NCCAR - New Track Info Needed
01-11-2010, 08:43 PM
#1
Safety Car
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NCCAR - New Track Info Needed
NASA SE has two events listed at a new track. NCCAR - North Carolina Center For Auto Research on the VA / NC border just off I95. I have looked at the Nasa and NCCAR web sites and there is not much info on the track available. This facility is new - has any one run an event there ? What is the track like, decent to allow the Vette to stretch it's legs or is it a go cart track ? How are the facilities - do they have a snack bar, showers, camping, electric hookups in paddock ? Any info from folks that have run there would be appreciated. Trying to make the decision if I want to try this new location. Thanks.
01-11-2010, 09:23 PM
#2
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Here you go - the North Carolina Center For Auto Research (NCCAR) track. Looks like a narrow course that is suppose to be done by the end of this month.
- 4.6 mile (7.4 km) course length
- 0.6 mile straight (0.8 km)
- 40 foot wide track (12m)
- Turning circles of 450 ft & 630 ft (137m & 192m)
- 100 ft safe “run-off” zones
- 30 feet of vertical relief
- Adverse camber slalom section
- 5 individual courses (bi-directional)
- Course built to standard North Carolina road specifications
- Wetting by low level sprays
Last edited by Gray Ghost GS; 01-11-2010 at 09:30 PM.
01-11-2010, 09:25 PM
#3
Heel & Toe
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01-11-2010, 10:13 PM
#5
Race Director
I've been told there is no infrastructure, including NO barrier between the straight and the loop back, so a lot is to be worked out before having even a traditional DE event. I'm looking forward to learning more and seeing it firsthand!
01-12-2010, 10:34 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
CHJ or Aloha - If you want to go in April I have a "free" certificate - PM me and I'll instruct instead of HPDE3/4. I could use a few bucks towards the tire and brake budget 
Its a new track and some of the amenities are not in place yet. the track itself is finished.
NASA-SE is doing HPDE only for the two events this year to see how it works out. If they add a timing loop and tower we may race there next year.
James
Its a new track and some of the amenities are not in place yet. the track itself is finished.
NASA-SE is doing HPDE only for the two events this year to see how it works out. If they add a timing loop and tower we may race there next year.
James
01-12-2010, 01:53 PM
#8
Drifting
In addition to the missing barriers/berms, there are several drainage ditches in run-off areas that have some concern. Another issue are the lack of Pit In and Pit Out blend lanes. As well as the complete lack of corner worker stations.
I know a couple of people that have met with management NCCAR and pointed out the things they feel are necessary for safe(er) DE type of environments. Hopefully, things will develop and we can all leverage this new track for events.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing how NASA handles safety and organization at their April event.
-Kevin
I know a couple of people that have met with management NCCAR and pointed out the things they feel are necessary for safe(er) DE type of environments. Hopefully, things will develop and we can all leverage this new track for events.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing how NASA handles safety and organization at their April event.
-Kevin
01-12-2010, 03:30 PM
#9
Safety Car
That's just a bad design. What sort of barriers would help. Those big concrete Jersey barriers? Yea right.
This is like the PBIR course in Florida. They tried really hard but it's still not a safe track.
Richard
This is like the PBIR course in Florida. They tried really hard but it's still not a safe track.
Richard
01-12-2010, 03:44 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Yep, I just signed up too. ...can't pass up an opportunity to drive on a new track.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
01-12-2010, 03:51 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
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Yep, I just signed up too. ...can't pass up an opportunity to drive on a new track.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
01-12-2010, 04:35 PM
#13
Race Director
Instructors get to drive........
Most courses double back on themselves somewhere, but this track was NOT designed for competition, but for testing. It will take a little work but I'm sure it will come together.
OK, I'm signing up too....what the hell....
Most courses double back on themselves somewhere, but this track was NOT designed for competition, but for testing. It will take a little work but I'm sure it will come together.
OK, I'm signing up too....what the hell....
Last edited by davidfarmer; 01-12-2010 at 04:37 PM.
01-17-2010, 06:37 PM
#16
Drifting
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Yep, I just signed up too. ...can't pass up an opportunity to drive on a new track.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
I signed up to instruct, but does that mean that I can ONLY instruct and not drive...or both?? In other words, do I also need to sign up for the HPDE (group 4) to drive? I know very little about how NASA works.
Instructors go on track as HPDE4. Generally pass anywhere with a point. Generally you will have 2 students. Not sure how its going to work with just HPDE running and no races but they usually don't have you jumping from car to car with no time between.
Bob
01-17-2010, 07:22 PM
#19
Racer
The funny thing is I heard about that when visiting with NASA MA at VIR (and filled out the form) but haven't heard anything about it in NASA SE. Nobody I've talked to in SE has gotten their hard card "license". Didn't sound like SE would be checking in '10.
01-18-2010, 07:20 AM
#20
Le Mans Master
A couple of years ago I went looking for this NASA Instructor Hard Card - as a matter of fact I just cruised the NASA website and cannot locate it (does not mean it is not there) or an application for it.
This form talks about it:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/...instructor.pdf
But it is not a license listed on any sheet.
But I already know that NASA instructor status in one region does not mean you are instructor qualled in all regions so what use is the card to the individual? No offense to anyone but I have seen instructors, recently, who should not be in cars with students and they were deemed "highly qualified". It may be of value to NASA, and I suspect it will (does) cost about $10, for liability purposes.
I have a PCA national DE Instructor license (never expires) with a unique number.
I do hope this track does not pan out like the one in Starke Florida - that one I refuse to run on - maybe an autocross - but never a multicar on track event.