,
Illustration used with permission of Area 27 – credit Jeannette Montgomery. Click pic to get an expanded view.Area 27's name is steeped in Canadian racing lore – as 27 was Gilles Villeneuve's car number. Without doubt, any reference to Gilles causes enthusiasts to sit up and take note. Jacques also had 27 on his 1995 Indianapolis 500 winning car. There is so much in a name – and the simplicity of Area 27 is full of nostalgia of two of Canada's most storied drivers. Drivers who pushed the limits on F1 tracks.
Pushing the limits is more challenging today than it ever was. Bill Drossos points out that cars off of the showroom floor today are faster than his old race cars. Unless you have access to a track, there is nowhere that you can push your car and yourself to the limits – without breaking the law and attracting unwanted attention and expense. Bill also realized that a good track needed to be a destination that would be a draw for families and not just gear heads. The Okanagan Valley is full of rich fruit orchards and large vineyards. It is a summer destination spot that draws huge crowds to visit the sandy beaches and sunny weather. Golf courses in the summer and ski slopes in the winter add to the desirability of this area. The track is less than five hours from Vancouver, BC, just over five hours from Seattle, WA, and only eight and a half hours from Calgary, Alberta. If you're flying in, then Pentiction airport has connections with Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, Qantas and KLM. The complex is located just 30 minutes north of the B.C./Washington border.
One project that will be completed this winter will be the construction of soft barriers, created by bundles of tires, that will be placed in strategic areas around the track.Ensuring that everyone on track is pushing the limits appropriately and safely, many safety factors are in place. Of course, we have already discussed how corner run-off areas and the placement of the concrete walls were designed after hours of simulated crashes. This assisted in the elevation design of the safety zones plus the distance. I also noted that in many areas the earth on the non-track side was at a higher grade than track side. Obviously provided great strength. This off season will see the placement of hundreds of tire bundles. Continental Tires provided the rubber necessary to build these soft barriers.
One of the most important safety facets of the Area 27 track is that you will not be allowed on the track unless you have been successful in Richard Spenard's 2.5 day course – or provide proof of completion of an equivalent program. There is no question about the validity of high performance driving schools – both for keeping the driver/passenger safe and also for improving driver performance. The Area 27 Academy has been thoroughly planned and developed. As such it has gained ASN Canada FIA approval. In the approval process both the driving school curriculum and the track specifications were reveiwed. The course will consist of an afternoon of theory followed by two days of applying that theory during track situations.
A driver's track limits the advantage of horsepower. There's no question that the lengthy Area 27 straights provide an advantage to horsepower – but the technical sections of the track reward the handling of driver's cars like the Miata.Initially the focus of the Area 27 Driving Academy will be upon members to ensure that everyone who needs certification can get it. After that there will likely be opportunities for the public to get involved. I was very impressed that the week prior to my visit that there was an all women's driving academy. Those of you who are familiar with my writing will recognize that, in supporting my daughter's love of track days and time attack, I am a strong advocate for seeing more women out on track. And that I love every moment when women best their frequently more egotistical male counterparts. Major props to Area 27 for having an all women academy before the track has even been open for three months.
New track. New Driving Academy. New Marshals. The marshals are well trained and eager to be track side. And why not when you get the best track viewing station in the area – and might see a pristine Firehawk like Jonathan's beauty fly past.Another integral part of track days and safety is having well trained marshals. Early Saturday morning I was testing out the marshals (inadvertently, of course) safety training when I was seeking to get some action photos near corner two. I was quickly and effectively redirected to a more appropriate area and, far from being chagrined, I was actually grinning because that marshal's situational awareness allowed him to be quite aware of my need for safety in addition to those on the track. His training was obviously black and white that, until all of the necessary safeguards were in place, that no one enters that area even if they have a media pass. Plus the marshal then sent Mitch, Area 27's security lead, to ensure that I got to the best spots in a safe manner. There has been one marshal school and more will be happening.
