a little idea; Columbus GP

[Science Abuse]

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4821/columbusgpwy5.jpg

 

Would be one of the fastest tracks in the world. Seatine could be ample, as there would be many flat parking lots along the track in which to erect grandstands. The island int he middle would serve as race control and offer seating as well. Floatillas may also be an option, allowing boats to put-in at a premium cost.

 

Logistics:

Below is an area of map of the minimum amount of highway needing to be closed for the event. One could add to that the closure of east-bound lanes as well, and use it for behind-pit seating. Anyone who's stood on 4-5 lanes of highways knows that there is allot of room on it, the spaces in yellow would serve as parking and paddock, as well as offering behind-wall emergency vehicle access to much of the track.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3301/closuresti2.jpg

 

670 traffic can be detoured to I70. Local traffic shouldn't be much of an issue, as it is primarily a buisness district. The apartment comlex could be "vented" by providing a temporary dirt/gravel exit to Grandview Ave south of the track crossing.

 

So, who do I submit this to?

[Miller]

That. is. awesome!

[Miller]

People crashing vehicle into water and drowning = na-so-much.

[Guest EM1 2ENVY]

thats a really good idea

[Science Abuse]

People crashing vehicle into water and drowning = na-so-much.

http://www.selectmotorracing.com/Circuits/circuit06_Monaco.jpg

 

http://www.ticketvision.com/seatingcharts/cal-long%20beach%20grand%20prix.jpg

 

http://www.corvetteracing.com/tracks/trk_img/detroit/detroit.gif

 

http://joemarks.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/gillesvilleneuve.jpg

[Main3s]

Nice!!! But how board were you though to think that up?

[Ramsey]

i like it.

[launchin1st]

i remeber the columbus 500 when i was a kid.

they closed off most of downtown.

[coltboostin]

2 Questions-

 

Where is that?

 

Why can we do some time'd "practice runs" right now?

[Science Abuse]

Nice!!! But how board were you though to think that up?

Actually, Iwasn't bored at all. lol I was int he middle of a drawing revision, and for some reason my mind wondered to "back in the day" taking that offramp at speed, and I thought: Hmmmm

In 10 min, I'd googled the area and MS painted those maps. The spot is just that perfect.

[Miller]

You took care of my complaints thank you

[SpaceGhost]

Meh I go through there at Speed all the time. That exit is fun.

[Science Abuse]

2 Questions-

 

Where is that?

 

Why can't we do some time'd "practice runs" right now?

 

There are two lights to go through, and at least one of the streets is trafficed and patrolled.

 

To find it, hop on google earth and start at downtown columbus, work your way west until you see it. I'm not making it that easy.

[Science Abuse]

Meh I go through there at Speed all the time. That exit is fun.

i used to dive in off of 670W and to a U turn at the end, and ride it out to 670E... untill I passed a broken down van on my second-last apex under the bridge (couldn't see it on approach). I wonder if anyone was in it, and what they noticed the Tbird going by at 120mph, or if they thought it was a gust of wind.

[SpaceGhost]

My wife's office is one of the buildings along the water.

 

BTW River Rd needs some paving there before a race could take place. Well now that I think of it, F1 had a track a while ago with RR tracks to cross.

[ImUrOBGYN]

Very nice. I'd give +pts, but it seems I have to spread my rep pts around a bit more first.

[jfiveeight]

that's awesome, i say send it to both the city and the organizers of the GP races. If the latter are interested, it would make the push for the city to allow it much easier.

[04silvrz]

Nice

[04silvrz]

can you post Rd. by Rd. Directions so I can give that a try?

[stealthmonkey]

Eric you know i am in!

[Avenger1647545502]

I know where this is, which brings up the one deal-killer: Where are the grandstands going to be? Half the course couldn't be seen by spectators. And it's the half where most of the action would be.

[Avenger1647545502]

Hey, on the idea of staging a race in Columbus, does anyone have a course map of the old Columbus Ford Dealers race circuit? The one they ran downtown?

[Mr.COS]

Nice layout but not enough room for run-off, corner workers, grandstands.

[Conesmasher]

Nice layout but not enough room for run-off, corner workers, grandstands.

 

Could be a potential threat, but let's throw caution to the wind.

 

Why would anyone want to race here? That's my real question?? I mean what is "blank" racing organization have to gain by coming to Columbus? Do they have trouble finding tracks to race at?

[Science Abuse]

I know where this is, which brings up the one deal-killer: Where are the grandstands going to be?

The lake is big, but not that big. The island can be backed with grandstands facing out. Furthermore, all of the course, minus the apartments and onramp, is flanked by praking lots, big flat spaces to put grandstands. If 670e is also closed, Grandstands can be put there (makes sense if the pits and finish will be there). I'd say that over 100% would be visible from some seating, some where. Thats more than you can say for some tracks.

Runoff space is a legitimate concern. This isn't going to be a 'plug-n-play' event, the city will have to invest in a few changes: Removable center dividers on the highway, temp catch-barriers pretty much everywhere, safer barriers and sand traps, or possibly some of the more modern speed-scrubbing surfaces. Walled tracks with few places to run-off aren't unheard of.

 

There is also plenty of room for stewards. Keep in mind, a nest isn't that big and we wont be using all of the road surface.