7 Tracks to Wring Out Your Mustang
Going fast in a straight line can be a thrill, but the handling, braking power, and horsepower provided by the ever evolving Mustang scream of racetrack prowess. The sweepers, chicanes, hairpins, and blind apexes, combined with lengthy straights and run-off room provided by racetracks make for the perfect environment to not only test the potential of your car but also your performance driving skillset.
1. Taking It to The Track
Few places provide you the opportunity to exploit your Mustang's potential like a racetrack does. Although watching a race from the comfort of your couch can be entertaining in itself, nothing compares to the experience of pushing the limits of your own car around the twists, bends and straightaways that a racetrack provides. America provides dozens of spectacular tracks that regularly host driving events, so here are a few to whet your driving appetite.
2. Laguna Seca - Monterey/Salinas, CA
One could probably build an entire list of great tracks located in the state of California alone, but atop that list would sit Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Not only does Laguna feature one of the most iconic corners in all of road racing with its left-right downhill Corkscrew, but it is a true driver's track that follows the natural undulations of the location's land. The 2.2 mile, 11-turn layout does not feature a lengthy straightaway like many tracks but requires the challenge of perfectly tying all the corners together to turn a quick lap. The weather, track surface, and facilities are great, just be prepared to have your stock exhaust on hand as many events have a 90-decibel noise limit as to not upset nearby Monterey County Residents. Tragic, we know.
3. Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, CA
Those looking to put the pedal to the metal in an attempt to reach a maximum speed will find Auto Club Speedway an ideal track. The auto competition course provides a 19-turn infield combined with nearly two-thirds of the D-shaped Nascar oval that allows for speeds of 150+ mph. Additional configurations include a 1.2 mile, an 8-turn interior circuit as well as a highly popular drag strip and autocross courses. The facility has tons of room and garages available to accommodate your party and is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the entertainment provided by downtown Los Angeles.
3. Circuit of The Americas - Austin, TX
Considered by many to be the premier racing circuit in the United States, Circuit of The Americas was designed with Grand Prix racing in mind. This state of the art circuit is the most expensive track ever built in North America, and samples from some of the great European tracks such as Hockenheim, Istanbul, and Silverstone were used as inspiration to make up its 20 bends throughout the 3.4-mile course. Additionally, the track features a 3/4 mile-long back straight that allows individuals to really unleash the power of their car. More importantly, the open-track layout is perhaps one of the safest as it provides plenty of run-off room, safety fencing, and air fences to reduce the risks if things were to go awry.
4. Lime Rock Park - Lakeville, CT
Lime Rock Park is one of the oldest circuits in North America as it has been hosting racing events since 1957. The short 1.5-mile circuit features only 7 corners, but man are they quick! The track is comprised of 6 right-hand corners that are primarily speedy sweepers with one left (turn 3) mixed in. The track follows the contours of the land and has an uphill/downhill section that adds another dynamic to the course. Unlike many of the tracks that have gone commercial or been heavily modified over time, Lime Rock Park has remained true to its roots and preserved all of the characteristics that make it a loved and cherished racetrack.
5. Atlanta Motorsports Park - Dawsonville, GA
Atlanta Motorsports Park is a relatively new track built several years ago in the rolling hills northwest of Atlanta. The track is a showcase of magnificent elevation changes with its share of tight, technical corners and blind apexes as well as a high-speed sweeper leading onto the front straightaway that will help scratch anyone's itch for speed. The track is said to be a resort of sorts that not only provides karts and supercar rentals for dad, but also has fitness rooms, hiking trails, horseback riding, a restaurant and pool, and indoor/outdoor play areas for children to make this a place capable of hosting a family vacation.
6. Watkins Glen International - Watkins Glen, NY
Often called the birthplace of American sports car racing, Watkins Glen is a classic, high-speed track located in the New York countryside. The 3.37-mile sports-car course configuration features 11 corners that are a mixture of undulating bends that can be taken flat-out combined with technical turns towards the latter half of the track, such as turn 8 and 9, that require attention to detail to get right. With the picturesque scenery and a storied racing history, Watkins Glen is definitely one track that you're going to want to cross off of your racetrack bucket list.
7. Virginia International Raceway - Alton, VA
Virginia International Raceway has a reputation of being named one of the best tracks in the States year after year. The facility offers 6 different course configurations with the most popular being the 3.27-mile "Full-Course" used by most racing series. This particular track has 17 corners and two straights measuring approximately 1/2 & 3/4 miles. With big elevation changes such as those found at "The Climbing Esses" (turns seven, eight, and nine), high g-force bends, jaw-dropping scenery, and noteworthy on-site lodging/dining, it is no wonder why Car and Driver chose VIR to conduct their annual "Lightning Lap" vehicle shootout.
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