Laps from the new Chuckwalla Valley Race Track

[Randy Chase]

Went out on Friday to Chuckwalla. This is a brand new SoCal track that opened in April 2010. At the track were some media guys and some special invites, as well as the Palm Springs Corvette Club.

I was going to take the race prepped MR2 to the track.. but at the last minute decided to take the Rossion instead. I needed to drop the Rossion off for some servicing in Ontario, which is just west of the track. The downside is, I have not been tracking the Rossion (since I used the Noble) and it turns out that the tires on the car were heat cycled out and gone.

If you listen to the video, you can hear the tires howling in protest... so it kinda sucked to go as slow as I did. I know the car is a lot faster than it was on Friday. But I was there for other reasons and it was a very successful day.

We 100% mapped the edges of the track using the Chase Commander so we can now integrate the GPS track maps and indicate where on the track the car is. Look for more on that soon.

We also wanted to just check out this new track and see what it was like. We had heard it was designed to be very safe with lots of run off room, and with some interesting elements including a cork screw and a cambered bowl.

I am happy to report that the track is indeed awesome and I would love to go back with good tires and see what the car can do.

One of the main guys there is a Lotus Elise driver, who is the main architect of the facility. They are planning on garages (hot ones also) and a tower and more. Right now... you have a track, pit wall, portapotties. But more is coming.

So check it out... they have some open track days and the guys who run it all seem top notch. And if the BBQ guy is there... it is worth the trip for that food.

Here are the track owners going over the track turns


In the background you can see the people lining up for the BBQ



Norm's 2-Eleven



Getting ready to head out, we also brought the race prepped BMW


And this car showed up to run too. Pretty cool.

[Randy Chase]

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFv_piz_iCU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Rick Brown]

Looks like a great track and relatively close. Been watching a lot of motorcycle videos of it on the bike forum I'm also on. Groups that put on motorcycle track days are scheduling events there. They all seem to love it, too.

[Jeff Shyu]

makes me itch even more to get a motorcycle again.. >_<

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Do they have a go-kart track also?

[Rick Brown]

Do they have a go-kart track also?

No, not yet, but additional tracks are planned for the facility.

[Rick Brown]

makes me itch even more to get a motorcycle again.. >_<

Here ya go Jeff.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_1SmXz3ylk&feature" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

makes me itch even more to get a motorcycle again.. >_<

Are you serious about buying one? If so, street-legal or one for track duty only?

[Jeff Shyu]

makes me itch even more to get a motorcycle again.. >_<

Are you serious about buying one? If so, street-legal or one for track duty only?

that's actually a really good question.

my friend and i stopped riding because our favorite road (palomar) had massive police crack down, and also, there was a serious influx of accidents / fatalities from people who really had no business up on that mountain, at least not at the speeds they were going. it just became too dangerous to ride on the streets for us.

having said that though, the difference between a street-legal and a track capable bike really isn't that different. I'll probably try to find an older 600 and get track body for it. had enough of the liter bikes, i have more fun on a 600..

I was surprised that you can get an Aprilia Mille (early models) for 4k. those bikes were fast on the track right out of the box

[Jayson Woodruff]

for some servicing in Ontario, which is just west of the track.

Yeah I guess if you define 2+hr as 'just west'.

They have big diverse plans. There are lots of potential projects out there with big diverse plans that don't come true, but this one is way ahead by actually getting the track in. So hopfully we'll get all those goodies in the near future.

Jay W

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

makes me itch even more to get a motorcycle again.. >_<

Are you serious about buying one? If so, street-legal or one for track duty only?

that's actually a really good question.

I ask because my former roommate has 2 bikes: Ducati (for the street), Suzuki SV (track-only), and he's thinking of selling the Suzuki. So if you're curious shoot me a PM.

[Jeff Shyu]

for some servicing in Ontario, which is just west of the track.

Yeah I guess if you define 2+hr as 'just west'.

i thought it was closer, though, upon mapping it, looks like 3 hours from long beach, which is still further away than buttonwillow, or WSIR.

Personal preference is still buttonwillow, i like the diverse track. CVR looks fun though, would definitely like to ride on it.

[Jeff Shyu]

I ask because my former roommate has 2 bikes: Ducati (for the street), Suzuki SV (track-only), and he's thinking of selling the Suzuki. So if you're curious shoot me a PM.

i know the SV is a very capable bike, but i'm not a real fan of the upright (well, to me it's very upright, you'd have to ask marshal and aaron to describe my riding, i guess) type riding. I like being able to see the front of my bike if i look down..

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Ah ok. Not into bikes so can't really know what's good or not. I know he prefers either Streets of Willow or Big Willow. Buttonwillow's ok for him. Likes Cal Speedway. For cars, I like Buttonwillow due to the "auto-x" nature of the track. Then Cal Speedway with it's mix of infield and oval. Willow is...who's gotta the biggest cajones into Turn 8 & 9....and is your life insurance policy up to date!

[Jeff Shyu]

well, i ride the liter bikes like a 600 (which is why i want a 600 this time around), so button's fun for me. flicking the bike back and forth excites me, big long power burning sweepers get kinda boring after you settle in..