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Testing at BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

 
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:47 PM
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Default Testing at BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

Just returned from testing the 360 at BMP......
ALL I can say is ..WOW.
Unlike any other "track" I have ever been to. Very European.....
Its more like a park.....with a race track in the middle.
Absolutley gorgeous!
Here are some shots.....
Attached Thumbnails Testing at BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK-dscn0312.jpg  
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:48 PM
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turn 1 into turn two.....going into 1 blind over a crest down the front straight...
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:50 PM
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1 2 3
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:51 PM
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ok this is 1 2 3
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:52 PM
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more
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:53 PM
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track art all over the infield............there is so many differnt things out there.......it really cool...
Giant Spider
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:54 PM
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How about a 450 HP grocery getter!
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:58 PM
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fun
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 01:59 PM
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360GT
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Old Feb 10, 2003 | 02:02 PM
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Sweet track! How did you like the paddle tranny? Its good to see another 360 will be in ALMS this year. I love hearing those Ferraris scream!
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 02:04 PM
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I keep hearing great things about this track from friends of mine still running bikes. The owner is a dead set on building not only the best track in North Americai, but one of the best in the world.

Unlike every other track in the US this one is built w/ motorcycles in mind. Lots of runoff and just smart track design. No concrete barriers in bad places, etc...

Can't wait to get a chance to turn laps there.

So dwnshift, does it live up to the hype?

Also any pics of the motorcycle eating insect?
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 02:22 PM
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World champion Kevin shwantz (is that right) was there on Sunday busting off a couple of laps during one oof our breaks.
It is def a great place for a bike ride.
Racing there should be awsome.....there is a corkscrew type turn into a hairpin after a straight away......very fun.
Our Z will be battling it out there in May......I cannot wait.

The Ants are very cool.... I forgot to get a picture of them. There are dragon flys all over and other stautes througout the land. The place is awsome.
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 02:31 PM
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That has to be the most beautiful race track in the US. Hopefully I can track my bike there one day.
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 02:34 PM
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How did you manage to get track time there? Is it available to rent yet or are they still in the evaluation phase? My contacts there were on the advisory board they established to get riders opinions. I' m sure they've been doing the same things w/ cars.
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 04:45 PM
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Dwnshift,
Looking forward to seeing the Z race there in May. Just looking at the website looks like a beautiful track. Should be a good track for the Z. You guys are doing two races that weekend correct? How does it compare to VIR?
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 04:56 PM
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The straights are a lot shorter than VIR. Our highest speed in the 360 was just under 130.
Going into turn one is very nice, but going into the turn two three complex is fun.
Then it goes into a hairpin and then back donw another straight into a right left that falls straight down (very similar to Laguna corkscrew)
This is going to be a great race facility.
Old Feb 10, 2003 | 07:10 PM
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Forgive me for asking Dwnsift where is this track at????

I think it looks awesome!!!! I olny wish that one day I might have the chance to race there.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 03:24 AM
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Birmingham, Al
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 07:39 AM
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Birmingham, thats great. I was up in that area at talladega just a few weeks ago. Where in Birmingham is the track? From the geography it looks like the south side of town. Any info on cost for renting the track and such. Sure would be great to organize a track day there.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 01:35 PM
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I think its pretty expensive. Probably between $7500 and up. They are trying to keep the place really, really, super clean. Which they are doing an excellant job by the way. Being the first car to test there we pitted over top of moving blankets for the first day to not mess up the pit lane surface. They came over and said they aopreciated the effort but it had to get a little dirty at some point.
This place is kept cleaner than 90% of professional golf courses. The track owner is one of the nicest gentleman I have met. Grand Am is racing there this year but I am looking for an ALMS race there next year.
The track (2.3 miles) is only using 200 acres on 750 that they have. This gives you an idea of what they could do if they wanted to.



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