Chuckwalla Valley Raceway review | FerrariChat
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Chuckwalla Valley Raceway review

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by plugzit, May 21, 2011.

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  1. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,745
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    #1 plugzit, May 21, 2011
    I spent yesterday at CVR with the Infamous 358. It was my third trip out there, and I've got to say it's my new favorite track for several reasons. For one thing, and perhaps the most important to me, there's nothing to hit. The runoffs are minimum 50' and are bonded dirt (!?) and sand, so there's minimal chance of damage. The track is 2.68 mi with 16 turns, a few of which can be combined into one turn. There's an off-camber turn as well as a fishbowl, so you get a couple of thrills each lap. Also a few nice elevation changes. I was there on one of their open-track days they're doing to promote membership. There were probably a total of 30 cars. It wasn't overrun with Porsches either. With so few cars out there, I was able to learn the track without a 500hp Subaru or somesuch on my tail constantly, as is the case at the more developed tracks here in SoCal. The paddock is large and clean as you would expect at a newer track. They brought in a catered Barbecue lunch and provided plenty of water. Anybody who wanted a ridealong was accommodated in a Corvette, 458, Lotus 2eleven, or whatever. They had instructors who would ride with you gratis and started the day with a lead-follow to familiarize us with the proper line. The management is very friendly and accommodating. I wasn't snubbed even once by anybody in the whole crowd there (not even by the guy with the Lamborghini!). The FCA crowd brought a few cars, 360s and 430s, so there was a fun group to run with. They generally divide the group into new guys and experienced guys earlier in the day. By later in the day when many have had their thrills and gone home, it's like having the track to yourself with only 4 or 5 cars out there at a time. Manned flag stations have a view of the entire track. They've got a website www.chuckwallavalleyraceway.com with a map, etc. The only downsides, if you consider them such, are that there are currently no concessions nor garages, but management provides shade and bathrooms. It's about an hour east of Palm Springs-I left Redondo Beach with the car on the trailer at 5am and was back home by 10pm. I think their next one is June 4-I'll post when I have confirmation of that. They talk about membership at lunch-very low-key, not a big pitch-if I had the cash, I'd join. I have no affiliation.
     
  2. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    98,996
    #2 GuyIncognito, May 21, 2011
    what, you don't like getting passed? :p

    I was supposed to do a track day out there a few weeks ago, but it got canceled last minute; and I couldn't make this weekend's because of the Vegas meet. but I'm really looking forward to getting out there, I've heard great things. thanks for the review!

    :D
     
  3. AceAndy2

    AceAndy2 Karting

    May 19, 2008
    137
    Idaho/Italy
    Full Name:
    Andrew Adams
    #3 AceAndy2, May 21, 2011
    I've talked with a number of vintage racer types who have ran the track this summer (VARA), the general consensus is that it is a fun track and as was stated before "nothing to hit!". The facilities were a little short but that was to be expected as much is still under construction.

    full lap.
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgVvi5LgqVA[/ame]

    Another view of the save near the front straight
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux4m_6WQ-gU[/ame]
     
  4. garak

    garak Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2010
    303
    Florida/Arizona
    #4 garak, May 23, 2011
    It's a great track. It's really open and flowing, and which is much different than the other tracks in so cal area. It's got a bunch of great corners, and my favorite is the double apex left-hander (turns 4-5 I think when running clockwise). But I must admin I'm a little biased - I'm a member there.

    As was mentioned, the track is also the safest track I've been on, with open runoff everywhere. You can push as hard as you want and if you push too hard, you'll just spin off into the dirt.

    I spoke to the ownership/management the last time I was there, a few weeks ago, and they are planning on building garages soon. Hopefully the clubhouse will follow soon after that.
     
  5. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    98,996
    #5 GuyIncognito, May 23, 2011
    I checked their schedule, and they have nothing planned from mid June --->.

    obviously it's blazing hot in the middle of the desert in the summer, but is there something else going on this summer? i.e. shutting down to finish some of the infrastructure?
     
  6. pnk574

    pnk574 Rookie

    Jan 14, 2006
    35
    #6 pnk574, May 24, 2011
    I would concur with the positive sentiments voiced above: we rented the track last August for some testing of a Radical. Despite the obvious heat, we had a great time, enjoyed the track very much, and continue to contemplate the prospect of becoming members.
     
  7. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,559
    socal
    #7 fatbillybob, May 24, 2011
    Summertime all the cali tracks are hot even laguna seca. Summertime is auto-x time. I'm done racing until October.
     
  8. DCNSX

    DCNSX Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2007
    639
    Winston-Salem, NC
    #8 DCNSX, Jun 6, 2011
    looks like this track may have some competition a little closer to LA. See the "Thermal" thread here.

    Here in the mid-Atlantic, tracks are usually closed Dec.-Feb. I'd like to be a "snowbird" and head out to SoCal /desert during those months. All I need is a cargo aircraft and unlimited funds....
     

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