I haven’t been to Pocono Raceway since my eldest daughter was just starting to walk and talk, and now my second daughter has hit that same milestone. I will never forget my first visit to Pocono’s “Mega Course” (PMC) configuration, with sage consult from renowned track hopper and GTM member Mike C, we jumped into my wife’s mom-mobile at that time: a Jetta Sportwagen Diesel with flappy-paddle gearbox. During our introductory tour of the track, I kept finding myself asking Mike, “are we there yet? … where the heck is start/finish?” … to which he replied: just keep driving.
Pocono’s entrance with it’s dual tunnels and waterfall, were apparently designed by some folks from Disney. Adding the tune from “song of the south” and some animatronic dancing bears (aka the “Splash Mountain” ride) would have been a nice touch.
The PMC
Not to be confused with the Pocono FUSA (Formula USA configuration) – is probably one of – if not – the longest road course configurations on East Coast, clocking in at well over 4 miles. The PMC utilizes both available in-fields as well as NASCAR Turns 1 & 2. Lap times for a moderately powered track car are in the 2:50 range.
Upon my last visit to Pocono it turned out to be a hectic one day event, I brought my family for the weekend instead of a track car. I took on a student and ended up borrowing a couple cars throughout the day. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of “one day events” and rarely go to them. Pocono is a tough track to get dates for, especially an entire weekend. But – by hook or by crook – our friends at HookedOnDriving (HOD) were able to secure a 2-day event on the PMC for the first time! HOD also spiced things up for everyone, by opening the full Tri-Oval for 30 minutes at the end of each day. With that said, if you haven’t driven the PMC you need to try it – at least once – it makes for a breathtaking first impression even for the most seasoned driver. #itsgonnabehuge.
When reality sets in; our overall impressions
Pocono is one of those courses where even with 500, no wait – 700, errr… 950 bhp! you still feel like you need more. Typical of any Roval (Road Course + Oval) the straights seem endless and the in-field is flat. Finding good reference points is tough when there is no elevation, or trees, or visible curbing… heck, there aren’t even legitimate flagger stations. Although, I was happy to see they finally got the flagger at the transition to the back straight (NASCAR Turn 2) a chair by Sunday.
The in-field is akin to a lazy river of asphalt. It’s a repetitive rhythm of repeated or mirrored corners. The transitions from in-field to the oval are bumpy to say the least. In the end, this makes for a very long, and some would argue “boring” lap – but, I’d like to use adjective “stressful” instead. It takes more concentration, memory and focus to navigate a course like the PMC than a shorter lather-rinse-repeat configuration you might be used to. It’s all too easy to mess up a lap at the PMC with 3 minutes to go it feels like an eternity before you can come back around to “try something else” or “correct your mistake” – which can be very frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, Pocono has other configurations: North, South, FUSA, etc., which are all shorter… But what’s the point? #goBIGorgoHOME.
Admittedly, these new challenges and stresses left a lot of our crew feeling a bit underwhelmed. And as one member pointed out, aside the NASCAR Turns the PMC doesn’t have a signature corner or combination, it’s most memorable aspect is that it’s HUGE!
Overall, I would make the argument that a track like the PMC is nearly as tiring as Summit Point’s Shenandoah (Shenny) Circuit. Shenny, with its seemingly endless turns, never gives the driver a break whereas the PMC is so long and you have to maintain focus so far ahead it’s equally as tiring. In either case a nap or two helps you get through the day. (or maybe it was #foodcoma.)
The camaraderie and enthusiasm for driving is what fuels us at GTM. Some tracks have a “fun lap” like Pitt Race, or a “highly technical lap” like Mid-Ohio, but each track brings something new to the table and an opportunity to challenge yourself as a driver and learn. We hope to see more of you as the season progresses; and don’t forget about our 4th Anniversary celebration at Shenandoah Circuit on the 28th of July. Until then…
