[VASC19R31R32] Coates Hire Newcastle 500, Newcastle Street Circuit 22-24 Nov

[Purist]

I took another look at the track, and also found an updated layout with the tweak for this year. So here are my thoughts, within the rough framework we have.

1. Straighten the approach to Turn 1. In addition, ease the apex at T1 by rounding it off and bringing the curb in just a little. This will make T1 itself roomier, and therefore better for overtaking; the increased apex speed will reduce the accordion effect up the hill, keeping the cars closer together on the approach to Turn 2, giving a better shot there as well.

2. Round off the profile of the curbing at Turn 6, so you don't have that sharp point upsetting the cars right in the middle of the corner. This will allow closer running, and possibly more overtaking opportunities into the stairsteps at Turns 7-9.

3. Smooth the profile of the curves and kinks from Nobby's Rd. to Turn 11; making it so the cars are less on-edge, and you have more useful, extra width to set up a move, will help substantially into the hairpin. And yes, undo the change made to T11 for this year; it's not really helping, and going back to a slightly quicker apex will improve the chances of successful dives into T12 once more.

More minor stuff would be, possibly, taking out the curbing altogether at a few of those 90-degree corners, like Turns 2, 7, and 8.

If run-off could be sorted, reversing the course direction might be a net positive. The overtaking potential at the end of the pit stretch going that way could well be better. Also, those bends and kinks on Nobby's Rd. would be slower, hopefully making them easy flat, giving a more straightforward run into the braking zone at the then right-hander that is currently Turn 9. Of course, since the initial pull out at the start of the run going either way is uphill, it may be kind of six one, half-a-dozen the other in that section. The other big help with running clockwise would be that Watt St. becomes a downhill run.

In terms of topography and overtaking, consider how close guys stick together going down the hill from La Source to Eau Rouge at Spa. Now, on the other hand, think how far up the Dottinger Hohe on the Nordschleife guys have to get before even considering an overtake.

Ironically, Nobby's Rd. would be one place where more downforce would likely help, by making the run through there easy flat, which would allow the guys to focus on setting up a move, rather than having to be consumed with just keeping the cars on the road.