VIR Oak Tree Down

[BRP17]

From Face Book

OAK TREE DOWN


Alton, VA, July 2, 2113 – There is no easy way to say this – The Oak Tree is down. The iconic landmark that has come to symbolize VIRginia International Raceway has fallen, broken at the base.

“We are in shock and mourning,” said track owner Connie Nyholm. “We’re too busy right now trying to get the racetrack cleared of debris. We are grateful no one was at the corner station or on track when she fell and that there is no damage to the track surface. Tomorrow we’ll begin to get our arms around what this really means, but I can tell you that it means more than any of us want to think about today.”

The massive oak stood sentinel at the south end of the racetrack, looking out from the highest point on the property at the sprawling facility and its 3.27 miles of serpentine asphalt that has come to be regarded as the most challenging in North America, if not the world.

Its branches shaded the apex of the legendary Oak Tree Turn, looking down on the likes of Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen, Tom Kristensen and Richard Petty as well as a host of race drivers from the brilliant to the not so.

“I can tell you this,” Nyholm said, “The Oak Tree will live on in our minds and hearts, and we will give it an appropriate send-off. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to oaktree@VIRnow.com for proper ways to honor this old friend.”

 

[MadRR]

Just saw this a little bit ago. Sad news indeed. RIP Oak Tree . I hope they plant another in its place.

 

[Mac K]

No!

 

[Jav]

Wow! Sad news indeed, so much of VIR's character came from that tree, shame to read it's down. They need to come up with some kind of natural-monument to honor it and take its place.

 

[MCNAGTROC]

Sad. Im going up there on the 22nd for our 5th Annual GTR day.. It wont be the same

My Tribute

 

[Wilbur]

Very sad indeed. I'm wondering if it came from all bad storms through this area lately.

 

[MCNAGTROC]

 

[Imari]

Wow! Sad news indeed, so much of VIR's character came from that tree, shame to read it's down. They need to come up with some kind of natural-monument to honor it and take its place.

Start work growing another tree.

 

[Coxis]

Sad news indeed. RIP Oak Tree.

Now let's only hope iRacing won't release a new version of the track. "VIR circa when the tree was around" and "VIR circa 2013".

 

[GUMP07]

Well now I will have to buy VIR in iRacing to see the old tree. Ive been to some races at VIR as a spectator.Don't flame me but its probably safer without a giant oak tree in a corner on a race track.

 

[left888]

That's really wild, a landmark tree if there ever was one. There must have been a disease of some sorts in the old Oak, majestic Oaks just don't fall over in any storm.

 

[Wilbur]

That's really wild, a landmark tree if there ever was one. There must have been a disease of some sorts in the old Oak, majestic Oaks just don't fall over in any storm.

We have had some very bad storms with alot of rain. A tree that's bigger than one at VIR split in two during a recent storm looked like a tornado came through.

 

[Wilbur]

Well now I will have to buy VIR in iRacing to see the old tree. Ive been to some races at VIR as a spectator.Don't flame me but its probably safer without a giant oak tree in a corner on a race track.

Sorry for double post but how, it wasn't like you were going to even hit it at all anyway, so it and the cars/track officials were all protected.

 

[left888]

Different types of trees have different strengths. For example Poplar is a softwood and Oak is a hardwood. We have a lot of huge Poplars and they topple fairly easy. On the other hand Oaks are a hardwood and are not easily toppled.

Some trees have deep roots that make them less likely to topple as a shallow root system found in a Spruce tree.

 

[BRP17]

Sorry for double post but how, it wasn't like you were going to even hit it at all anyway, so it and the cars/track officials were all protected.

I've never raced that section, but my riders did when we
raced Moto-GT with the Grand Am Series. One problem problem with motorcycles is the lack of runoff. Another compliant was birds and that corner being slick due to the shading.