[VASC17R25R26] Coates Hire Newcastle 500:24-26 Nov

**GTRMagic** · 5 Nov 2017, 05:15 (Ref:3778729)

And this is it.
The final races of the series.
A brand new street circuit.
Somewhere nobody has raced before.
No data.
No simulation.
No muscle memory.

First drive will be Friday.

26 cars.

One race track.

5 driver's championship contenders. 2 team championship contenders.

26 pilots trying for the first win at the new track.

Will the Holden mafia and the Ford collectives hold ranks and help the titleists?

And who knows what might happen.....

Newcastle... is Go!!

peckstar · 5 Nov 2017, 05:20 (Ref:3778730)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Will the Holden mafia and the Ford collectives hold ranks and help the titleists?

Newcastle... is Go!!

Didnt seem to work that way this weekend. seemed to be a bit of friendly fire, esepcially in the Ford camp

Newcastle might be different. Now that PRA are really out of hunt

**GTRMagic** · 5 Nov 2017, 05:23 (Ref:3778733)

I wondered though... whether 888 might be inspired to enter a 3rd Commodore into a somewhat transient grid slot... to give them 3 cars at the top of the tree to play with...

Purist · 5 Nov 2017, 19:49 (Ref:3778889)

The event consists of two 95-lap races over a 2.65-km/1.65-mi, 14-turn street circuit to give 500 km overall.

Despite it being a street circuit, only four of the 14 turns appear to be conventional, 90-degree intersection turns (Turns 2 and 7-9). At least from what I've seen so far, Turn 1 is less than 90 degrees, and has a more radiused inner margin, so it should be quicker than might be expected.

There's a great esses section from Turns 3-6, which kind of reminds me of the esses at San Antonio when IMSA ran the course there counterclockwise in 1989-90. You also get a few nice sweeping corners at Turns 10-11 and 14. Those bends on the run from Turn 9 to the T12 hairpin sort of remind me of the back stretch at the CART circuit in Denver (2002-06).

Hopefully, they position the cameras such that we get at least some appreciation for the climb from Turn 1 to T2, and then the descent through the esses, as this track has some marked elevation changes.

Finally, over the course of a lap, it looks like there are three good overtaking points, at Turns 1, 2, and 12. Also, I could see things happening in the rhythm sections that stretch from the exit of Turn 2 to the exit of T9.

It'll be a fast course, especially for a street circuit. Honestly, I'd kind of like to see Indy Cars or LMPs have a go here. It looks like fun, and with real scope for racing as well.

Here's that recent flyover video again to get a preliminary look at the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D6R...ature=youtu.be

peckstar · 5 Nov 2017, 19:51 (Ref:3778891)

cheers purist.

Any analysis on where i should aim to sit as a spectator

Purist · 5 Nov 2017, 22:06 (Ref:3778905)

In general terms, if you can find a good view of the esses, that would be a visually spectacular spot, even if there isn't as much overtaking right there.

Something on the approach to the Turn 12 hairpin, or on the inside of the loop, where you might have a view of cars both before and after going through the hairpin.

The exit of Turn 13 could be fun, seeing how well guys get on the power at the top of the front stretch and then swing through the bend at T14 before the pits.

The final main spot would seem to be the approach to Turn T1.

It's hard to say in specific terms, as I'm not sure exactly what's there now, and what's actually already sold out. There was the one main map I found on the event website, but I don't know how up to date it is.

For the sake of access and ease of movement, I hope they've added a fourth bridge to the plan, crossing the track at the first or second intersection following Turn 9.

It would also be good if they have a screen or two in that parkland area on the infield side of Turn 6.

peckstar · 5 Nov 2017, 22:40 (Ref:3778906)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

In general terms, if you can find a good view of the esses, that would be a visually spectacular spot, even if there isn't as much overtaking right there.

Something on the approach to the Turn 12 hairpin, or on the inside of the loop, where you might have a view of cars both before and after going through the hairpin.

The exit of Turn 13 could be fun, seeing how well guys get on the power at the top of the front stretch and then swing through the bend at T14 before the pits.

The final main spot would seem to be the approach to Turn T1.

It's hard to say in specific terms, as I'm not sure exactly what's there now, and what's actually already sold out. There was the one main map I found on the event website, but I don't know how up to date it is.

For the sake of access and ease of movement, I hope they've added a fourth bridge to the plan, crossing the track at the first or second intersection following Turn 9.

It would also be good if they have a screen or two in that parkland area on the infield side of Turn 6.

cheers, thanks for the tips