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Doesnt matter which track you attend, there are critters at all of them. i had a wild turkey fly at my head (on motorcycle) at road america, had to duck or i would have been removed from said bike. other tracks ive had deer, coyotes, turtles, squirrels and lots of ground squirrels. pay attention to corner workers and the sign for change of conditions on track and you will be fine.
Lots of videos are car accidents and deaths from deer strikes at this circuit.
Anyone have more insight on what the track is doing to combat this issue?
Makes me think twice about my visit to the track this spring...
If you want it straight from the horses mouth I would post on their Facebook page. The motorsports directors there is Chris White and he is a stand up guy always working to make the track safer. I know that have folks doing population control on the deer population there and have also taken steps to push the tree line further back from the track.
SP is my home track and I've spent a lot of time there particularly the last three years. I can't recall ever seeing a deer near the track. Groundhogs yes. Turtles yes. Bird decapitated in the grill of a C7 yup. Not saying there aren't any deer, just that it's no worse than anywhere else.
In my short 3-4 years of DE's, I have more laps at SP than any other track. I have never personally seen a deer while on track there. I know there are stories and videos on youtube about this concern. Someone asked the same question to chin and if I remember the response right its something that was a problem years ago however they've made a bunch of moves to remedy the issue. I agree with poor sha, reach out to them and ask, I'm sure they could rattle off the measures they've taken.
I've actually seen more wildlife on or near track other places. Woodchucks at the glen and I remember seeing deer off of turn 1 at VIR while having breakfast before the track was hot in that field there. Bottom line for me, I love SP main and don't sweat the wildlife there any more than the other tracks I run (WGI, VIR, LRP, Pocono).
A coworker totalled his new spec miata there approx 5 years ago. Last year there were two animal strikes during one HPDE I attended. I think one was a deer (not my run group) the other was a ground hog to the grill.
I haven't been to SP in a few years so it may have changed but I recall a C5z hitting a deer towards the end of the main straight. The guy was very lucky he wasn't badly injured.
I've seen a number of deer on and near the track between turn 9 and 10. If I recall, as you might expect, the worst time is early and late in the day with the fall being the most active.
I have raced both cars and bikes at Summit Point and so far never seen a deer. I HAVE seen deer, and other animals at most other tracks (especially in the east) and seen deer strikes at Lime Rock, Road Atlanta, Road America, Pocono, and Nelson Ledges. In fact there is a legendary Woodchuck who lays at the track-out point of the carousel at Nelson Ledges, and dares you to hit him as he spectates (his lawyer is present)
What you're looking for are DE (Driver Education) type events, HPDE (High Performance Driver Event), or that HPDC (Clinic) type events.
That HPDC on March 11th is specifically for drivers with zero/very little track experience, but most all HPDE's will have a beginner/novice run group where you'll have classroom instruction and an in-car instructor.
You should consider the Nat'l Corvette Museum HPDE at VIR June 25-26. It's very beginner friendly with some of the best classroom instruction, you'll meet a lot of us forum track hounds, it's a virtually all Corvette event, and VIR is a GREAT track!! Here's a link to info about the NCM VIR HPDE:
Prepping your car for your first few track events shouldn't require too much - probably flush in some DOT 4 brake fluid and get some higher temperature track brake pads, and your street alignment and tires will be fine. And you'll need a helmet certified to Snell SA2010 or SA2015 specs.
Just be prepared - it's very addictive!!!! Get ready for the expense of future track preps and consumables (tires, pads, fluids, etc., etc.)!!!
I've been going to SP for 17 years, been close to deer on 3 occasions. They are not my biggest concern and will not keep me from going back. As one posted above, all tracks have wildlife. Driving home may be more dangerous.
Was on track at a Lemons race at Shenandoah circuit when a deer leapt over a car cracking the windshield in the process. No statistics to prove it, but anecdotal evidence based upon incidents and reported sightings does make it seem like it is worse at Summit than most tracks. That said, it still is rare...
We had an advanced Driver lose his C6Z at Summit Main from a Deer hit. Shot out in front of him as he was rolling about 110 mph coming out of three and starting down the hill. Happened quick.
Reeling in my Buddy in his GT3 Cup one second and covered in Deer poop the next. It's body wrapped around the driver's side A pillar and it's *** end flopped in on him. Pretty disgusting. He never ran with us again after that.
nice how the deer looked right at the camera for the shot... like - wtf over
I saw that something happened on track, and when I got to the pits and they showed me the picture I thought it had to be a photoshop.
Here is the in car of the car that happened. Just coming out of a yellow flag which is why there was that much traffic:
And the picture was a frame grab from this one
Fortunately at Lemons, speeds are slow and all cars are fully caged so less likely of significant injury, although if the thing goes through the windshield, it won't end well.
Amazing how Summit Point and Deer Strikes have so many videos online compared to other tracks.
My club has hit animals at that track facility FAR MORE OFTEN than anywhere else. Multiple Deer strikes and ground hogs.
I can say though the Deer hits in the last 3 or 4 years have decreased.
Summit Main is one of my favorite tracks and I personally wouldn't stop going there. I just carry decent track insurance and whatever happens happens. So far I have been lucky. I have only hit other cars there, no animals.
Last edited by Racingswh; Feb 13, 2018 at 08:09 AM.
At Summit you must ALWAYS be aware of the animal strike possibility. Several years ago, I barely missed a doe on the main straight. 4 years ago, I bought a ground hog in turn 8 that cost me the air dam and a badly cracked fascia resulting in a wild ride when the body went under the left rear wheel.
Summit Point Main and Deer Accidents?
