79 replies to this topic

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

I was just wondering what your thoughts are about Nelson Ledges.

Would you return or go to race there if the track and grounds where renovated ?

Your thoughts about adding an extra mile to the track to have a short 2 mile track or a 3 mile long course weekend ?

What about putting in a kart track as well ?

Or any other suggestion you might have about what can be done !

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I am normally not one that thinks about safety all that much when going racing.  but I have to say this is the one track I am afraid to go off.  seen some very mangled cars that went off into the trees.

 

To me make some runoff areas  and sand traps especially exiting the carousel and t1, fix the tire walls that are built like launching ramps, repave the track...

 

I think the track layout is cool. adding another mile would be awesome though

 

the surrounding area for hotels and food is horrible, the scca region that runs the races that are held there has less then zero tech which is a huge turn off to me. 

 

there's my 2cents

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

I had the same kind of thoughts about the place. The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to work something out with someone and trying to feel out if it's worth putting money into the place.

[Tom Sager]

I'm probably the only one here that will ever say this....This track is on my bucket list as I haven't been there in about 15 years and never in a Miata.  I have so many great memories of the place from when I was a kid and racing years ago.  It would be great if management could get their act together or if new management took over and got the place operating well again.  Yeah, it's alway been a dingy facility without many nearby amenities but the track is a blast IMO and I remember some great racing there over the years.  Don't like seeing race tracks fail. Even some of the big ones have had financial and management issues over the years.  Like many businesses, it's a tough one. 

[LarryKing]

Go back? I never left! I ran the events there in 2014 - planned on running the 2015 events until they all were cancelled. I like having more than one track to visit in Ohio.

 

NL could be a real gem of the midwest. SMs average 90 mph on the current crappy surface. To do it right would take $3 or $4 million for a complete repave and to rehab the structures, a la VIR.

 

As far as safety goes - how many people have destroyed cars at Watkins Glen and Road America? I can't recall more than one or two write-offs at NL.

 

And as for amenities - you just need to know where to look. (hint - opposite direction of Warren)

 

Kuch - you know some investors?

[Johnny D]

https://www.youtube....h?v=-hIXkJ5eVKE

 

J~

[chris haldeman]

My road racing life began at Nelson ledges in 1989 on 2 wheels. Love the place! Never made it there with a car yet but would Love too !

[pat slattery]

I would like to see more tire walls.  

[Michael Novak]

I find Nelsons one of my favorite places to race. I think with the tire walls and woods it is also one of the most dangerous places at the same time. 

[Johnny D]

https://www.youtube....h?v=Z5EisF1rzew

 

J~

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

Go back? I never left! I ran the events there in 2014 - planned on running the 2015 events until they all were cancelled. I like having more than one track to visit in Ohio.
 
NL could be a real gem of the midwest. SMs average 90 mph on the current crappy surface. To do it right would take $3 or $4 million for a complete repave and to rehab the structures, a la VIR.
 
As far as safety goes - how many people have destroyed cars at Watkins Glen and Road America? I can't recall more than one or two write-offs at NL.
 
And as for amenities - you just need to know where to look. (hint - opposite direction of Warren)
 
Kuch - you know some investors?

I'm working on it !

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

J~

Johnny Those are a couple of old racesI remember both of those races. The first video you posted I had pole and decided to start in the back of the 25 car field. I got up to the lead and then I pulled in early. I didn't want to mess up anyones points for the year so I came in a lap early. I just wanted some practice with passing.

That second video I think was a National race and I remember seeing that in my mirror,that got ugly real quick and I don't even remember how or who was involved in that wreck.

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

I would like to see more tire walls.  

Pat you don't think they have enough tires ? Lol

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

 
J~

Mike C would remember this one !

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

http://youtu.be/NFdHtozp_BE

Here is mine !

[Johnny D]

Johnny Those are a couple of old racesI remember both of those races. The first video you posted I had pole and decided to start in the back of the 25 car field. I got up to the lead and then I pulled in early. I didn't want to mess up anyones points for the year so I came in a lap early. I just wanted some practice with passing.

That second video I think was a National race and I remember seeing that in my mirror,that got ugly real quick and I don't even remember how or who was involved in that wreck.

I thought I saw you pass the guy at the 3min mark.

J~

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

I thought I saw you pass the guy at the 3min mark.
J~

I passed him and I was pushing a friend of mine for two laps trying to help him out.

[FTodaro]

The current design is in my mind extremely dangerous. I say this "Denny" because there is no runoff and recovery at this track, if you drop a wheel just about anyplace your going to hit something hard and destroy the car. I cannot think of any other place that this is true everywhere.

Having said that it has history and the layout is fast, and fun. If they fixed the safety issues, and fixed the facilitates so its not so 1920's i would go back. However after climbing the tire wall at the exit of the carousel a few years ago, i vowed to not return.

 

SCCA canceled its events there this year as i understand it, Management is also an issue now in addition-to the track conditions.

 

Kuch, if you paved it, replaced the bathrooms and showers, put in some gravel traps and you might sell it out.

[bvondran]

I LOVE Nelson Ledges.  It's my home track and first track I ever drove.  I raced there thrice in 2013 (i think we met in October) and twice in 2014, and I've been working races there with MVR since 2007. 

 

It could definitely use some spots repaved, but I don't know that I would pave all the track, might lose too much of its character and actually make it more dangerous if speeds icrease too much.  There are spots, however, where the surface is completely alligatored and loos, and only held down by some sealant.  And drainage under a lot of the track is gone

 

Would need to rebuild a lot of tire wall.  The tires are completely breaking down and have no support structure, so they become a ramp.  Would need to band and bolt a lot of tires.  And probably dig out behind the tires to provide some support structure behind the tires.  I'm certain that we could get some volunteers out to help this along, but you would need to find a source for tires AND a place to dispose of the old tires.

 

And cut the grass.  (At the spring race last year, a miata went off at turn one.  Couldn't see him as the grass was taller than the roof of his car.)

 

And get new management, the guys running that place now are a clown shop.

 

All those things are a good start to getting the facility back in racing shape.

MVR did a lot of work last year with the owner and his son identifying what needed to be fixed at the track (well, MVR members did a little work and Reed Kryder did a LOT of work).  It's all fixable and I think there's a spot for a track like Nelson.  I honestly have no idea what it would cost, but would love to see it happen. 

 

I'm wishing you the best of luck.  I'd be happy to help any way that I can.

 

Brian

#57SM

[bvondran]

That second video I think was a National race and I remember seeing that in my mirror,that got ugly real quick and I don't even remember how or who was involved in that wreck.

I think that was the MARRS race weekend, and there were close to or north of 50 cars in that run group.  I was working sound control (easiest job at the track) and watched it. YIKES!

 

Brian

#57SM