Hey guys, I'm in the planning stages of a meetr for the Hyundai boards i'm on, and I want to spend one of the dates at a road course. This is gonna be one of, if not the first national meet for Hyundai owners, so i'd like to make the experience as good as possible. First day is at Cedar Point, so I need a track near there, so I thought Nelson Lodges or Beaver Run.

I'm sure there's been people who've ran at these tracks on these boards. Which would you guys rather go to, and why? For the people who've set up track events in hte past, what are some words of advice you can give me?

.RJ, I hope this isnt violating the rules...

 

I'm sure that most people are going to choose BeaveRun over Nelson Ledges. BeaveRun is nice, but I have never been to Nelson.

I would definitely contact either track, see what they have available, and go from there. I'm not sure how many Hyundais you're expecting, but you may think about attempting to join an organization (NASA, SCCA, or the track itself). Sounds like it can work if you talk to the right people.

 

I'm holding out hope for around 50+ cars... We havent set a minimum limit to make it worthwhile to hold it yet, but I think 25-30 will be the minimum.

What are the facilities/staff like at Beaver Run?

 

I'm not sure what staff you'd be referring to, but the facilities are excellent. Anyone who went to the Expo can vouch for that, the place is pretty much brand new. The track is in excellent condition, and the paddock is also in great shape. Definitely a nice place to hold an HPDE.

 

From what I've heard, the staff is very professional and has high standards of it's occupants. From what I saw at the Expo and the Honda-Challenge race, the Beaver Run staff did an excellent job.

 

Robert, just curious, what do the general staff do exactly? Maintenance and corner workers or something? By the way, on a weird little side track, of all the things possible to remember, my brother most remembers seeing you (that guy with the beard and ponytail) and your "beat-to-****" Type R, as he put it, from last year's Hyperfest. Anyway, back on topic...

 

I have never been to Beaverun but I have been to Nelson Ledges many times over 30 + years. It's sh*thole of a track and I personally refuse to race a car that I own there anymore. If I could co-drive someone else's car it would be okay but I wouldn't risk my own equipment there. I have heard of more cars being written off there than any track, just not much room for error (and errors occur especially with novices). Although the track layout is fine, the pavement is extremely rough and patchy. Rumours of repaving are just rumours. The run-off room is small and ground is extremely rough and the tirewalls are closeby and full of mosquitos. Facilities are below par and toilets are gross. The "shower" is a garden hose along the fenceline of the worker camp area...no kidding.

Of the probably 15+ tracks I have driven at, I rank Nelson last. It has simply struggled financially for so long that it shows the wear and tear. With an influx of money like VIR had a few years ago, it could be a fine place but unfortunately that is not likely. A tough review but honest.

 

beaver is a great track. very flowing and quick. i hope to get out and drive it soon

 

BeaveRun is a fairly technical track. The current configuration will test your skills nicely. The paddock is not complete, but acceptable. The track management and staff are first rate. This is a facility built for roadracing, autocross/skidpad and they have a championship caliber kart track too. Tire wear is currently an issue with many running competition compounds. I have not seen the level of wear on my Azenis that others have on their choice of rubber. We can only hope that they complete the extension to ~4 miles next spring.
I agree with CRXLee as tot he condition of Nelson. Sadly, the place has always had problems over the near 40 years of its life. It is very challenging and I would not compare it to BeaveRun because of the lack of runoff and amenities.

Give the folks at BeaveRun a call and see how you can fit an event into the schedule. They do have track days from time to time (FATT). So that might be a good fit. I admit to being biased-my house is 1 hour away <G>.

 

Lucky bastard... I'm really wishing I was back home in Maryland and only an hour from Summit Point again.


I think I'll call Beaver Run. Thanks guys!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jeremyEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">beaver is a great track. very flowing and quick. i hope to get out and drive it soon</TD></TR></TABLE>

Umm...nevermind.

I didn't like Beaverun. The staff was nice, the facilities were *okay*, but the track was really disappointing to me. Add to that the 9-10 hour drive and it just wasn't worth the trip.

 

I agree, BeaveRun was nice, but the track layout was a little disappointing. It's just too much like a NASCAR oval with a gut-check kink on the back stretch. I hope the south loop is more interesting once it's built.