Top 5 Tracks to Drive

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Liquid

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What would be the top 5 tracks in the world you would like to drive in your lifetime? Include tracks that you have already driven if you think they are in the top 5. Here's mine:

1. Suzuka
2. Spa
3. Watkins Glen
4. Laguna Seca
5. Daytona

3 of 5 in US seems high to me. So many good tracks left behind... Road Atlanta, Mid Ohio, Road America, Le Mans, Mosport, Brno, Mugello, Silverstone. Really tough to cut it down to 5. What are yours?
 
Hard to leave out the Nurburgring's Nordschleife ! I have been driving it since 1983 and there is nothing like it in my old book.
 
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The track at Monticello Motor Club is also a great track. Too bad it won't be available to any clubs starting next year. But they do have a new inexpensive "bronze" membership that starts at only $25,000 with $3000 in annual dues I think... :rolleyes:
 
Great thread!

1. Spa
2. Suzuka (NSX Fiesta in just a few weeks!)
3. Nurburgring Nordschleife (not the F1 track)
4. Laguna Seca
5. Mille Miglia (don't know if I could endure that course though) or Monza.
 
my personal dream vaca would be to drive all the formula 1 tracks around the world..that and Laguna seca, I missed 99 xpo:frown:
 
I have also grown to like the challenge of Big Willow (Springs) since I strated driving on it 20+ years ago. Very fast track with lap times that became notoriously a measure of "testicle size". The track is not necessarily complex in its turns but awesome once you find its rythme at high speed.
 
Five I want to drive:
1. Nurburgring Nordschleife
2. Spa
3. Suzuka
4. Le Mans
5. Elkhart Lake
Bonus: Daytona


Five favorites I have driven.
1. Laguna Seca
2. Paul Richard
3. Infineon (Sears Point)
4. Donnington Park
5. Lime Rock
Bonus: Riverside

A post by keN SaX got me to go back and count tracks I've driven: 14 in CA, 9 in other states, 4 abroad.
 
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Let's get some debate going on here....

CL65 Captain said:
1. Monaco
2. Monaco
3. Monaco
4. Monaco
5. Monaco
Click to expand...

What is so fantastic about Monaco as a track? I understand it has a rich legacy and lots of incredibly rich people with very beautiful friends, but as a track do you think it is that amazing?

Regarding the Nordscliefe, I left if off because to me it is way overrated/overpublicized/whatever. Seems like everyone thinks it is the be all and end all of road courses, but I don't get the feeling of a rythym as I do when driving a proper racetrack.
 
Liquid said:
Let's get some debate going on here....



What is so fantastic about Monaco as a track? I understand it has a rich legacy and lots of incredibly rich people with very beautiful friends, but as a track do you think it is that amazing?

Regarding the Nordscliefe, I left if off because to me it is way overrated/overpublicized/whatever. Seems like everyone thinks it is the be all and end all of road courses, but I don't get the feeling of a rythym as I do when driving a proper racetrack.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll bite.

I think the ambiance probably would have a lot to do with Monaco's appeal. that said, just because F1 races on that track are not always exciting doesn't mean the track is uninteresting to drive. It looks really pretty technical.

Regarding the 'ring. A track doesn't become that legendary by being kinda "meh". I've only run laps on it in video game land, but I have physically been to the track. The countryside that it runs through is pretty spectacular on it's own. Hell there's a Castle on a hill next to the main straight, nevermind that the average lap speed is WAY higher than most tracks.
 
You are absolutely right about Monaco; it is really not a track but a challenging way to go thru the area with a couple of "interesting" parts: the "S's" by the Casino at high spped and the thrill of going thru the tunnel without seeing the exit. I once took my rental VW Rabbit at 4am thru the "track" for fun and had a good laugh. As you say,the glamor and the crowd is what makes it; and it is not just the F1 event but now a whole bunch of happenings thruout the week.

As to the Ring, I disagree with you. I have driven it since 1983 every chance I get. The challenge offered by litteraly hundreds of turns and elevation changes with wierdd cambers make it just heaven to drive whether you are testing your own skills or the car's you're driving. I somewhat agree that getting into a rythme at the Ring is not easy, I an sure a multi-lap actual race would not be as thrilling as a reguular road course since you have to worry about what's behind the next corner and rarely see a another driver right behind you. The sheer distance and cars disparity would spread cars far apart pretty quickly. That said and to show how much I like the place, when I have a problem falling asleep, I "start" a lap of the Ring with eyes closed and ususally fall asleep before I complete the full lap. How is that for a nut case ?
 
Liquid said:
Regarding the Nordscliefe, I left if off because to me it is way overrated/overpublicized/whatever. Seems like everyone thinks it is the be all and end all of road courses, but I don't get the feeling of a rythym as I do when driving a proper racetrack.
Click to expand...

The sheer length of the track makes it daunting... I'm really gung-ho to drive it -- every time I've been there it's been raining -- no go!

As to "rhythm"... I understand your comment, but a track so complex that you CAN'T build a rhythm is a huge challenge. Rhythm building at a track makes it easier... less concentration required. When you're constantly having to change the pace of your concentration it makes you work harder: i.e. for me more fun.
 
I must say, I do like Watkins Glen.You left NHMS off your list though... :biggrin:
 
1. Nordschleife
2. Spa
3. Laguna Seca
4. Calabogie
5. Tsukuba
 
The good thing is Spa is very close to the 'Ring, about a half hour away.

I actually think Spa is overrated, but it does have beautiful surroundings (like the 'Ring). For me, Eau Rouge is talked about too much, Pouhon is the corner there. Blanchimont is also exciting in a car with aero.

If you ever visit the UK, forget boring Silverstone, go to Oulton Park! Brands GP circuit is also fantastic, with Paddock Hill bend in my eyes more fun than Eau Rouge at Spa.

I personally would love to go to Laguna Seca. Hope to ship over a car there next year to give it a go! Bathhurst is also on my to-do list!
 
robfenn said:
The good thing is Spa is very close to the 'Ring, about a half hour away.

I actually think Spa is overrated, but it does have beautiful surroundings (like the 'Ring). For me, Eau Rouge is talked about too much, Pouhon is the corner there. Blanchimont is also exciting in a car with aero.

If you ever visit the UK, forget boring Silverstone, go to Oulton Park! Brands GP circuit is also fantastic, with Paddock Hill bend in my eyes more fun than Eau Rouge at Spa.

I personally would love to go to Laguna Seca. Hope to ship over a car there next year to give it a go! Bathhurst is also on my to-do list!
Click to expand...

Hey man that's all fine but.... never again use the words "boring" and "silverstone" together in the same sentence again... :biggrin:
 
For the tracks I've been on with the NSX the first by far is Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Most F1 drivers rate it as their N°1, it's fast, it's scary but once you've done one lap you want to try again to correct your mistakes and take Eau-Rouge just a little faster...
Second best is Dijon-Prenois in France. It used to be a F1 track until it was declared not suitable for F1 speeds.It goes up and down a bit like Laguna Seca and while not as fast as Spa still scary in some places.
Third is Magny-Cours also in France. Another F1 track.
Next comes Le Mans ( Bugatti). Fast but safe.
Allthough I've been to Laguna Seca I've only "driven" it on "Gran Turismo".
Seems fantastic to me?
Here are a few pictures of Magny-Cours ( battling with a race only NSX) and Dijon ( with a GT3 in the background) to give you an idea ( I hope! )of the kind of tracks here in Europe.
 

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