10 Exciting Track Configurations to Race On

The west's longest and most challenging road course.

THE TRACK

Track Review (by Edwin Reeser III)

At slightly over four miles in length, 110 feet in elevation changes and between 23 and 35 corners, depending on how you choose to count them, this course takes time and concentration to learn to drive. With sections colorfully named “The Hoot-n-Holler Hill Climb,” “The Slide,” and “The Horse Shoe,” you might get the impression that driving the track is fun, and you would be right.

 

But the two dimensionality of a map cannot convey the challenge of elevation changes, angled hill crests, shifting positive and negative camber, or dip and twist of the road surface. This is a track that will keep the driver furiously busy positioning the car on the track, managing lateral load transfers, setting the car for corners, and testing the limits of the suspension and tire adhesion. The average track width is 50 feet, and every turn is unique with its own characteristics and subtle challenges. This is a track that is appealing to both high horsepower and “momentum” racers, so a wide variety of cars are often represented on a track day at Reno Fernley Raceway. With typical cars at Reno Fernley routinely varying from 500 bhp Vipers and Corvettes to stock Miatas straining to deliver 133 bhp and four mile circuit, there can be segments with significant variances in velocities (potentially 50 mph speed differential or more) in the same run session (specifically the front straight, and the descent from Turn 6 to Turn 8). But with 23 turns, some of them having two or three lateral load transfers, the nimble light cars often demonstrate greater speed in the twisty sections of the track.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The 4300 foot base elevation of the track means your oxygen is thin (so if you run forced induction engines, mind your air fuel ratios closely), yet the demands on the engine, gear box and brakes are comparatively less that the demands on the car handling and the driver skill in weight transfer and managing turning with braking and acceleration to extract all that is possible from the tires.  The high horsepower cars will have room to kick their heels down the Front Straight (2320 ft), Sunset Straight (1175 ft.), Mid Straight (1420 ft), and the Hill Climb (1200 ft).  Additionally there are several “curving” sections that can be handled as straights in many cars, such as from Turn 14 to 15 (900 ft), Turn 16 to Turn 18 (1090 ft), and the Horseshoe down to Turn 23 (1500 ft).
But, this is not a track that outright favors the brutes, as their extra weight becomes a handling challenge in the numerous compound turns. There is plenty of twisty track for the lower horsepower cars with nimble handling and good drivers to gobble up distance on their big brothers by carrying momentum and superior corner exit speed through the turns, down the hills and into the longer and faster sections. Sweepers, hairpins, increasing and decreasing radius corners, on and off camber, angled hill crests, hill climbs, esses, fishhooks, it is all here.  Thus the track delivers elements that play to both the strengths and weaknesses of the every driver and machine. Short of carnival “loop the loop,” you will find the handling challenge here in slow and high speed cornering.

Review by Edwin Reeser, III www.trackguides.com

Take the Next Step

RENTAL and RACING INFORMATION
Reno Fernley Raceway, LLC has several “tracks” that can be rented by Organizations or Individuals. These venues are available for testing, practice, competition or training events.

- 1/4 mile drag strip
- 4+ mile road racing course and various layouts

Interested persons should contact the Track Coordinator, John Wood at: info@renofernleyracetrack.com, or contact the track manager toll free at 877-382-7223. In addition to payment of the rental fees, renters are required to furnish proof of Liability Insurance; provide Medical Coverage, and provide Safety Worker Crew for all hours of operation. RFR, llc. can assist with all these arrangements upon request.

In addition to payment of the rental fees, renters are required to furnish;
• proof of Liability Insurance
• provide Medical Coverage
• provide Safety Worker Crew for all hours of operation

Individual drivers and riders welcome to rent the track for “private use” and are also encouraged to check with the various Clubs and Association that already have competition, training, and practice dates.

 

Join Our Mailing List

Email: