line up. You're trying to be home by 2? You might get two runs if you're lucky.

[Edited on December 5, 2007 at 11:45 AM. Reason : .]

12/5/2007 11:44:07 AM

ahhh shooooot

well i dont really care how many runs.

i mean, i wouldnt mind just going up there to drop off all this stuff and maybe getting my GF to get a run in.

and maybe some go karts also

12/5/2007 11:53:00 AM

anyone do the karts last year? how much?

12/6/2007 11:00:25 AM

Karts are owned by a private company, 2 months ago prices stood at $30 for 30 mins

12/6/2007 2:09:10 PM

Quote :

"dannydigtl: Who the fuck is this guy? bahaha"

A Member of VIR, looking to promote the VIR name. I have raced at VIR for 4 years and am addicted to it, just thought fellow gearheads may enjoy

12/6/2007 2:22:49 PM

$30 for 30mins is a deal.

are you a member, as in you pay member dues? what does that get you?

none of us are members, but have also been driving the track for the past few years.

i just dont see the benefits of being a "member"

12/6/2007 2:47:32 PM

as a member you get to race on track. none of this follow a pace car. VIP passes to everything. I can go any day of the year and get into to view special track events. Anything that says Not Open to Public i can get in.

If you are into the car world you should get into VIRs world. Its incredible.

$30 for 30 min really is a good deal. The karts are pretty fast too

12/6/2007 3:09:02 PM

What series do you race in? Tell me about your race car.

12/6/2007 3:11:24 PM

BMW CCA

Tracked out '88 325is or Semi-modified 328is.

u wanna race Danny?

12/6/2007 3:16:56 PM

you mean HPDEs w/ BMWCCA or races w/ BMWCCA club racing? If racing, what class? How long have you been doing it? I'm not saying you do or don't, but i want to clarify this point youre making.

You can't beat me, i'm the South East Regional HPDE Champion in the E30 class.

12/6/2007 3:19:42 PM

Quote :

"South East Regional TWW HPDE Champion in the E30 class"

12/6/2007 3:22:26 PM

I've seen Dan win an HPDE race before, I wouldn't screw around w/that if I were you...

This VIR world sounds incredible, but we're just college students here, I don't think anybody here actually has driven on track (except for Dan). The semi modified 328i is probably really fast. I rode in a BMW once, it was very fast.
Ahmet

12/6/2007 3:24:09 PM

I dunno, callahan competes in the TWW HPDE Championship E30 class and he's pretty fast... but its safe to say that i'm the TWW South East Regional HPDE E30 Class Champion.

12/6/2007 3:24:54 PM

Quote :

"as a member you get to race on track. none of this follow a pace car. "

well, i drive on track too but im not a member.

do you get like special track days for members only?

plus, once you've been to one race, you've been to them all.

its cool and all to go into the pits. but only when its a big series coming. like the speed world challenge a few years ago. we were pit crew. and maybe rolex.

how much is membership?

[Edited on December 6, 2007 at 3:25 PM. Reason : ]

12/6/2007 3:25:00 PM

haha, well seeing how callahan is on the west coast, you win by default.

12/6/2007 3:25:45 PM

I think I will do 2 of the full course in my car and then once in a 30 min go kart. I have done both and man the karts are great. 30 mins is a LONG time to run them too

12/6/2007 5:59:58 PM

tr00.

if i could pick one either 30min parade lap, or 30 min go kart.

id go with the karts.

i should be taking enough stuff there tomorrow to cover at least 3-4 sessions.

but i honestly dont care about it. just a good thing to do.

12/6/2007 6:01:19 PM

i'm just going to bring $$$

12/6/2007 6:43:26 PM

well i gotta say it was well worth the money.

i donated probably like $60 or so worth of food to them.

the session was typical parade lap, slowing down to get speed, which made it kind of fun.

but the the go karts were the real deal.

12/7/2007 9:05:23 PM

i did 2 sessions on the full track. first time out we were doing like 20mph at oak tree

but then 2 kart sessions were killer

12/7/2007 9:31:05 PM

yah i had some lady in our group in a burgandy mustang. talk about slowing down the pack.

12/7/2007 9:37:21 PM

I didn't realize we have a bmw cca club racer on the forum? I definitely want to hear more!

I'm definitely holding things down at T-hill, Buttonwillow, Infineon, and Laguna Seca <3

12/7/2007 10:09:00 PM

next year i will probably just ride up with my friend, let him drive around in at least his IS350-- then spend the rest of the day and $$ on karting instead

12/8/2007 8:13:08 AM