Oak Tree down!

Sad news from our friends at VIR:

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.”

Aw.

Make a nice bench, even a nice sculpture out of it to allow it to live on.

Wonder if VIR will do some sort of commemorative pieces of the tree like Porsche did with their test track (which I still haven't received!).

Bummer---- The Oak Tree was such a landmark. Maybe they'll put up a statue of one, or plant another?

Damn. I haz a sad over a tree....

Did it come down in a storm or simply fall over?

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Wonder if VIR will do some sort of commemorative pieces of the tree like Porsche did with their test track (which I still haven't received!).

You neither?

Nothing said VIR like the Oak Tree. Would have never thought that the picture of our parade lap at the ALMS race in front of it would be the last

While I hate to hear it's gone, at least it went by natural causes and not poisoned by some boneheaded attention whore.

They should cut it up and make mantles to sell.

Plant another.

Use the wood from this one for plaques and trophies. I like the bench idea too. Seems like plenty of wood to use for many things.

spitfirebill wrote: While I hate to hear it's gone, at least it went by natural causes and not poisoned by some boneheaded attention whore.

True story:

The 5th oldest tree in the world, the Senator, in Longwood, FL was burned down in December of last year by some berkeleyhead methhead trying to light up. This tree was 1,500 years old when baby Jesus was born!

As for Oak Tree, may it rest in piece. I shall pour one out of something aged in oak barrels.

Damn! I will be there next month. I miss that sucker.

I thought I was going to be on two tracks with "oak tree" turns in 1 month. I guess not.

I haz a sad.

Rob R.

Javelin wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Wonder if VIR will do some sort of commemorative pieces of the tree like Porsche did with their test track (which I still haven't received!).

You neither?

I didn't get mine either.

This makes me sad for reasons.

So glad I got to race under her arms just once...

Got to run two 13hrs there. Such a definitive turn of VIR, much like 'The Corkscrew' or the old 'Hairpin' at Sebring.

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Wonder if VIR will do some sort of commemorative pieces of the tree like Porsche did with their test track (which I still haven't received!).

Brilliant!

Gearheadotaku wrote: Plant another. Use the wood from this one for plaques and trophies. I like the bench idea too. Seems like plenty of wood to use for many things.

Brillianter!

I've gone to VIR for a number of years for NASA HPDEs and TTs, but finally got to actually race there in the SCCA SARRC/MARRS Challenge earlier this season. It was possibly the best weekend I've ever spent at a race track, and it was my wife's first time there and she loved it.

We went out for the lunchtime parade laps and I remember saying as we were about to exit turn 10, "You've heard me talk about Oak Tree all these years?" (exit turn 10) " Well there it is!".

Turn 12 will be easier now I suspect, but Oak Tree really made me remember that I was driving where Masten Gregory and Phil Hill had driven before.

A pic from the end of the festivities that excellent weekend:

Infestation? I have tree trimming companies leaving biz cards daily to cut down both my trees in front apparently because of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Javelin wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: While I hate to hear it's gone, at least it went by natural causes and not poisoned by some boneheaded attention whore.

True story: The 5th oldest tree in the world, the Senator, in Longwood, FL was burned down in December of last year by some berkeleyhead methhead trying to light up. This tree was 1,500 years old when baby Jesus was born! As for Oak Tree, may it rest in piece. I shall pour one out of something aged in oak barrels.

I was pretty ticked aboot that. Lots of memories at that park, grew up down the street from it. But plant another and hopefully future people can enjoy the new one just as much as we enjoyed this old one.

Panorama one of my worker buddies took a couple of years ago: (you'll need Quicktime or equivalent)

http://www.yopics.net/Panos/VIR Oak Tree Flag Station Pano.html

EDIT: Okay, I've edited the formatting three times and it still doesn't work. Sorry, guys.

In reply to friedgreencorrado:

tada!