- LOCATION:
Phoenix, AZ
- TYPE: mile oval
- LENGTH: 1.0 miles
- RACE
DISTANCE: 200 laps
(200 miles)
-
-
- SETUP
NOTES:
Your qualifying and race setups may differ substantially here.
The fastest cars seem to have some oversteer in them; ideally,
you need to be able to get around this track flat-out, with the
possible exception of a slight lift as you enter turn 1. Stiffen
the left side and increase the stagger setting for optimum performance
in the turns. This track also tends to require a little more
wheel lock than the other short ovals.
-
- A LAP: This is probably
one of the toughest ovals on the CART circuit, and it will quickly
expose a poorly-tuned race car. As you careen down the front
straight at full power, try to ease over to the outside line.
A good car will allow you to lift momentarily without braking
as you steer down into turn 1, the sharpest corner on the track.
Turns 1 and 2 have a sort of downhill/uphill feel to them. When
you get the nose of the car pointed toward the turn 2 exit, get
back on the gas and try to angle toward the outside of the track.
The back straight makes a "D" shape to the left that
can be taken flat-out, but just barely. Entering this bend on
the inside will not leave enough room to exit without striking
the wall. Instead, stay to the outside and cut low across the
apex. The 3rd and 4th turns comprise a long sweep that can be
driven at top speed if the tires are right. Enter turn 3 in the
middle of the track and try to keep the car in the groove until
you've exited 4. Once back on the main straight, move the car
back to the outside as quickly as possible in order to be properly
aligned for turn 1. Keep in mind that a track like PIR can rarely
be run in the optimum line because of the traffic; exercise patience
during the race, and above all try to develop a car setup that
has some forgiveness for taking a variety of racing grooves.
As a final note, try not to accelerate too quickly through the
pit lane exit, as it's very narrow.
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