willow springs

[Richard Hudgins]

Hi Scott,

Sounds like you are having fun at Willow. A couple of things I have found there.

Turn 1 and 2. Turn one is much faster then most folks believe. You can shift at the exit of 1 into 4th gear and carry the speed through the turn 2. Downshift to third prior to the turn in for the straight following. (I know this seems odd, but it puts you in the right place of power curve)

Upshift into fourth early so that you stay in the max torque band and carry the speed as deep as possible into the left hander going up top. Carry 2nd around the top and shift early going downhill and carry third through the bottom. You can catch 4th prior to the right over the hill this way.

Turn 8 is a matter of trust in physics. Just keep you boot in it as much as possible.

Turn 9 is always apexed too early by most folks. Square the corner and you will find that you will not drive onto pit lane by mistake. There is a lot more track there than it appears.

(You know, your gut tells you that you are going to run out of track every time you exit nine. But it has plenty of room.)

However, I have put it off there in a F5000 car and it was exciting. I did not hit anything and therefore have gained some stupid courage. (Note: do not do this at home, only severely demented drivers are allowed these actions.)