No Grand Am event at VIR next year!!!!!

[Flynscot0256]

This SUX
!!Grand-Am has recently announced it's 2012 schedule and it is disappointing to everyone associated with VIR that we were not offered a Rolex date for 2012. Now that this has been decided, we will conclude VIR's 2012 schedule and release it to our participants and fans as soon as possible. We appreciate your support of VIR and the Rolex races over the past 10 years and we will remain hopeful to have Grand-Am Rolex and the Continental Tire Series return in 2013.

[N2MINI]

I'm sure VIR will feel that in their pockets. That was a BIG weekend in the past...

[minimark]

........ :(

[ohbuga]

That really stinks

[minimark]

....makes one wonder what the France's or even Bruton Smith might be up too.... Let's see Bruton already has CMS, the dirt oval and the only four lane dragstrip in the world all in one place.....all the parking.....and a ton more land.......?

Now VIR's halo event (Grand Am owned by NASCAR) has been taken away, the event with the most exposure..... Not saying, but just saying?

[ciscorob]

VIR is going to hell. AMA won't even go there now for sportbikes! Sad but I think VIR needs to be updated and new ownership is needed.

[minimark]

Like to know the inside scoop on what's really going on up there.

VIR is a great track but does have it's detractors with it's facilities being adequate at best and it's location being the definition of "no where." That said the track had been rescued from the weeds, and was enjoying a healthy growth rate the last few years. Grand Am and AMA were VIR's halo events and unless there is something or some one in the wings, it's continued good health could be in question..... :(

[N2MINI]

I agree, be nice to know whay they lost 2 BIG events... Also be nice is Mr. Smith would build a Road Course on his compound in Charlotte... but that would take alittle away from the road course inside their speedway, so not sure they would be interested in doing that.. Don't think Nascar would be interested other then testing, but if they could get the Grand Am and AMA series events among others and maybe a IRL event as well....

[minimark]

....seeing that Grand Am is owned by NASCAR, that one wouldn't be much of a stretch, and the Roval at CMS could never hold the type of events a Bruton Smith purpose built road course could in that area! ;)

That said, I love VIR and want it to thrive as well!!

[ciscorob]

The issue with VIR is that there is NOTHING there. Have you been to Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca, Homestead or Palm Beach Internation Raceway?

Before PBIR it was Moroso and it was suffering from the same issues that VIR has now. Poor ownership, lack of investments into the facilities and overall just borderline trashy. Once it was purchased it was refreshed and now it is a place that can host events and provide a nice atmosphere for both spectators and those involved with the events.

VIR is sort of "no where" but that is what I also like about it as well. PBIR is also considered "no where" on the beeline Highway in Palm Beach County. When was the last time VIR did anything worthwhile to the track and/or the facility?

[minimark]

Other than being in a bit better location, the facilities at Road Atlanta itself are no better than VIR, maybe worse. But, and it's a very big but, there are lots of restaurants with in a decent driving distance along with hotels to stay at.....and Atlanta is just down the road for the spouses to go shop at whilst us boys and girls play at the race track.

Exactly why it would make so much sense to have a first class Circuit built next to CMS, everything is already there to handle a big time event.

[N2MINI]

As everyone knows VIR was resurrected from the dead about 10-12 years ago and I'm sure that took alot of money to buy it and then get it all back in "driving" order... No way of knowing how profitable it is thru out the year. I'm sure on the main events they have they do well but then the rest of the time it's kinda just sitting there with HPDE and or club events on the weekends... Takes alot of staff to keep it all running, mowing, repairs etc...
and that road you drive in on it is MUCH better then it was when I was up there in 2001 for a Superbike School. It was extremely rougher and narrower then it is now, if you can believe that...
A NASCAR track can get by with just 1 or 2 big dates as their dates are 100,000 people or so plus vendors, camping and parking etc to bring in money. Sure they then do the HDPE's and Legends type racing thru out the year to help but VIR on a big event might have 20,000 people, a few vendors and parking is free... I'm sure it's a struggle for VIR to keep afloat, and then I heard that Grand Am had gone up on their price to tracks to come there and I guess VIR just didn't think they'd get a return on their money... probably the same with the AMA ( I did get to see 1 of these events there though!!! before they left )

[minimark]

You just have to consider that VIR was built as a club racer track by some well to do folks who wanted a place to play. Does cost a ton of money to maintain and I think they have been doing a great job doing it and improving it slowly. That said, they really need to move the start finish line to between turns 3 and 4 so the fans can actually see the finish line without being part of the "hey crowd" peering through the chain fence behind the pits. READ: There is no place for the fans to see the finish. Moving the finish line there would make for some spectacular finishes because a good driver in a well handling car might win over a more powerful car. Where it is now, it is little more than a long drag race to the finish line, HP will win every time. Also from that vantage point, a proper grand stand could be built and one that would already be close to existing facilities and parking.

But that all will take money....and they ain't asking me.lol

[N2MINI]

but if you were offering the money I bet they would listen!!!!!

[minimark]

About all I can offer is 2 cents...lol :D