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VIRGIN
VIRginia International Raceway has been promoted to the third round of the 2017 MotoAmerica Championship after acting as the fourth stop in 2016. It was originally built in the 1950’s and became open for business in 1957, but it closed down after a nearly twenty year period in 1974.
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GRIDMOTO • JUNE 2017
It wasn’t until 2000 that the circuit was reopened after serving as farmland, undergoing heavy renovations including repaving and widening the course in an attempt to transition it into a world class facility. One of the unique characteristics about VIR goes beyond the racetrack -- it’s billed as a ‘Motorsport Resort’ and contains it’s own lodging, dining, spa, and gun ranges on the same property as the track.
The massive complex in Alton, VA is home to over four miles of race track that consists of six different variations, but MotoAmerica only utilizes about half of the available asphalt by compet- ing on the North Course. It’s 2.25 miles in length and contains seventeen corners, most notably consisting of multiple switchback sections that make the track somewhat one lined for motorcycle racing. Despite the tight and twisty sections of the course, it also provides some classic overtak- ing possibilities with a lengthy front straightaway that includes a kink just after the finish line,