[Harvey]

Here's a shot of the Spokane (Washington) Raceway. Great track!!!



Harvey

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[Eric_K]

Let's hope it stays a track and doesn't become a casino parking lot or something like that. I hope to be out there for a race in the middle of July.

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[333pg333]

Well two things struck me when looking at the image posted. One, how long is the main straight? Judging by what appears to be scale, it looks pretty damn long to me! Secondly, I wondered which way you drive around here, clock or anti? So to those that haven't been here or know already, what's your guess? I have no prior knowledge of this track and I first thought one way and then I changed my mind to the opposite for one reason. Any guesses? Only open to those that don't know please.

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[Renalicious]

Judging from the drag strip, I would guess roughly 1KM, maybe 900m. And I think you drive CCW: going with the drag strip.

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[sguy]

To find out the answer to both of these questions (or at least help) you can go to this link:

http://www.iebmw.org/driving_schools.html

and find the video of one lap around SRP. The current guess about the straight is too short. The total length of the track is 2.5 miles. Turn one is a dogleg right and can be taken at very high speed, especially now that a dip was paved over in the track that came right after turn 1. They also extended the pavement on the inside of turn 9 and changed the fastest line through there. Harvey, you need to go try it out <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . This complex is currently in receivership and may be sold in the near future. One estimated value is $26M.



Cheers, Stephen

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[Renalicious]

Hehe, dog legs are technicalities <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I consider a straight to be from corner exit to corner entrance, so I consider the dog leg to be a corner. My initial guess still stands <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[sguy]

Ren- I recommend you sign up for the June 23-24 DE at SRP and find out for yourself how long the straight is from turn 10 to turn 1. It is an excellent school with great instructors. It is run by the BMW club (see previous URL). If that is not your cup of tea, then get down for the July 13-15 races at the track. I think Eric will have his car there. My avitar is the entrance to turn 6.



Cheers, Stephen

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[Eric_K]

I'd highly recommend the BMW school too. I can't believe it has been 4.5 years since I've been there! I have a lap encoded somewhere - I'll see if I can find it.

   

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[Harvey]

The straght on the track doubles as a drag strip at Spokane Raceway....1/4 mile wind up and about that much distance to slow down. I don't remember the exact length. I've spent two days on the track with my '85S 928. When I was still learning the track and my car, I (ignorantly) once went into turn 1 after the long straight at about 120mph and went into a 4 wheel drift from which I barely slowed down and cleared the corner otherwise I'd have hit some small trees (or worse). Not being an experienced driver, I take that curve now pretty easily at about 98mph or therebouts, although people who know what they are doing and have their cars set up well can do wonders on that track. I could get 147mph in 4th gear in the 928 on the straight..but as soon as I shifted into 5th. it was like I hit a wall. The 928 just settled into Grand Tour mode and started crawling. I guess it would take a really long Nevada straight to top out 5th. It's a great track...run counter-clockwise with lots of variation. 2-3 years ago a 928er rolled his nice Guards Red GTS. We've had a few cars run off the track but no injuries that I know of.



On the straight, I've witnessed a twin screw supercharged '86.5 and a Ford Shelby Cobra turn almost 170mph on the straight (at least I was told that). I just know I was going really fast and they went around me like I was barely toodling along. This Sat. an Aston Marton is supposed to show (928 owner).



I'm not sure what the 968 would do on the track but there was a 951 the last couple of years which was really doing great in the curves (very, very nimble) but the 928s were passing him on the straights. The 951 did very well. I suspect the 968 would do well too.



Coincidently, there's a "track attack" by 928s (mostly) this coming Saturday. $200. At this late date it would still be possible to attend if you can prove track experience before. The deadline is past for those who would require a trainer. The trainer rides with you, shows you the apexes, where to break, etc. etc. Well worth the money. You clean out your cars, wear helmets, etc.



There's nothing like a good track to see what your car is capable of.



Harvey

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[333pg333]

Wow. Not to be disrespectful but the course seems a little 'rustic' and the surface somewhat needing some attention. Maybe that's why the 'Flying Lap' in the BMW lightweight seemed firmly attached to the ground? Looked like some guy driving home from the pub trying not to attract attention. Still if someone buys it and injects some cash it looks to have potential. At least there's no Armco to bend your car on. lol.

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[Harvey]

[quote name='sguy' post='33913' date='Apr 9 2007, 08:03 AM']To find out the answer to both of these questions (or at least help) you can go to this link:

http://www.iebmw.org/driving_schools.html

and find the video of one lap around SRP. The current guess about the straight is too short. The total length of the track is 2.5 miles. Turn one is a dogleg right and can be taken at very high speed, especially now that a dip was paved over in the track that came right after turn 1. They also extended the pavement on the inside of turn 9 and changed the fastest line through there. Harvey, you need to go try it out <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . This complex is currently in receivership and may be sold in the near future. One estimated value is $26M.



Cheers, Stephen[/quote]



Stephen,



How did your great 968 fare with the other cars when you were on the track?



Harvey

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[Eric_K]

The track is nothing fancy but it is a fun layout. It is narrow and you don't really want to go off anywhere. There is an actual junk pile in the infield too!



Here is a lap in my previous 968 from 2002.

http://www.968turbo.com/videos/Spokane-Oct02.mpg

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[sguy]

Since the track has gone into receivership, they have cleaned up some of the junk and trash at the track. However, it is still "rustic" compared to "them big-city tracks'. However, that makes it affordable for us to rent the track, have track days, and have something left over to buy lots of tires and brake pads. Last year when the 928 group was at the track, I was there with my '68 and there were none of the 928's that were looking down at the lone '68 at the end of the day <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . They are a great bunch and at one point a group of them walked over to my car at find out what mods is had (I guess because it was fast) and most were amazed that it was basically stock at that point (I don't think I had the M030 bars in yet).



I can hit 140 on the straight, with a modest brake before turn one. They did smooth over the dip after turn one and it is easier to carry speed through that corner and still have room to brake for turn 2. Last lap day, I rode in a nearly new GT3 and the owner was still learning the car, but hit 160 on the straight.. He declined my offer to drive his car <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .



Harvey, I have to go to the Spokane airport on Saturday and I'll stop by the track. Maybe bum a ride in your 928.



Cheers, Stephen

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[Harvey]

[quote name='sguy' post='34023' date='Apr 11 2007, 08:52 AM']Harvey, I have to go to the Spokane airport on Saturday and I'll stop by the track. Maybe bum a ride in your 928.



Cheers, Stephen[/quote]



Sguy,



I had to go to Portland on business and have to miss the Track Attack...but the 928ers (and at least one 951 and a few other great cars) will be there in force. Be careful crossing the track to get to the pit area. The 928s are hitting about 90mph along that stretch.



There's another Pcar date in Sept. Maybe we both can go up? I'm prepping a Polar Silver 928 S4 right now and would like to see what it can do. Low mile car. 40K miles, and I'm doing its first Tbelt/wp Change, 5 speed.



Harvey

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[sguy]

Actually Harvey, lets make it a 928 - 968 track day and invite everyone from the region with a 968 to show up in September. I assume that is the Saturday, September 8 date listed for the track. Any other people that might be interested? Harvery's 968 will be sitting, alone, without a driver jealous of him taking the 928 to the track <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Cheers, Stephen

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