craig71188 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 For those who have not been following the Nelson Ledges story. The track was purchased a couple of years back and improvements have been (very) slowly happening (largely due to township and EPA red tape from what I was told). That said, many of the old buildings at the entrance were removed, many trees at Oak Tree corner and in the center of the Carousel have been removed and now a full repaving is complete (video link below). What was once one of the fastest average speed tracks in the are will likely now be faster. Word on the ChumpCar racing forum is negotiations are already underway for LONG race next year Drone video of track before repaving - but after tree removal: Drone video of track repaved (some "stills" at beginning of each video): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 That's awesome news, I was catching bits and peices about Nelson on facebook. Hopefully I can find an event or two to make it to soon. I'd love to run my Vette there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I think I might be headed to the opening weekend to run it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Excellent news. Was anything done with the drainage issues that caused all the problems with the old surface? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I'm excited to see progress up there but their rates are on-par with top tracks in the region now and a fresh surface still doesn't make it a draw for groups to hold events there. They need to work on restrooms, garages and put facilities in order to bring BMW club and Porsche club back which is where the money is at in my opinion. $220 for a single day of lapping...I'm still going to Pitt race over Nelson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 If you see incar video from 2007 the track was pretty rough to say the least,the only way to smooth it out was to go fast Used to be stupid cheap at a hundred bucks too,tech and safety were pretty minimal,idiot incidents were rare but did happen,overall I second the comments here and look forward to going again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig71188 Posted June 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Excellent news. Was anything done with the drainage issues that caused all the problems with the old surface? I don't know what has been done (yet). I had a chance to talk with the "manager" last year at a an event and he mentioned they originally planned to take out tires walls and grind the tires and then use the rubber as part of the repave and the tire carcasses for drainage. The issue was the EPA could tell them how to dispose of the old tires, but not how to handle the carcasses as a drainage aid.... As the track is paved and the tires are still there....who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig71188 Posted June 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I'm excited to see progress up there but their rates are on-par with top tracks in the region now and a fresh surface still doesn't make it a draw for groups to hold events there. They need to work on restrooms, garages and put facilities in order to bring BMW club and Porsche club back which is where the money is at in my opinion. $220 for a single day of lapping...I'm still going to Pitt race over Nelson. Stand by... The progress seems to be slow largely because of issues with the EPA & township (so I was told). The new owner is supposedly a Ferarri (dealer/collector/???) guy and wants to have offices and a place to store/show his collection. More seems to be coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyM3rC Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 The new owner is supposedly a Ferarri (dealer/collector/???) guy a That would explain the sexy vintage ferrari 250? not sure there this weekend. BEWARE! There are dangerous drop offs until whatever curbing or ? they're going to install gets in place. Also, the surface this past weekend was brand new, and I have TONS of asphalt chip buildup on the barrels of my wheels, so heads up for you fancy pantsy forged racewheel guiz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 $220 for a single day of lapping...I'm still going to Pitt race over Nelson. Oof. Part of the appeal was the $100 funday which made up for all of the other sins (lack of facilities). I have fond memories there but that's steep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Pricing gets worse... $10 gate fee per person, and $5 for number stickers, could not use tape. I spent $245 for the single day event vs $380 for Norpca weekend at mid Ohio and $440 for Audi club weekend in July. Not a value... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 could not use tape. Wow. Ten years I've been doing this, never seen this anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Wow. Ten years I've been doing this, never seen this anywhere else. Got to make that money back somewhere I guess. I'm going to go check it out once this year for Nostalgia but I echo the sentiments; they're pricing themselves out. The $100 fun days were the shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyM3rC Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 This is the group that runs the DEs there, maybe if they get enough feedback it will drive cost down? Yeah for $100 I'd almost not complain about the 130+ minute drive from cbus, $235 was a little steep and then they rolled our last session into the "open track" time so we had to fight more traffic. http://www.ganarde.com/feedback-form.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Apparently after having two cars roll off the 5" ledges they aren't hosting any more days until the berms are built up.. Puts some new meaning now to nelson "ledges" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Saw one of the rollovers on FB this morning, Saturn SC2 race car. Rookie driver, owner says simple driver error and he didn't roll until he hit the tires so it wasn't "ledge" related but those crumbling tire walls do raise their own concerns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 I once witnessed a Caterham roll and "jump" at NL. It literally sat on top of one of those 8-10 foot high tire walls. The driver was just sitting on top looking down like "well, that happened." I have no idea what they did to bring it down but that surely couldn't be done if you tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 The other car that rolled was a caged Daytona coupe kit car. 72 year old driver, he was in front of me in tech and said the cars fast I'm not I'm going to take it easy. Welp.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downingracing Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Very happy to see the pavement improvement, but they need to address the runoff areas and the down right dangerous tirewall ramps. Last time I drove there, every single car that made it to a tirewall ended up on top of it, over it, or rolled over because of it. Too many other options for safe tracks to consider Nelson until these other items are addressed. Hope it all happens!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 I didn't realize that this place was so close. I guess Pitt race is still closer though but nice to have possible options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 i wasnt in a fast car by any means, but was on street tires, street brakes and modest suspension. I topped 105/110 in the straights and never once got in the grass on my first track day. I guess faster cars are trickier but i never felt unsafe all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downingracing Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Track is probably awesome and feels great. The issue comes when something you're not planning to happen happens. Drop a wheel or go wide and the day goes from great to shit. The overall safety (track, runoff, walls, safety crew, medic) should be considered when driving at any track. Love the track and hope the improvements continue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 TDrop a wheel or go wide and the day goes from great to shit. Or a mechanical issue, really no amount of skill can help you there. I didn't take safety all that seriously until I had a brake failure and touched a wall. Ended up OK but it easily could have been bad, and part of the reason it ended up OK was because of a gravel trap and a well built tire wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 so.. i know this is an older track .. and with putting in the effort to make it a better track.. why didn't they widen it at all? I know it's not cheap to repave a track.. but if you're going to "update" it.. wouldn't safety be a priority too? I've never been, but Nathan said he wouldnt go back because of how skinny" the lanes are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGU Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 I honestly don't understand why tracks don't do what the japanese tracks do with giant foam blocks on the barriers. Ive seen cars smash into those at 50 ish mph and they just bounce back with just cosmetic damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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