FSAE East event going to be held in Alton, Virginia...

[jwill211]

We were told there's going to be an FSAE event at Virginia International Raceway in alton, virginia in 2008, the format will be more of a formal test than competition and limited to 50 entries. We were curious as to who may be interested in going to see how strong the turnout might be, its cheaper for us to race in virginia than drive all the way to michigan and I've been to the facilities before, they are beautiful. Its going to be on the 1.0-something mile patriot course at the end of april.

[jwill211]

We were told there's going to be an FSAE event at Virginia International Raceway in alton, virginia in 2008, the format will be more of a formal test than competition and limited to 50 entries. We were curious as to who may be interested in going to see how strong the turnout might be, its cheaper for us to race in virginia than drive all the way to michigan and I've been to the facilities before, they are beautiful. Its going to be on the 1.0-something mile patriot course at the end of april.

[JerryLH3]

We're definitely considering it. If it does end up being the end of April, that may cause problems with us for finals week, but I think it'd be worth it.

[Maverik]

Think they will cone up the course or leave it open?

[jwill211]

The way the official explained to me it was going to be left as is without cones. Like I said it will only be on the patroit course which is just over 1 mile, not the full course which is around 3.27 miles.

[Homemade WRX]

I'm really excited about this as ODU, specifically Eric Coster has been working really hard to get this to work out. If his plan goes accordingly it won't only be the competition but a seminar (tied in) as well...also makes for a much shorter trip for ODU and Va Tech http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[RiNaZ]

We florida boys need to organize one here in our own backyard ... i think im getting too old for a 24+ hour drive every year http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Mike Cook]

I'll definitly be game to go.
mike

[Homemade WRX]

Rinaz, deland is only a 9.5 hour drive for me leaving from Virginia Beach. So getting to 95 (close to VIR) is about an hour of the trip alone.
not nearly that 24 anymore now is it http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[BamaJeff]

Alabama is seriously considering going to VIR in '08.

[Maverik]

Any thoughts on getting around finals week with the schools? Damn classes and exams, all they do is get in the way of racing

[jwill211]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Maverik:
Any thoughts on getting around finals week with the schools? Damn classes and exams, all they do is get in the way of racing </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was really excited about this event at first and then I figured out the same thing you just pointed out. I'm hesitant to push the team to register, we have a big problem with people wanting to go to the events and then dropping out at the last second and leaving just a few guys left to go, and I would imagine it would be many times worse if they had a valid excuse like exams. I am hoping SAE recognizes this and moves the race up or back a week.

[John Valerio]

http://www.virclub.com/vir/index.php?option=com_content...ion&id=23&Itemid=106 (http://www.virclub.com/vir/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=23&Itemid=106)

now i like a fast autox/enduro as much as the next guy, and there's no reference scale on the map, but those look like some mighty long straights to be left un-coned. i don't think they'll let us run as is, but you might want to think twice if you plan on removing 5th and 6th gears...

[Homemade WRX]

I can almost with 100% garuantee that they will not be leaving the course un-coned as it would be extremely high speed for our cars (short wheelbases and short gears). Kind of goes against the whole auto-x thing. Also would be a large driver safety issue if something were to happen at speed.

[jwill211]

we'll see, either way its going to be a really fun course to run. Maybe they'll throw some chicanes or bus stops on the straights, but the whole thing looks pretty high speed to me relative to what the endurance course looks like at MPG.

[Jersey Tom]

Yea I doubt they'll be running 1/4 mile straights. Jesus that would be nuts. Its a cool idea though. Be a hell of a drive for us.. 24 to Detroit sucks, VIR would be pushin 30.

I'm waitin for when they have Streets of Denver - FSAE. Or Streets of Boulder roadcourse. That would be wicked.

[jwill211]

Just got a survey from SAE and it said next years michigan race is going to be at michigan motor speedway instead of the ford proving grounds. That may be just enough to sway us to make the longer drive rather than get 10 kids to try and weasel their way out of exams so we can go to virginia.

[B Hise]

edit: see the MIS post

-B