Im with the Derrick on this one. While i know it is a TD and not a race, i personally know of several racers who havent done STT days in the past because of the "wrong" configuration. The track is fun either way, so why potentially eliminate customers? In other words, the track-day-only riders will attend regardless. But the same cant be said for the racers. ...and once you get it right, there is a "flow" to the chicane and it is fun. Not to mention it adds another "element" and type of turn/section that you dont really get to experience nor practice anywhere else in the SE. I voted for the chicane.
BTW - IIRC that chicane was added to increase the safefy in that area...same reason for changing T12. And im pretty sure it wont be any more hectic or dangerous through there than it is after a race launch and we are going through there 3 or 4 wide. And i have never seen an incident (crash) in that area. .02 I have ridden and love the track either way. But if i had a choice, i would use the chicane.
I like them both for different reasons. But if I had to choose, I say with chicane having ridden both. It is more challenging, and safer. Both good things. We dont ride to make it easy do we? Isnt the challenge part of the fun? the new 12 has grown on me though. I also like both there for different reasons. I dont think the old T12 was near as unsafe as people made it out to be, and it was a "mans corner". It was scary, and again part of why we do this. but the new makes for more passing opportunity, is scary in its own right (that drop is ridiculous, and braking downhill is challenging) and safer by some measures (not much though IMO, if at all), so I like it. then there is the "practice" aspect of it. :dunno If I can, i will be there. And if I am, I will run whatever. I prefer the race config just for selfish reasons and safety reasons though.
I'm with Mark! You can't beat the flow of the RA esses! Regardless of the configuration, the track is great fun!
I have to admit that I'm confused - so go ahead and tell me that I'm an idiot I guess. I've ridden RA with STT a couple of times, so I know how the track has flowed in the past year or two. But in this thread I'm getting really confused with the comments about T12 and T4 with each of them having to do with the chicane being discussed. The map shown early in the thread shows the T12 options but also shows changes to T4. And in my feeble mind each comment changes back and forth between the two different areas of the track. Are we talking about revising both turns, one of them, or do I just need to go back to sleep?
There is no chicane at T12 so you can go back to sleep. Just make sure your brakes are working well for T12.
It has already been decided that we will be running the new turn 12. If you refer back to the pics in post 4, you'll see a turn labeled 12a that is pretty much a 90 degree right hander. That is the new turn 12 that we will be using this year. The poll refers to the chicane @turn 4 only. Hope that clarifies..
WOW! Who knew this was going to be such a hot topic!!!! We'll keep the voting going to see who wins! If it's a tie, we'll do one day with chicane and one day without..... t
We have actually never run the chicane before - so this would be a new thing. Looks like the right now it's slightly in favor of the chicane. t
First of all, I am not a fan of Road Atlanta. I am aware that I am in the minority in this regard. I can; however, offer some insight that I hope is helpful. I have ridden Road Atlanta in all configurations (including the Gravity Cavity) and have unfortunately had experience crashing in the turn 4 area. I can say, without a doubt, that the new chicane is MUCH safer than sliding off at the top of turn 4. I agree with Healea, there are people with far more experience in reviewing the safety of a track than us.....if they feel that the new configuration is safer, who am I to argue. For the record, the new chicane does get crowded very quickly on the first lap of a race....this shouldn't be an issue during a trackday weekend. Just my $.02
I voted for it, I'm with Cantrell and Brian on the safety aspect. The outside of 4 can be really bad with the extra speed not running the chicane gives you. Even with the chicane there was a racer last weekend that crashed in 4 and ended up under the air fence! Obviously without the air fence it would have been really bad.
Too Late... My Jackhammer worked great today... No chicane to deal with!!! Forget about the Poll T...
The Cavity was really cool to ride.....it, along with the old turn 12 and the old turn three-four combo truely seperated the men from the boys. Unfortunately, a "mans" corner can have tragic consequenses. the last time I ran "the gravity cavity" was in the 1997 WERA GNF. We lost a rider in that race (RIP Gordon Lunde Jr.) He crashed at the bottom of the cavity and slid into the bridge/embankment. It was a great section of track, but the riders, bikes and tires had gotten so good that they were too fast for that section. The same happened in turn 12....my best friend was hauled out of the track in an ambulance after crashing and sliding into the (hay bale lined) wall. It was time to change the track and eliminate that section of track. In my opinion, the chicane does the same for the old turn three-four section of the track. All of these sections were great fun as part of the original layout, but they have been outgrown. Back in 1997, a full AMA superbike made 160 horsepower and couldn't put it to the ground effectively. That bike was not easily available to a novice or intermediate rider. Today, anyone can go out and buy a bike with 190 horsepower (and the tires and suspension to take advantage of it). As bikes, tires, and suspension evolve, so must the tracks.......nostalgia is great, but only when safety is not compromised. Again just my $.02......well maybe $.08:woot: