I'm taking a Skip Barber 2 day advanced racing course this summer. I have four choices of tracks, Watkins Glen which I have 10+ track days at plus my first SCCA race, Lime Rock which is in my back yard and I have two track days at, Mt Tremblant in Canada or VIR, both of which I have never been to. Any suggestions as to which is the track I should take the course at?

I will be driving more this summer at the Glen in SCCA racing it that matters.

Two ways to think of it... one - take the course at a track you know, and you can concentrate on what you're learning and the car you're learning it in, because you already know the line... two - do it at a new track so the experience is completely new, from top to bottom... and you get to learn a new track.

Either is a good way to go - I'm usually partial to getting the chance to learn a new track, but then, I'm sort of a serial track junkie - I've driven 11 different tracks (unforunately, some don't exist anymore) all over the US...

Either way, you're bound to have fun.

brad

All great tracks. If your goal is to compete well this summer, go with the Glen. I've lapped that course about a thousand times over ten years and the little things that make a difference are hard to learn. With a good racing instructor, there are several seconds you can pick up. The course is varied enough that the lessons you learn can be easily generalized once you really learn to race.

Decisions, decisions! I've run all four of these, and VIR is my home track. VIR and Mont Tremblant have a lot more variety (and better surfaces) than the Glen or Lime Rock. When you know how to drive VIR or Mt. Tremblant, you're well-equipped to deal with about anything a new track can dish out - elevation changes, off-camber, banking, increasing and decreasing radius, etc. etc.

If it was up to me (and travel distance wasn't a consideration), I'd do Mt. Tremblant. You'll probably be more comfortable there if it's a mid-summer event, as it can get hotter at VIR. Since Mt. Tremblant is right near a ski resort, you can stay in real nice accomodations at low cost (there are also some nice rooms on site at VIR but they're usually rented out in advance). Mt. Tremblant is really scenic, surrounded by the mountains and with a lake next to the paddock. All four are nice settings, though.

Have fun!

Our Plan was to do Mt Tremblant, its just that there is only one date for the school and a friend also attending the school might not be able to get free.
Then I was thinking that since the Skippy cars are mid engined cars and I will most likely be doing DE events at Lime Rock in my CS, it might give me a little edge up by doing that track. And then I love Watkins Glen and consider it my home track even though I live only 45 minutes from LRP. Decisions decisions, Mt Tremblant it will be if the date works out ok.

Jayman, As a Canadian CS owner I can testify to the fact that Mt Tremblant is a great track. Last summer I took the Jim Russell Racing School there and its a very challenging course with a track that's recently been resurfaced. There are lots of elevation changes and the scenery during the summer is second to none. You can enjoy every technical aspect offered by a race track and there aren't as many concrete barriers that tend to intimidate drivers.

The week after I took the course Ferrari head office in Italy had rented the entire track for its premier clients to enjoy a week of challenging driver education. Additionally, after his win at the Canadian F1 Grand Prix a couple of years ago Micheal Schumacher drove to Mt Tremblant in a Challenge Stradale and spent the rest of the day driving the track solo until the sun went down....and this was immediately after he won the race at Le Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Pretty Cool!!! The Jim Russell instructors stated MT Tremblant was his favorite North American track.

I've driven Mosport 17 times and its very much on par with this other top notch course. And for Americans its certainly a great deal considering the favorable exchange rate. The accomodations are top shelf as its an IntraWest resort and the rates are very reasonable during the summer season.

Just my 2 cents but you've listed some very good tracks so whichever track you choose I'm sure you'll have lots of fun. Let us know what you choose, and don't forget to post some pics.

Regards,

Matt

I'm in the Boston area, do about 40 track days a year, and Tremblant (LCMT) is my favorite as well. Not only is the circuit brandi-new (surface, run offs, etc.), in absolutely perfect condition, unlike the Glen...which is also a tremendous circuit no doubt, and I personally find to be the 2nd best in the NE. But LCMT also has the benefit of being in a part of this region that is very beautiful, very Euro, with a ton of things to do, and about 200 great French restaurants within 15-20 minutes. The key is to NOT stay in the Disney-esque fakie-do "village" at the base of the ski area. Instead, stay in the real, original village or in one of dozens of very kool b&bs in the area (www.crystal-inn.com and may others). Much nicer experience, much better food, all for a lot less money, plus you're giving support to the locals not some international corp from Toronto, and you'll feel like you've really experienced the local culture a lot more. We've made some great friends up there. But most of all, it's an absolutely fantastic track!

I have driven the Glen a number of times and thought the track was in very good condition. Then I drove Lime Rock with its pot holes and dips and waves at some of the scariest corners. After that I thought the Glen was like driving on glass. If Mt Tremblant is even smoother, WOW.

Tremblant is the way to go. It is an amazing track experience. Did 5 days there last year with the Cayman.

I too have driven all four and raced at all but VIR. VIR was not reopened until after I retired from racing but it is now my favorite of all tracks, not just these four. Elevation changes and variety of turns are greater at VIR as well as the run-off areas. Supposedly there is one of every type turn possible at VIR although the Skip school may only use the South course rather than the full course. I believe it was Carroll Shelby who said something to the effect that one lap at VIR (full course) was like a race at the Glen. Probably overstated, but still a great track in my opinion. Mt. Tremblant would be my second choice and as others have stated the surroundings there are the best. I have not been there since it has been improved. In fact, back then, the trophies included pieces of the old track surface that had been repaved in only the worst spots. Should be a great experience regardless of the venue.

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Formerly 914Geezer

I'm assuming you meant for the 48 Hours club race? I was there, but in my 964. Had a blast! ...managed to shave 1 second of my fast lap!

Which Skippy 2 day course, or I guess a possibly more pertinent question, what car(s) is Skippy using for your course? I haven't been fortunate enough to have been to any of the tracks you mention (I did a Skippy at Laguna Seca in their open wheel school race car), but have you given any thought to the kind of vehicle you expect to be driving favoring the choice of one circuit over another?

Otherwise, based solely on personal perceptions and photos, absolutely no hands on experience with any of the choices you've listed, I think I'd favor the Mt Tremblant track. My perception, which may be incorrect, is that this is a more modern designed track with ?? perhaps greater safety margins designed into the facility, so that if (a) the Skippy curiculum and controls provide the opportunity; and (b) you decided to really push the envelope, you 've a better environment.

In any case, have a great time. I'd be interested in your impressions and feed back on the experience after you've done the program.

Cheers