About the track
A group of
automotive and racing enthusiasts and
promoters with a working knowledge of Grand Prise America Avenue, start
working toward a partnership with CART, and in early 1997
forge a
three year agreement that will bring Indy Lights racing to a Temporary
street course built on Hutchinson Island As a hommage to the
actual Roots of open wheel racing, the track was ultimately named Grand
Prize America Avenue.
To attract the serious racing elite, A 1.965-mile 10 turn banked track
built for Indy Lights use- including all the features of a world-class
road course-A combination of Circle, Oval, and Road tracks, it has two
areas designed for passing, and with 10 banked curves in less than 2
miles, it has more transitions that most tracks, coupled with the other
features of the track it is one of the most enjoyable tracks out there.
What people have said about the track:
1) Shortly after the track was completed, Mark Blundell and
Big
Mo Gugelmin praised the track saying it was one of the most
interesting tracks they had competed on, and the fact that it was
designed as a racing course made it more fun than a road that was
simply fun to drive fast.
1) Jack Baldwin, a well known series driver with more road
course
experience than most, said: “Turn one is cool. Our cars will
do
really well there.” and feels the sweeping first turn the
best on
the HSR circuit. " All the turns are increasing-radius
corners -
they open up as you go through them," "Those are the most
fun,
and we don't see them on many of the tracks we usually run."
2) Ted Wenz, a Formula 5000 competitor, said:
“It’s a ball to drive, I love it, ...Turn 1 is one
of my
favorite turns in all of racing. It (the course) has some banking that
is very technical but it’s a great venue...It’s not
like
your standard street course because it was built as a permanent race
track, ...Even though it’s fast, it’s a very safe
track.
Everyone has to deal with the same things, like the bumps (street
crossings) on the golf course section, but that’s what makes
it
fun.
3) Long-time team owner/driver Jack Lewis said.
“It’s a
fantastic track. Turns 1 and 2 are the fastest turns anywhere. The back
stretch is tight but fun to drive. The front straight is cambered, so
the wall is right there. It separates the men from the boys if you want
to run up close (to the wall). ...
4) Noted Instructor Peter Argensinger says: "The course is well laid
out with FIA curbing, so it’s a very safe track as
well,”
For the last two years, the track has been gaining recognition from
hosting Historic Sportscar Racing, The motor sports events of the
Hilton head Concours, and local enthusiast activities.
|
|
