New circuit layout ?
New circuit layout ?
Author
Discussion

lazyitus

Original Poster:

19,930 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
I was watching the 24 hour motorbike race on Saturday and I noticed something strange.

Watching from the start/finish straight, they race off up the hill (slight right hander) and then into a complex and then on under the Dunlop bridge.

OK - so, at this point they go down and the track bears right. This point is where the track normally splits and in the car race, the cars go off left onto the extended track and off towards the Mulsanne straight.

The bikes were using the shorter circuit which carries on bearing to the right.

BUT - THERE WAS NO TRACK GOING OFF TO THE LEFT . Just sandy run off area.

I assume the car race will still be held on the longer circuit and not the short ? But, where has this part of the track gone ?



Liszt

4,334 posts

292 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
Keep up at the back!

Yes there has been some track mods mainly for the bikers. The cars will still be doing the full circuit. Also the Dunlop building has gone and the Village is due a makeover.

lazyitus

Original Poster:

19,930 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
Liszt said:
Keep up at the back!

Yes there has been some track mods mainly for the bikers. The cars will still be doing the full circuit. Also the Dunlop building has gone and the Village is due a makeover.


I knew the building had gone and there will be more facilities in the village.

Just took me by suprise that there didn't seem to be any track where there should be - considering we're only 7-8 weeks away.

Gixamora

49 posts

254 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
I feel that was a perfectly valid question and a valuable contribution Lazyitus.

20vt_mk2dub

533 posts

249 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
Yeah this worried me about to start with - thankgod they are using the normal track (more or less)

Piglet

6,250 posts

277 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
The track had Dunlop has been modified and is now very different to last year. There are also changes planned for Tetre Rouge and further down the track for next year.

There seemed to be an awful lot of gravel at Dunlop last weekend.....

//j17

4,887 posts

245 months

lazyitus

Original Poster:

19,930 posts

288 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
Gixamora said:
I feel that was a perfectly valid question and a valuable contribution Lazyitus.


Thanks. I knew I could count on your support. We're closer than the other two.

cb911

68 posts

241 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
So nobody can expain why the 24 hour circuit wasn't tarmaced at the point where the bugatti circuit breaks off?? Nothing to do with the mods at the dunlop chicane.

lazyitus

Original Poster:

19,930 posts

288 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
cb911 said:
So nobody can expain why the 24 hour circuit wasn't tarmaced at the point where the bugatti circuit breaks off?? Nothing to do with the mods at the dunlop chicane.


Ah, good to see somebody else who understands what I'm on about!

neilchills

140 posts

262 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
I was there at the weekend but must admit I didn't wander up there - new village no where near finished. It will be a miracle if they get it done in time especially as they lose another week for the Moto GP

It is possible that the requirements of the FIM for the Moto GP mean that there needs to be a gravel trap for all of La Chappelle and as the full circuit is only used once a year (twice in Classic years) that new track will be laid and lifted each year - it will only be 20m of so of tarmac.

BalhamLotus

281 posts

241 months

Wednesday 26th April 2006
quotequote all
neilchills said:
I was there at the weekend but must admit I didn't wander up there - new village no where near finished. It will be a miracle if they get it done in time especially as they lose another week for the Moto GP

It is possible that the requirements of the FIM for the Moto GP mean that there needs to be a gravel trap for all of La Chappelle and as the full circuit is only used once a year (twice in Classic years) that new track will be laid and lifted each year - it will only be 20m of so of tarmac.


How deep does a gravel trap need to be? Any chance they graveled over the tarmac. Would seem like a lot of effort to dig up and relay. Tarmac takes ages to "cure" properly and I'm not sure 8 weeks would do it.

Don't suppose any of the Moto guys took photos?