Two Laps At California Speedway
California Speedway is a superspeedway with a infield course. Total length is 2.88 miles and they say it has 21 turns. It's really fewer than that, as the 5/6 turn, 7/8 and 10/11 chicanes are really one turn. I have never found 17. Anyway, it's a fairly busy course in some areas that requires precision and patience.
Here is a tour of the course - two laps from pit out to pit in - to acquaint you with the track.
There are about 107 photos showing two laps around the track. Each page has 4 photos and you can click on any photo for a larger view and return to the overview using the "BACK" command. Note the "NEXT: and "BACK/NEXT" links on each page to step through the tour.
The tour includes my notes just as I teach my students the line and visual reference points to focus on. There are some things to consider:
1. I'm more concerned that my students learn "the line" and carry good speed than set track records. Also, each car has different speed potential, so acceleration and braking are car specific. Therefore, my comments are not related to achieving maximum performance - I leave that to the more experienced drivers.
2. When you click on the small photos, you can see a larger image. Both show the area I think you should be focusing on highlighted. Return to the overview using the "BACK" command.
3.There are some areas that "the line" may differ according to the car. You may find that RWD, FWD and AWD cars have slightly different lines, especially if you are racing and need to protect track position rather than make the lowest lap time. This is sometimes shown on the line on the track map.
4. The line through turn 5/6 can vary. It can be taken with one late apex or double apexes. Double apexing may be better to defend position during races.
5. Turn 9 may be counter-intuitive. First the exit of the 7/8 chicane may leave you wider to the left than is best for the entry of 9. Try to stay mid track. Secondly, the track is very wide in 9 and going deep can make it hard to get back to the apex and will cost you a bit of extra distance. Try to make your turn-in to the apex of 9 about 2/3 out on the track and turn hard and fast. Trail braking will help you rotate here and reduce understeer.
6. Be wary of the curbs. Some are narrow and many have dropoffs on the inside and at the ends. Some are even temporary and can move around if cars hit them too many times. You can get into trouble if you try riding the curbs the way you can at some tracks.
7. Like all tracks, schools usually have cones out marking turn-in points, apexes, exit points, passing zones, etc. It is not advisable to use these cones as reference markers after you learn the course, as they have a tendency to move - like when cars hit them - and may be placed at a different location the next time by someone with a different opinion. Search the track for permanent markers like the curbs, painted lines or permanent features of the track.
I suggest you reread these comments after you see all the photos.
Disclaimer: This "tour" of California Speedway was created by myself alone and is intended strictly for informational purposes, allowing drivers to familiarize themselves with the course. It is not sanctioned by the course itself or any group running events there. The comments I make are my personal opinion and should not be construed as being instructions for driving the course, as any driver must make their own judgements of how to drive on any racetrack. I specifically disclaim any responsibility for anyone using this material as a guide to the track and how to drive there. That means, in simple terms, if you go there and do something dumb, you are on your own - don't try to sue me!
Jim Hayes
July 18, 2004
You can also download a PowerPoint Version which can be viewed on your computer or shown to others.
Another track tour - Willow Springs at http://www.jimhayes.com/Tracks/WSIR
(c) 2004 Jim Hayes. Permission to reproduce this material by printing or copying to another web page will be granted as long as proper attribution is provided. Contact me at jeh-at-jimhayes.com for permission.
Who the heck is Jim Hayes anyway?
