Goodyear Proving Grounds off US277 | FerrariChat
Buy

Goodyear Proving Grounds off US277

Discussion in 'Texas' started by FarmerDave, Nov 9, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 2
  1. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #1 FarmerDave, Nov 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    For starters, US-277 between Abilene and San Angelo is a really fun drive for the first 30 miles or so. Well paved, wide, mid-to-high speed sweeping curves with lots of elevation change, carved into the West Texas hillsides with a whole lot of TNT.

    The road gets boring after that for the next 50 miles until you come across this:

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=San+Angelo,+TX&ie=UTF8&ll=31.619036,-100.3232&spn=0.069581,0.112095&t=h&z=13&om=1

    It's the Goodyear Proving grounds. Just North of San Angelo, about 7,250 acres of test track, both on-road and off-road. Large gates and it's got a high game fence around the entire perimeter (good idea given the extremely high occurance of vehicular deerslaughter in the area on public highways.)

    There's also an 8-10 story observation tower that looks like it belongs at an international airport, I'll try to find some ground level pics around the web.

    Has anyone here ever been inside the gates?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,319
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    #2 rob lay, Nov 9, 2008
    Never been in there, just driven by many times as my Grandparents lived in San Angelo 1980-2002. We flew over it on our way to Big Bend last month.
     
  3. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #3 FarmerDave, Nov 9, 2008
  4. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 30, 2004
    4,087
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    Philip C
    #4 DIGMAN52, Nov 9, 2008
    Dave, my uncle, Red Nunley, was a crusty old cattle rancher who had places from Sabinal to Encinal and Alpine, and would
    make a visit to the ranches at least every other day. Riding with him in the late 60's, we would see packs of 6-10 cars going the other direction, running nose to tail and hauling ass. They were from the test center, and were getting real world miles and returning to base each night. He was wary of them, as there had been some wrecks, and their hiring practices were attracting some shady drivers. Had not thought of that place in a long time.

    I think there were some speed records set on the oval ?
     
  5. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,008
    #5 GuyIncognito, Nov 9, 2008
    IIRC, a Car and Driver editor was killed doing top speed testing in a Renntech Mercedes on the oval, about a decade ago.
     
  6. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #6 AnotherDunneDeal, Nov 9, 2008
    Bridgestone also has a proving ground. It is in Fort Stockton, in far West Texas. It was formerly a Firestone test track. Many raceteams have tested there and the Jaguar factory tested the XJ220 there for its high speed testing. It has a 6 mile oval. Mario Andretti drove my friends McLaren F1 there when a certain car magazine did its top speed testing there. 241 mph and it ran out of track before it could top completely out..........

    http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com/about_bg_index.asp?id=about/texasprovingbg
     
  7. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #7 FarmerDave, Nov 10, 2008
    Cool info guys. I felt like a little kid when I drove past it.

    James, I was thinking of Mr. B as soon as I saw it, and my mind went back to that November 1994 issue of Road and Track. That was the first issue of Road and Track I ever received in the mail. I remember the article vividly.
     
  8. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 30, 2004
    4,087
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    Philip C
    #8 DIGMAN52, Nov 10, 2008
    Hey Dave,
    Since we are talking West Texas, how bout them Raiders ! Wreck 'em Tech. My son is having
    a great last year out there. Everyone thought they would lay down against OSU, but they
    were dominating. Glad to have someone to root for with my Mustangs in the tank. Next year, June still cometh.
     
  9. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #9 FarmerDave, Nov 10, 2008
    I love West Texas. Neat story about your uncle. Late Sixties meant big motors and terrible brakes, so I bet that was a white knukle affair.

    SMU will have their day someday. Who'da thought Tech would be #2 in BCS standings. And there's a good argument for #1. I thought Kliff Kingsbury and that crew had a great few years when I was out there, and now every QB after that has taken it to a higher level.

    I would have thought that in Ozona at the Sutton County Game Dinner would have been a safe place to wear a Tech hat, but I had more than one Texas fan give me a razzing. I was offered tickets to the OSU game but had already planned the hunting trip. I wish I had brought my camera, every single buck I saw was either a trophy or has the potential to be in a year or two. Didn't see a single buck that needed to be harvested for management purposes. So I took a doe since I was a "guest of a guest" on the lease and I want to be invited back.

    I thought this one was pretty funny.

    http://www.doubletnation.com/2008/11/8/657022/fire-mike-leach
     
  10. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #10 FarmerDave, Nov 10, 2008
    I swear, Speedy308/BigTex possessed my fingertips during that last post.
     
  11. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #11 AnotherDunneDeal, Nov 11, 2008
    I grew up in West Texas (Big Spring) and spent many hours and miles on the country roads out there. It was great. There is a 30 miles stretch between Orla (west toward New Mexico out of Odessa) and Carlsbad highway, heading west. It only has one crossroad in the 30 miles and has some great curves and elevation changes. I once made (in 1989) it in 16 minutes in a 1988 BMW 325is. About 10 miles after I got onto Carlsbad highway I was stopped by a DPS officer for doing 80 in a 70. I am sure glad he did not see me on the earlier segment.

    There is a doctor out in Fort Stockton who still makes housecalls in his BMW 7 series. He got a pass to carry a dash flashing light to use when making emergency calls. Now it seems he makes every call an emergency. He told me that it is not unusual to get to drive over 120 on any given day. He is a good driver and does not go nutty about it. He carries a document from the DPS that allows him to use the flashing light and break the speed limits because he is a doctor on emergency calls. How would you like to have one of those passes..........

    He told me he has been on the Bridgestone track when they were allowing some high speed training for the DPS and he got invited by the local DPS office. Sigh,,,,,,,7.7 miles of banked oval......
     
  12. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #12 FarmerDave, Apr 19, 2011
    Just north of me the Wildcat Fire (so named because it started with a lightning strike on Wildcat Ranch) has burned 130,000 acres... No injuries or occupied residences lost... But the fire is knocking on the front doot of the Goodyear proving grounds.
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,321
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #13 BigTex, Apr 25, 2011
    ...who actually IS named "Leach".....LOL!

    No relation, I don't think.....
     
  14. Glen_Lloyd

    Glen_Lloyd Formula Junior
    Owner

    Dec 13, 2003
    785
    Lloydminster AB
    Full Name:
    Glen
    #14 Glen_Lloyd, Apr 25, 2011
    Just curious how you run out of track on an oval? What am I missing here?
     
  15. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,868
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    Jim E
    #15 jimpo1, Apr 25, 2011
    At the end of the straight, you have to turn.
     
  16. Denman_Honda

    Denman_Honda Karting

    Sep 3, 2009
    123
    DFW, TX
    Full Name:
    Chris Denman
    #16 Denman_Honda, Apr 27, 2011
    Thus different than a circle track....
     
  17. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #17 FarmerDave, Aug 28, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Big thread time BUMP

    All these years later, I'm going to get my chance to race on the Goodyear Proving Grounds!!

    (At about a 4mph pace)

    (Burning 100% biofuel)

    (emitting high levels of butane emissions)

    To register: http://www.roadlizards.org/events/goodyear-race-celebration/

    *****************************************

    Goodyear Race for Celebration


    Date/Time:
    October 11, 2014
    8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Officially confirmed!

    7K Race and 2.7K Fun Run
    at the Goodyear Test Track

    T-Shirts and quality participation medals for the FIRST 200 registrants.

    PRICE:
    By September 5th: $15
    By October 9th: $20
    Race Day Registration (6:45-7:45): $25
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,868
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    Jim E
    #18 jimpo1, Aug 28, 2014
    You're going to run? Using your legs? :eek:
     
  19. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #19 FarmerDave, Aug 29, 2014
    Trying to force a beer baby miscarriage. I'm down 14 pounds in 4 weeks from eating better and running a few miles a day
     
  20. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,319
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    #20 rob lay, Aug 29, 2014
    I'm around, would be fun. Have started running more often and longer too. Doing a half in December.
     
  21. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #21 FarmerDave, Aug 30, 2014
    Race day registration won't be a problem, it's a well organized club. If you decide you want to do it, I'll get you there and back from SJT. Bring the family and/or Tillman is done with law school so he has no excuses, if he doesnt want to run he can be the photog. Tillman is the cofounfer of Scuderia Ignorante and he's never seen our race shop, it's not far from the airport. Jimpo can sit on the wing
     
  22. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,319
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    #22 rob lay, Aug 30, 2014
    Jim will have choir practice, church, or knitting club.
     
  23. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #23 FarmerDave, Aug 30, 2014
    Hah! Busted my ninja edit.
     
  24. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #24 FarmerDave, Sep 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  25. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,778
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    #25 FarmerDave, Sep 17, 2014
    I took these pictures a few minutes ago, my flight happened to make a banked turn directly over the Goodyear facility.
     
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page