astrodude, as a native of Houston, I'm curious as to what you think of these designs.
Yeah, I'd love to chime in. 👍
This one is a little impractical. It's too long, and two corners would require special bridges built to connect them, and it goes through some neighbourhoods that don't look too good from the air. But I like the simple shape and some of the faster bends:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364578
Ok, you've already figured out the problems. That area north of Downtown and Interstate 10 is pretty sketchy. Not exactly the best area of town to hold a race on the streets.
Again, this is far too long and would probably require Houston to shut down its hospitals for a weekend. But I reckon the shape is pretty conductive to good racing; I wouldn't mind seeing this scaled down to about five kilometres.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364582
I do quite like that one. It doesn't go too much into the Texas Medical Center, and most of the hospitals are still accessible to the east. Almost all of the hospitals in the Medical Center are all connected via skyways or underground tunnel walkways. So any hospitals that might be cut off can still be accessed. I also really like the ring around Rice University.
For me, the shape tends to be everything. My designs are often far too long, but the length is not what we're looking for. It's the flow, the rhythm. This might be thirteen kilometres through built-up residential areas and requiring health services to be put on hold, but all of that is inconsequential. Build this in the middle of a large vacant lot and watch them go at it. And ignore that little chicane on Braeswood Boulevard. It's not supposed to be there:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364585
Wow, that one is a bit long! But nice! I really like the use of MacGregor Way right along Brays Bayou. I guess if there was ever a 24 Hours of Houston, that would be a good track.
Dear America,
Please build more cities like Houston and less like Los Angeles. And then hold races in them. As this next one proves, Houston is a racing driver's paradise.
Love,
Racing fans all around the world:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364590
Agree with ya! Houston has some fantastic roads, as well as some wide roads. Heck, we have the widest freeway in the world (Section of Interstate 10 known as the Katy Freeway). A city circuit would be fantastic here!
Yes, I am aware this circuit calls for shutting down a major freeway. And that it runs through residental areas. And yes, I know it looks like a giant penis with a squiggly bit at the bottom. But, citizen of Houston, revel!, for I have brought you motorsports:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364602
Actually, only the feeder roads would have to be shut down. It looks like Interstate 45 could be left open, just with a few of those exits closed for the race weekend. Same problem with the first track though is that the penis track goes through another pretty sketchy part of town. The fact that the straight to the east of UH along Gulfcrest is situated right next to an abortion clinic should be a big giveaway.
But the layout looks good.
The one thing that I look for besides a good layout is a good location. Take the downtown track I posted right above you. A lap takes you around
this,
this and oh look, a ferris wheel!
It's perfect for an F1 race! And the track goes
through this, and
this And a bunch of other cool stuff downtown.
Whenever I make a new track on gmaps, I always have Google Maps open in the next tab. That way I always check where I'm going on streetview. That way, I always have optimal routes that would be good for a Formula One race.
I just thought of an idea. A contest to see who can make the best street course. We all do the same city or area. And pick different styles each times.
