- Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway "The Corkscrew"

Conquering the Corkscrew

This is a narrative on the elegance and savagery that is "The Corkscrew"...

4y ago
9.5K

"The most challenging and technical corner in the western hemisphere."

It all begins days, weeks, or months before you are even at the race track. Going through your head are all the things that went through your predecessors' minds. The kinds of things that you don't normally give to much attention or worry. All the prep work, all the technical instruction and practice leading you up to the crest before your descent into the six plus story drop will only manufacture a fraction of confidence needed to forward your progress around the track.

Sitting in the cockpit of your well thought out and prepped racecar or in the drivers seat of the car you drive on the daily, you are shaking. Excitement and adrenaline pulsating through your veins. Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or a weekend warrior on the track for your first lap you know turns 8 and 8A are in your very near future. Awaiting the fall of the start lights you press in the clutch, select first gear and apply proper throttle for the perfect launch. Engine at speed you grip the steering wheel ready, waiting, and on point as the lights fall. You drop the clutch and set off.

There are several key elements that setup Laguna Seca as a premier host for a wide range of motorsport. From full on race cars, GP motorcycles, track cars, and your own daily driver the raceway offers a lot fun and excitement for those brave enough. Although turns 8 and 8A are the notorious highlights of the facility, the first turns set up the order and lines that may determine your fate upon entry of the Corkscrew. Starting with a mid-length straight into a tightening hairpin separates the vets pretty quickly from the pack.

Following the next short straight is a sweeping right followed by another. As you progress through the next short straight you enter into a left hander that grants you entry into the climb up. Rahal Straight is not straight, not but any stretch of the imagination. It's more a fast and long left turn that has a big surprise as you also take note of your ascent. Hard on the middle pedal you steer right ready to turn left. You have survived turns one through seven and now lies teh moment arguably every race car driver wants and looks forward to.

Atop the hill the car in super slow motion has the suspension loaded, much like an athlete is squatted down ready to move in a moments notice.,the car is at its best and ready to take on the direction you are going to give it. With careful braking and gear selection applied before starting the entry into the left your confidence is wiped clear and the car goes light. Descending down so steep the roof is now visible to on lookers the car is pushing hard into the ground as the cars suspension fights the torment of gravity and energy with acceleration providing thrust forwards. You're just about out of the clear when the car is fully compressed and at its grippiest. The scariest part snaps into realization. The car goes light and you are losing traction quick, all in the middle of a descending right handed off camber turn. With the car settling back out but still descending there is a tight left that leads to one of the final straights. With all the waiting and hype validated, euphoria over comes your entire body, then the snap of shocking revelation hits you. It is lap 1 of 25...

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Comments (4)

  • A well-written and fun read. Tribe joined!

      4 years ago
  • Great Article! I'm going to promote this out for you! Cheers

      4 years ago
4