- LOCATION:
Detroit, MI
- TYPE: temporary street circuit
- LENGTH: 2.1 miles
- RACE
DISTANCE: 77 laps
(161.7 miles)
-
-
- SETUP
NOTES:
This is a narrow circuit; overtaking is difficult. Cornering
speed is the key here, so concentrate on a high-downforce setup.
The middle gear ratios should be fairly tight. Choose softer
tires for maximum grip. Note that most of the tighter corners
point to the right, and also note the tricky right-hander at
pit exit. Since this is a "finesse" track, you may
want to back the turbocharger down a notch or two. Some of the
corners don't have braking markers, so you'll have to use bridges,
buildings, or track signage for reference. In hot weather, slow
down an extra gear in the turns.
-
- A LAP: From the start/finish
line, turn 1 tends to sneak up quickly thanks to a fast entrance
point. This tight right-hander must be taken in 1st or 2nd gear;
as you leave the apex go hard on the accelerator to the entrance
of turn 2. This corner makes a sweep left and can usually be
taken in 3rd gear with little or no braking. Step up one additional
gear out of 2 before braking for turn 3, a sharp right. Using
the bridge as a reference point, brake and downshift into 1st
4as you enter the turn, but try to maintain high rpms in order
to set up for the 4-5-6 combination. Out of 3, build all the
speed you can through the dogleg left leading into turn 4. Watch
for the braking markers coming up on your left that will guide
you into the turn 4 right-hander. Brake hard and downshift to
1st as you make the entrance. Turns 4, 5, and 6 are closely weaved
together, and the entire segment can be driven in 1st gear; work
the accelerator between each corner. As you leave turn 6, climb
back up the gearbox until you reach turn 7, a harrowing, blind
right corner that will severely test your car's braking power.
There are no markers on this turn, so you'll have to develop
a feel for how fast you can drive off of 6 before hitting 7.
The 7th corner will force you down to 1st gear just before hitting
the fastest stretch of the course, a couple of long bends into
the 8th turn. The eighth corner is a third-gear right at the
casino, while turns 9 through 11 take you on a circuitous journey
around the corporate suites. All of these corners are of the
2nd or 3rd gear variety, each one gradually getting sharper until
you get to 12, a 1st-gear hairpin to the right. Begin accelerating
hard off of 12, pausing briefly through turns 13 and 14, two
moderate right-handers. Out of 14 on the main front straight,
stay alert! Drivers just ahead may be braking to enter the pits
to the right.
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