Blackhawk Farms Raceway - unpopular?

Sterling Doc · #1 06-02-2010, 04:09 PM

Seems like every year turnouts are among the lowest at this track vs. the rest of the schedule.

Is it still it's legacy as a car & brake eating, tree -lined swamp, the previous poor repair of the facilities, or the track itself? It's a much nicer facility than it used to be, but maybe it's reputation is still an issue?

I think it's a pretty fun track - had a blast there last year, with some great racing (after a really poor start) - video here:
http://www.vimeo.com/6171499

Just curious, as NASA is scheduled to go back again next weekend, and entires are again down (after the last event at Putnam sold out).

Opinions?

billy · #2 06-02-2010, 06:44 PM

I think it doesn't have the reputation of the other tracks. If you're going to spend the time/money to go to the track then Brainerd, MAM or Road America are better venues for my dollars than black hawk. I guess thats my take anyways. I've yet to venture out this year but will soon. Marathon training is taking a lot of time and my long runs are on Sundays which doesn't help.

Sterling Doc · #3 06-03-2010, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the input, Billy.

It's certainly not on the level of R.A. or BIR, but I wonder why it's less popular than other club level tracks like Putnam, Autobahn, etc. It's more interesting than either of those two, IMO.

f1rocks · #4 06-03-2010, 11:01 AM

I'd pull to Blackhawk before I ever went back to Brainerd...

I think there is a reputation for really bad paddock area and at the end of the day that is where we spend 90% of our time during a race weekend right?

When you consider the economy and many racers having to drop one or more races a season, I'm sure they will drop the tracks that they don't have as much fun. We always have fun at Topeka, the facilities are fantastic etc...longer tow but if I have to spend an extra $100 in tow fuel but make up for it in the fun factor I'll do it. These smaller venues are going to have a tough time of it for the next couple seasons I hope they make it though.

Sterling Doc · #5 06-03-2010, 01:06 PM

Good points about the economy in general. Maybe more racers are putting things off, floating credit cards & waiting to the last minute to register. We'll see how things actually pan out.

With new toilets, showers, and tech shed, the facilities are much better now. I like the shade/trees.

It looks like we'll have have a decent turnout there for Spec cars, especially if Andrew Cox gets his motor in time, but the big bore classes are really suffering.

Billy, now that your in shape - going to do the enduro at Autobahn?

Or you could be car #8 at Blackhawk!

The Putnam enduro was a blast, and we finally proved the enduro potential of the 944 with a run from dead last to 1st overall. Burned just over 21 gallons in 3 hours. Started with a topped off tank, filled with the mandatory 5 gallons, and pumped 5 gallons out afterwards (unplugged the fuel line, and ran the pump until the tank went dry = 5 gal.).

Mike_B · #6 06-06-2010, 08:41 PM

I like Blackhawk. I'm only do DE, so I don't know how it is to race there. Seems to me that there aren't many places to pass (pretty much only the last turn and T1). Maybe that has something to do with it.

I know they owners are working on making it better. I've been told that they're addressing (and already have to some extent) the tree issue.

Feffman · #7 06-11-2010, 05:58 AM

We (www.MVPTrackTime.com) ran events at Blackhawk for two years and there is a concerted effort by the new owners to improve the track annually. They are genuinely making progress.

The track is fun, but it's a hard sell with Autobahn and Road America, essentially in Blackhawk's back yard. We opted to go with Road America in 2010, droping our Blackhawk date for now.

Feff