rybo
June 25th, 2012, 11:53 PM
MRA members,
In response to concerns raised about the new surface and the new Turn 10 configuration at Pueblo Motorsports Park Tony Baker, Jim Wilson, Ray Gaimara, Shannon Moham and I drove to PMP this afternoon to put our own eyes (and feet) on it to survey the conditions.
We were greeted by the track manager, Jason, and he gave us a tour of the new configuration. During the tour we were able to identify some points of concern and come up with solutions to mitigate those concerns. The primary concern was the level of traction crossing the new concrete that was installed for the burnout boxes. Much as we have experienced before at Pueblo, the current situation offers varying levels of traction as you cross the track on the line. Jason has agreed to run additional rubber into the track across the surface to equalize the traction level.
The new shape at T10 dramatically changes the corner. It is a much more square corner than it's been in the past and the speed at the apex should be much lower. The run into the corner will be a heavier braking zone than it's been in the past.
There are some additional barriers around T10 that will require protection. Ray has evaluated this area and has a plan for protecting it.
The track entry lane has been repaved. While it remains narrow, the big bump at the end is gone and it's smooth.
The pre-grid / hot pit area has been repaved
The balance of the track looks very good. The asphalt work is smooth and well executed. All of my reference points (patches in the asphalt) for T1 are gone and the corner looks positively wide. T2 and T3 and T4 remain as you remember them, with the exception of the smooth asphalt. The bump and patch at T5 are gone and it is now smooth. The cars have already done a small amount of damage at T7, but even with damage it is considerably better than the previous condition of the entire track.
The curbing at T9 has been replaced with a much more conventional racing curb instead of the tall concrete block that was there in the past.
The only other area of note is a drainage run that has been cut across the track near the entry to T9. There is some damage to this patch already and Jason has agreed to use some Rhino Patch to fill the damaged area and smooth out the transition.
In conclusion - Pueblo has always been a compromised roadracing course due to the conflict between the requirements of drag racing and roadracing. This is more evident to us as motorcycle racers than it is to those who race cars. While some of those compromises remain, the track as a whole is in better condition today than it was a year ago. It still presents some challenges to us, but we feel that our concerns have been heard and will be addressed before the race weekend.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact one of us.
http://www.mra-racing.org/index.cfm?action=contact
In response to concerns raised about the new surface and the new Turn 10 configuration at Pueblo Motorsports Park Tony Baker, Jim Wilson, Ray Gaimara, Shannon Moham and I drove to PMP this afternoon to put our own eyes (and feet) on it to survey the conditions.
We were greeted by the track manager, Jason, and he gave us a tour of the new configuration. During the tour we were able to identify some points of concern and come up with solutions to mitigate those concerns. The primary concern was the level of traction crossing the new concrete that was installed for the burnout boxes. Much as we have experienced before at Pueblo, the current situation offers varying levels of traction as you cross the track on the line. Jason has agreed to run additional rubber into the track across the surface to equalize the traction level.
The new shape at T10 dramatically changes the corner. It is a much more square corner than it's been in the past and the speed at the apex should be much lower. The run into the corner will be a heavier braking zone than it's been in the past.
There are some additional barriers around T10 that will require protection. Ray has evaluated this area and has a plan for protecting it.
The track entry lane has been repaved. While it remains narrow, the big bump at the end is gone and it's smooth.
The pre-grid / hot pit area has been repaved
The balance of the track looks very good. The asphalt work is smooth and well executed. All of my reference points (patches in the asphalt) for T1 are gone and the corner looks positively wide. T2 and T3 and T4 remain as you remember them, with the exception of the smooth asphalt. The bump and patch at T5 are gone and it is now smooth. The cars have already done a small amount of damage at T7, but even with damage it is considerably better than the previous condition of the entire track.
The curbing at T9 has been replaced with a much more conventional racing curb instead of the tall concrete block that was there in the past.
The only other area of note is a drainage run that has been cut across the track near the entry to T9. There is some damage to this patch already and Jason has agreed to use some Rhino Patch to fill the damaged area and smooth out the transition.
In conclusion - Pueblo has always been a compromised roadracing course due to the conflict between the requirements of drag racing and roadracing. This is more evident to us as motorcycle racers than it is to those who race cars. While some of those compromises remain, the track as a whole is in better condition today than it was a year ago. It still presents some challenges to us, but we feel that our concerns have been heard and will be addressed before the race weekend.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact one of us.
http://www.mra-racing.org/index.cfm?action=contact