Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Autobahn Country Club, a new Alan Wilson-designed track located just outside of Chicago, is going through the final stages of construction. On Wednesday, October 27, a few riders were asked to ride on the new track, give their input and help with the final details. Riders Mark Junge and John Jacobi of Vesrah Suzuki, and Monte Lutz and Bob Deily of Sportbike Track Time were there, along with WERA officials Evelyne and Sean Clarke, and others.
Chris Ulrich was originally asked by Alan Wilson to participate but had to miss the event after being injured at the recent VIR AMA National. Ulrich suggested that Junge be used in his place, and Junge recommended Jacobi.
The final pavement has been laid and some of the Armco barriers have been put in place. The track layout is such that it can be run as two separate courses, a North and a South course. The two tracks can also be run together in one complete course, but track managers say that they will usually be run as two separate courses.
The riders spent the morning on the 2.1-mile South track helping Alan Wilson stake out necessary curbing. Junge’s comments on this part of the track were “It’s flowing, technical, and pretty fast. I like it a lot.”
Jacobi said, “On a scale of 1–10 it ranked an 8 or 9 on fun.”
The first part of the afternoon was spent on the 1.46-mile North track with riders giving input on curbing that has already been placed.
Lutz said, “This track rocks. It would be easier to teach a new rider on this track because of its slower speeds. A Novice rider can immediately have fun on the North track because it is less intimidating than the South track.”
Jacobi said, “There is a bit of elevation change and it’s pretty busy. It’s a lot of fun.”
The rest of the day was spent on the full 3.56-mile course, and the riders were grinning ear-to-ear when they got off their bikes. “It ranks right up there with Barber and VIR. The pavement on the whole track is smooth as glass,’ said Jacobi.
“It definitely goes in my top-three tracks in the country. It’s better than Road America with its new chicane. I think I even like it better than Barber,” said Junge.
Bob Deily simply said it was “phenomenal.”
“On par with Barber,” said Lutz.
The end of the day was spent discussing placement of corner stations, additional Armco, and where soft barriers would be needed.
Although the track itself is nearly complete, there is still a lot of other work planned at the facility. Construction of a second tower, a clubhouse and a concession stand, as well as laying of a final layer of pavement in the paddock, will be completed before the track opens in the spring of 2005.
WERA plans to hold two races at this new facility during the 2005 season.
