The Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the most cheated on turn in all of automotive video game history. Laguna Seca, spanish for Dry Lagoon, was built on the US Army’s Fort Ord in the late 1950’s. Signs on the approach to the track still warn of explosives and the artillery ranges are guarded by barbed wire fences. Fort Ord incidentally is on the Superfund list of toxic clean up sites. It is even labeled on the National Priorities List of the worst Superfund sites.
The raceway was built in response to the abandoning of the Pebble Beach Road Races, which were deemed too dangerous after a racer crashed his Ferrari in to a tree and died. What followed is one of the most well known tracks in America, thanks to a slew of video games including the popular Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsports series. Laguna Seca is home to more than just armchair racers, as the track is home to the Skip Barber Racing School as well as events such as the Rolex Monterey Historic Races. The American Le Mans Series, AMA Superbike, and MotoGP series also make an annual trip to the track.
The Ultimate ArmChair Racing Test In the 7th season of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson decides to put the realism of Gran Turismo to the test.
Clarkson pulls a 1:41 at the simulated track in Gran Turismo 4 in an NSX-R. Driving a real NSX, granted not an NSX-R, he only managed to muster up a 1:57 on the RealStation. Clarkson attributes the discrepancy in times to the ability to defy physics in the video game and his driving skill, or lack thereof.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, held at the Circuit De La Sarthe, is perhaps the most famous motorsports events worldwide. Its name sake adorns the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) and is even paid a tribute by the 24 Hours of LeMons. Now on its 14th revision, Circuit N°14 is one of the world’s longest at 13.629km (or just short of 8.5mi). Circuit N°1 was 17.262km, or about 10.7mi, in length.
The Circuit, named for the Sarthe River, incorporates public roads and was once known for a 6km long straight where driver’s would reach over 250mph. Its features are sponsored by the likes of Dunlop (Curve), Ford (Chicane), and Porsche (Curve). The former two make up part of the Bugatti Circuit, named for Italian coachbuilder Ettore Bugatti. Which begs the question, “where is the fellow countrymen Andre Citroen love”? Even in its current configuration most of the track is done at full throttle and accordingly punishes drivetrains and brake components.
The Legacy of LeMans
In 1955, tragedy struck the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2 hours in to the race an Austin Healey 100 swerved in to the middle of the track to avoid a pitting car. The Austin’s driver did not notice two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLRs approaching from behind. The sloped rear of the Austin served as a ramp for Pierre Levegh’s SLR, causing it to fly in to the air. When the MB made contact with the ground it struck a mound which was meant to protect spectators from wayward cars. Instead of stopping, the SLR was sent somersaulting in to the stands.
The motor separated from the chassis and kept going at full speed. The fuel tank had also ruptured adding kindling to the ensuing fire. The bodywork was part magnesium, unbeknownst to emergency crews, so as they poured water on to the flames they only made the fire worse. The accident killed 80, making it the most deadly crash in auto racing history. Investigations after the incident led to a ban of motorsports in France, Germany, Switzerland, and many other European nations. To this day, the ban on racing in Switzerland still stands.
It’s our first installment of “Track Week” here at mentalgarage.com. If you couldn’t tell, as I type this I have a really itchy right foot. For our first installment we cross the pacific to Tsukuba Circuit.
Tsukuba is probably best known to internet junkies as the home of the Best Motoring Lap Battles rampantly found on YouTube. Aside from giving us state-siders some JDM carpr0n, it also hosts many local “tuner” events such as Time Attack and Drift. In fact, Keiichi “Dorifto/Drift King” Tsuchiya holds the track record, but I have a feeling he was doing so with more “grip” than “slip”.
Tsukuba Circuit is part of the larger Japan Auto Sports Center (the Tsukuba web address is jasc.or.jp), in Shimotsuma, Japan, just outside of Tsukuba. Time Attack and Drifting are a legacy of the original intention of the circuit, which was to attract a younger generation to motorsports. Today, the circuit also hosts events for the Japanese superbike and touring car championships.
From the map you will notice a smaller 1km gymkhana track just to the east of the 2km main track. If only Infineon Raceway had one of those to host our local SCCA events. Aside from racing duties, Tsukuba also serves as a test track to Japanese OEMs. In fact, Honda seems to have built a Tsukuba replica in Ohio!
Over my Memorial Day vacation I decided to risk death in more ways than one. A bunch of us had planned a trip to Mexico. By now you may have heard of a little thing called H1N1. But with our vacation requests having been put in months in advance and non-refundable flights booked shortly thereafter, half of our group of travelers decided that a pandemic was no match for the power of relaxing on the beach with a Corona.
Upon arriving in Cabo San Lucas we picked up one of those tourist magazines. Each of us sought out to do something we wouldn’t normally do at home. In the magazine I saw an ad for Wide Open Cabo. I’m a motorsports guy. My decision was sealed.
Traveling with 3 ladies that did not seem to find the same appeal for driving around in dirt, I embarked alone on my chauffered ride 20 minutes up the Pacific Coast while they were still fast asleep. The combination of a swine flu pandemic and one of the worst economic meltdowns in history meant that I had the track to myself, not to mention a discount off the list price. No complaints here. Besides, no one pays the prices on the wall in Mexico anyway.
My instructor asked me if I could drive a standard transmission. To my positive answer he replied, “Good, because this is the wrong place to learn.” After a brief instructional video they pulled my chariot up for me to hop in. So let’s set the record straight. These are not dune buggies or sand rails that you’re tracking. These are baja challenge cars with a real deal baja 1000 ready suspension and a 4-speed synchro mesh transmission mated to a 2.0-liter Subaru motor.
I hooked the radio up, strapped in to the 5-point harness, and off I went, admittedly a little nervous after they had showed me photos of a previous client who had flipped a car a few months prior. The familiar roar of the Subaru horizontally-opposed motor filled up the desert air behind me. Although a part of me wished I could transplant my 2.5-liter turbo Subie motor in, this car had plenty of power to get me more sideways than I wanted at times. As I navigated through the fast curves and well placed chicanes of the 2 mile course, I thought back to the sign at “base” which read “minimum charge of $200 for any off-track excursion”. The rear end would step out as I was having a little too much fun speeding through the long bends and the tight turns let you know that the car could easily end up on its roof if you really messed up.
My laps ended too soon, as I had to catch a flight home just a few hours later. I can say that if you’re a gearhead in Cabo this is a must do. The beach will still be there for you to drink your Corona on when you’re done fishtailing in the baja desert. Professional staff and an outstanding experience mean I will certainly go again, hopefully next time on one of their full on excursions.
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