VIR Forms Committee, Track Designer Alan Wilson Offers Help To Address Concerns Over New FIA Curbing

VIR Forms Committee, Track Designer Alan Wilson Offers Help To Address Concerns Over New FIA Curbing

© 2012, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Roadracingworld.com has learned from multiple sources that VIRginia International Raceway is forming a new committee to investigate and address concerns that have been raised by the design of its new curbing, which is being added to earn the track FIA Grade Two certification. VIR Director of Track Operations Kerrigan Smith is forming a committee consisting of former AMA Pro Road Racing Operations Manager Ron Barrick, NESBA President Bob Blandford, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing President Evelyne Clarke, California Superbike School founder Keith Code, ASRA/CCS boss Kevin Elliott, Team Pro-Motion Owner Glen Goldman and Cornerspeed riding school CEO and Chief Instructor Aaron Stevenson to investigate and address concerns that have been raised by photos (seen at right) of the new curbing being installed in some corners of its 3.27-mile Full Course. Roadracingworld.com reported on the new curbing in December of 2011, including concerns that the design, particularly the vertical “back wall” specified in the FIA spec, could be hazardous to motorcycle riders in a crash. But that “back wall” can be eliminated and the curbing can still receive FIA Grade Two certification, as at Miller Motorsports Park, according to noted track designer Alan Wilson. When contacted by Roadracingworld.com and asked if he would be willing to help VIR get FIA Grade Two certification without the “back wall” on the curbs, Wilson said he would be happy to help VIR. “Just ask [VIR Co-Owner and Managing Partner] Connie Nyholm to give me a call,” Wilson said. A phone call to VIR’s Smith seeking comment for this story had not been returned at post time. Charlie Whiting, the FIA Safety Inspector and Formula 1 Race Director, is inspecting VIR today with Smith and Nyholm.

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