Mid-Ohio Pavement Condition

Joined
4 February 2000
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26,998
Location
Chicago IL
Just in case anyone is headed for Mid-Ohio this year, I was there this past weekend and I'd like to pass along a word of warning. They have repaved the pavement patches going past each of the apexes. During the paving process, they brushed the surface of the patches, so they now have grooves in them. (Not deep slots like on some highway turns, but more like the texture you sometimes see on sidewalks to prevent people from slipping.) The good news is, this gives the pavement added grip. The bad news is, tires now wear like the dickens. Quite a few people are finding that their tires are wearing out a lot quicker than they ever expected, and they are cording tires and getting stuck without replacements. So if you're coming to Mid-Ohio, you might want to consider bringing extra tires, even if you don't expect to need them.

Oh, and I hear the track is aware of this problem and may be repaving those patches late summer or early fall, and organizers of events late in the year have been told that they might be cancelled.
 
Ken what do you know of the Honda Sponsered Mid-Ohio School (RSX-based)? Is it worth it? Or is it nothing different than say a "Tracktime" school that offers Z4 rentals. I would consider flying in and beating on their cars for the first time on that track. I have been there before, but never "on" the track.
 
T Bell said:
Ken what do you know of the Honda Sponsered Mid-Ohio School (RSX-based)? Is it worth it? Or is it nothing different than say a "Tracktime" school that offers Z4 rentals. I would consider flying in and beating on their cars for the first time on that track. I have been there before, but never "on" the track.
I haven't been to their school. My impression is that it is indeed similar to most HPDE schools, supplemented by some handling training in one of their "slide cars" with adjustable traction. I don't think it's like a racing school a la Barber or Bondurant. ICBW.

Drive your own car to Mid-Ohio! It's about 350 miles from downtown Chicago, drivable in 5.5 hours plus any stops. Definitely worth the trip. NASA is there August 20-22, and Buckeye Chapter BMW CCA Sept 4-5 and Oct 30-31. Pending track repavement, of course.

Bring extra tires. :D
 
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