07-20-2009, 07:56 AM
opus wrote:
Like Bob said, the safety features, guardrails, etc...are usually for only 1 direction. Also turns that are really fast can be dangerous backwards because really fast turns are normally increasing radius and run backwards they become decreasing radius. The best example of this is the esses at Jefferson, counter-clockwise they are increasing radius, clockwise they are decreasing radius.
Also this is why I personally don't like Pocono North backwards. The final turn off the bowl backwards is scary and difficult to take fast because the bowl becomes decreasing radius and then you're trying to turn and brake at the end. If you do screw it up and go too fast you'd hit the wall at track-out.
Quote:Just curious, what is the reason Thunderbolt (and most other tracks) runs only one direction?
Like Bob said, the safety features, guardrails, etc...are usually for only 1 direction. Also turns that are really fast can be dangerous backwards because really fast turns are normally increasing radius and run backwards they become decreasing radius. The best example of this is the esses at Jefferson, counter-clockwise they are increasing radius, clockwise they are decreasing radius.
Also this is why I personally don't like Pocono North backwards. The final turn off the bowl backwards is scary and difficult to take fast because the bowl becomes decreasing radius and then you're trying to turn and brake at the end. If you do screw it up and go too fast you'd hit the wall at track-out.