VIR Stock Car Road Race Tests Open to Fans
Written by John Davison · May 15, 2008
DANVILLE, VA – Fans of stock cars and road racing are invited to attend the Stock Car Open Test Day at VIRginia International Raceway on June 3. “Last year’s test attracted over two dozen cars over two thousand fans,” stated track general manager Josh Lief. “Our guests and the teams all had a good time and we intend to continue this tradition.” Tickets to the spectator areas are available at the gate and only $10.
Teams testing last year included Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, Evernham and others. Teams use the VIR North Course in preparing cars and drivers for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in California and New York. Nationwide Series teams test at VIR as well, and these teams are invited to attend.“Bootie” Barker, NASCAR Sprint Cup crew chief, said that “VIR’s got a good layout – you have high speed, you have esses, you have heavy braking, stuff like that. It’s a very nice facility, nice accommodations. You have a place to stay.” The Lodge and Pit Road Suites make VIR even more popular with teams testing, because they don’t have to leave the facility at night.Drivers like the track for its challenges and its amenities alike. “I like the track. It’s really challenging, and a lot of fun at the same time,” comments Dale Earnhardt Jr. He says the track has a “lot of turns, a lot of different inclines, down- and uphill, corners and stuff like that that we don’t really see on other tracks that we run on, road-course-wise. The track itself is really enjoyable and a lot of fun.”Fans who attend the Stock Car Open Test day will be eligible for rides in the VIR Volkswagen R32 Pace Cars at the end of the day or at lunch if time permits. Food and VIR souvenirs will also be available.VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. Reopened in 2000, VIR hosts a wide range professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing and track events, and is well established as “America’s Motorsport Resort.” In addition to its historic 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park and Motorsports Technology Park, which includes the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (“VIPER”); the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved natural terrain karting circuit; an expanding variety of on-site lodging (including 45 hotel rooms and the trackside Villas which are for sale); Camp Motorsport for enthusiasts of all ages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.VIR’s calendar for 2008 includes a new “Wings and Wheels” air and car show joined with the Heacock Classic Historic Races vintage weekend, June 6-8.The AMA Big Kahuna Superbike National on August 15-17 brings America’s best Superbike racers to VIR’s North Course; GT Live and the KONI Challenge bring a combination of motorcycle stunts, drifting, track attack and endurance sports car races; all combined with a wide variety of amateur and vintage road racing throughout the year. The season ends with the US Kart Grand Prix, December 12-14.Season passes to VIR’s major events include preferred parking and access to the major spectator events. For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.– XXX –
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