LRP - Construction Pics

[cdh]

taken 6/2/2008

click these links for large panoramas, expand pic in browser - big images (Johnny, if you need help with this RTFM )

Big Bend

Turns 2 - 3

Esses from hill

West Bend
_

[cdh]

a couple more

[oldredracer]

Thanks Doug. I'm gonna see for myself on Thursday but I was just gonna bring the Brownie.

[cdh]

it's something to see, got lots of very interesting video also. The pieces of the old surface make nice souvenirs

[dalyduo]

Where's Steve Kinser and his dirt track car? Or better yet Robby Gordon and Ivan Stewart in Baja trucks? Or a gaggle of dirt bikes? Ah the missed opportunities.

Thanks Doug. Nice shots. Great to see things progressing so nicely.

[dlippert]

As much as I have grown to dislike that place over the years, I will admit that it is a bit sad to see the changes to the original. But, I will get over it.

[cdh]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

Or a gaggle of dirt bikes?

yes, some nice moto bikes would be the way to go, dirt piles everywhere would make for great launches - or as I said to Rob yesterday, some rally prepped Subies.

Originally Posted by dlippert

As much as I have grown to dislike that place over the years, I will admit that it is a bit sad to see the changes to the original. But, I will get over it.

copy that, most dramatic change so far is West Bend. I have to admit I don't mind saying goodbye to (most of) the
tirewall / berm 5 feet away from trackout curbs.

[Slowhands]

I'm also feeling a bit sad. It's like a down-to-earth, unpretentious friend staying fiercely independent for years and withstanding fads and trends, finally giving in and getting a glamour makeover. Yes, she's pretty, but does she still have the substance and character you loved about her?

I'll miss dropping the right front perfectly into that little dip next to the kerbing at the apex of 2, frustrating ("can you go any SLOWER?!?") push through 3, the slightly wider square of concrete that was the reference for the late apex, the way your heart was in your mouth as you just KNEW you were going to clip the tires at the crest of the Uphill (thankfully I never did), the way the car just planted through West Bend when you turned in right, and finally having the guts to flat the Downhill and hold on as the car careened around that adverse camber and big bump.

Found these on the net. Others at

http://www.amwmag.com/NO/Osca_World/osca_world.html

[LimeRockRacer]

Great Pictures Harsha.

I am really depressed now about LRP being torn up!

[tom goodhart]

Great pics Doug! Any sense from your visit how good the contractor is? I noticed they've taken it right down to soil. I hope they have good data/datums for where the new finished surface should be. I'm all for a new surface with improved safety, just hoping they don't lose the character of the old track.

[ORBlues]

>>I'll miss dropping the right front perfectly into that little dip next to the kerbing at the apex of 2, frustrating ("can you go any SLOWER?!?") push through 3, the slightly wider square of concrete that was the reference for the late apex, the way your heart was in your mouth as you just KNEW you were going to clip the tires at the crest of the Uphill (thankfully I never did), the way the car just planted through West Bend when you turned in right, and finally having the guts to flat the Downhill and hold on as the car careened around that adverse camber and big bump.<<

When the track was last paved, around 1991?, the surface was billard table smooth - for a few years - then the ghost of Lime Rock came back and started putting in the bumps and dips and other specific characteristics. Each decade brings changes to the track and ten years from now we will be having the same discussion. Like replacing worn out shocks, most people will be so thrilled that the track is smooth that they will wonder why they waited so long.....

ChrisZ

[cdh]

Originally Posted by tom goodhart

Great pics Doug! Any sense from your visit how good the contractor is? I noticed they've taken it right down to soil. I hope they have good data/datums for where the new finished surface should be. I'm all for a new surface with improved safety, just hoping they don't lose the character of the old track.

tough to tell but the equipment in use is plentiful and first rate. I was impressed with the depth of excavation in Big Bend. They are digging down a good 3-4 feet in places, laying down a heavy black sheet (plastic? carbon??), a layer of large white gravel, then I assume an asphalt mix of some sort. We can only hope a sprinkler system will be operational to soak different parts of the track when the sun is shining...

One thing for sure, it will be different...for a while

oh, and a very nice post Harsha, well put.

[oldredracer]

[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Paul/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/2008-06-08,%20LRP%20construction%206June08/LRP%20construction%206June08%20003.jpg[/IMG]These really ARE from the Brownie. No idea why the cameraphone chose green tint but .....

Taken at the top of the uphill looking toward No Name and toward West Bend.




[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Paul/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/2008-06-08,%20LRP%20construction%206June08/LRP%20construction%206June08%20002.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Paul/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/2008-06-08,%20LRP%20construction%206June08/LRP%20construction%206June08%20001.jpg[/IMG]

[OLDMAN]

I've been going to LRP since the 60s. I remember watching Dick Smothers, Mark Donahue, and all the Trans Am drivers going around and around. Although I understand why what's being done is being done, deep down I wish it would never change. It makes me feel mortal.

Two years ago I went skiing in Snowmass Colorado. One of my reasons for paying the extra for that place was to have lunch at my favorite restaurant at "Sam's Knob (elevation 10,340 ft)". When I got to the top of the lift the restaurant was gone, as was 16 feet of the top of the hill. It was the best view in Snowmass for almost 40 years and now it was gone forever. Somebody in New York, who had no connection to the place, had decided that the numbers made sense. I don't think I even rode that lift again. I haven't been back since.


OLDMAN

[cdh]

with the green glasses removed - I don't think your camera was a 'brownie'

[oldredracer]

some pics as of 13June08

New pit in and the downhill run-off won't happen 'till later.

'short straight' is between 3 and 4.



Former Morton Chicane-top of uphill


between 3 and 4


the former Lake Limerock


looking down the uphill