The latest issue of Nissan Sport Magazine has an article on driving "Big Willow", the self proclaimed fastest road in the west. The article addresses The Omega of Turn 4, and the infamous Turn 9. A full analysis of the entire track and all of its corners is available at the website, together with a link to a video of a couple of laps (a Corvette loses control in Turn 3 momentarily on one of the laps, illustrating perfectly the challenge of rear wheel adhesion in that corner). I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.nissansportmag.com/

Here is the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw5oTpTvv3g

 

Nice read....thanks. turn 9 looks nasty...I def want to try this track out in the next couple of months.

 

Vid was removed.

 

I assume you didn't write that headline Ed.

 

No, I definitely did not. Editorial privilege.
Unfortunately after I had drafted the piece and it was already in production, and about a week after my last run there this May, a fellow enthusiast driver in a Mini was killed in Turn 9. I had seen him on occasion at various events and he was a very nice gentleman. Not being present at the event when this transpired, I don't know precisely what developed, but it sounded like he went off on the left edge at track out, then fought back on to the surface in his fwd car, and then shot cross track. The car rolled multiple times. All that matters is a nice fellow who loved driving and was part of our fraternity was killed. He was doing what he loved, and his loss has touched the hearts of a very large number of people.

 

OMG...thats def not good, god speed.

 

I have sent a message to the top editor at the magazine to ask if we could change the wording to say "challenging" instead. I think that is much more sensitive and appropriate.

 

great video!

havent been on the big track in like a year

what's your best laptime? what kind of nittos and power level are you putting down?

 

That session, with a passenger, our best lap time was 1:39. But of course we were taking it quite a bit easier because he was a first timer, and you do not push at all with someone in the right seat.

The tires were Nitto NT-01. 275 in the front and 315 in the rear.

The rear wheel hp is 585 and lb/ft torque is 625.

Nitto is working on a new ultra high performance tire in testing now to surpass the grip of the current tire. Stay tuned for its release.

 

Thanks for the post - Very nice vid and driving

 

Thanks very much Philthy. Much appreciated!

Went to California (now "AutoClub") Speedway in Fontana, Ca. this weekend.
Had a great time, as they were running the Roval configuration. Going through a banked NASCAR turn at 140-145 mph is quite a gut tightener, at least for me. That was with a passenger, so I was not interested in trying for more velocity through there. Just cruising, 1:59 times.

 

Eagle, PM sent...

 

new issue coming out this month, I keep looking in the mailbox.

 

Fooshe:
Got the PM. Sent a reply.
Please feel free to add your constructive thoughts and pointers to help with optional or alternative approaches to driving the circuit based on your experience. The more we add to the community of knowledge, the better we can all get.
Cheers,
Ed

 

"Stay tuned" as in one month or "stay tuned" as in 6 months?

 

I am not privy to that. This is a Japanese company, so one has to trend to longer rather than shorter, as they test the dickens out of it. But the word I have is........incredibly "sticky", as in next level kind of sticky. We shall see.

 

Great article for the Novice and I am looking forward to reading more on the topic.

 

Got this months today....going to "the library" to begin my read in a few.

 

Finally got my issue of Nissan Sport. Good article on WSIR Ed. One thing that's hard to teach for WSIR is where to look. Looking far ahead on this track is critical to lap speed and safety. My look ahead tip for turn 9:

When you see the red and white FIA curbing don't stare at it looking for the apex. Glance up at the start/finish tower and use that to orient yourself and the glance back down for the turn 9 apex. Once you've turned in for 9 and are generally oriented towards the apex, look up at the start/finish tower. Don't look at the corner exit, apex, or the end of the pit wall, just keep looking at the start finish tower because that's where you want to go - and dont' lift!

 

Beta, I could not agree more with your statement of look where you want to go and don't lift.

That being said, allow me to share my turn 9 tip....when my line is to stay to the left and load the car for my turn in, I find that water tower in the distance to the west. Once I find it, I keep it in view. When my car is lined up with it, I know that is where I can start my turn in and be safe for a number of speeds while still hitting the apex.

*Notice I said "when my line is to stay to the left..." I have 4 different lines through 9...it depends on the situation at hand. Can't give away all my secrets!