- LOCATION:
Portland, OR
- TYPE: permanent road course
- LENGTH: 1.95 miles
- RACE
DISTANCE: 102 laps
(198.9 miles)
-
-
- SETUP
NOTES:
One of the clockwise-running circuits. Cornering speed is extremely
important on this circuit; start with as much downforce as possible,
and gradually get accustomed to using less wing. Soften the tires
for maximum grip. Tighten the gear ratios for maximum acceleration,
more important than top speed on this track. Set 6th gear up
so the engine light just begins to blink at the end of the front
straight, before the chicane.
-
- A LAP: On the wide
front straight, you'll be in high gear as you cross the start/finish
line. Keep an eye out for the braking markers appearing on your
left. When you reach the outer marker, downshift to 2nd and brake
for the chicane. Using an early move, dart to the right across
the apex, then quickly back to the left as you clip the second
half of the chicane. Shift back up to 6th as you head for turns
1, 1A, and 2, three corners that join together to form a long
4th-gear complex. Drop down to 4th as you round the outside of
the turn, add some power back as you exit number 2. Before you're
able to shift up, however, you'll drop down to 3rd and negotiate
turn 4, a looping left-hander. Turn 4 is directly adjoined to
turn 5, a 2nd-gear corner that takes you back to the right. When
you reach 5A, you'll begin to shift back up hard, eventually
reaching 6th gear on the backstretch. The roadway is a bit narrow
through here because the asphalt bends slightly right (hence
its nickname, the Banana). At the end of this segment, you'll
approach the turn 7 braking markers to your left. This is a great
place to attempt an outbraking maneuver, downshifting to 4th
and ducking to the left. Stay in 4th around turn 8, then shift
down to 2nd and brake for the turn 9 hairpin. Avoid the temptation
of getting back on the gas too early out of 9, or you'll be spinning
toward the pit entrance. Patiently reapply the power until you
feel the tires gripping again, then get back up to 6th and head
for the start/finish line.
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