I have a lot to say about its history, the day, and other issues regarding the present state of the track. This site is presently a museum of old race cars and non, and airplanes. It served its purpose to auto and airplane history and is now a sedate site for a visit, surrounded by nature which has swallowed up much of the track.
Centenial of the test hill (1909 for you dummies)
This hill was designed for manufacturers to test the drivetrains on their new motors.
The brochure says the hill starts at an 8:1 slope then goes 5:1 and 4:1.
I gave a donation and got a run up the test hill and around the banking in a Lamborghini.
Here's the Lambo 1/3 of the way up. Got that one on high-speed film.
This hole-shot takes about 7 seconds. (I'll try to upload the MP3 sound.)
and another car reaching the crest of the test hill. Check the look of surprise on the lady's face.
the banked track
I actually got up to the top of the banking for this photo. It wasn't easy climbing down. Try to find a video on youtube and you'll see that cars used to ride up here.
[Notice the bridge. You'll see other photos taken from there.]
Even this remaining part of the track looks a bit ragged. You can see the moss and the weeds at the edge, but it is 102 years old.
This is most of the rest of the track, from the bridge:
Most of the rest of this massive track has been torn up. Interestlingly, right past this photo is Mercedes-Benz World. They've used the glitter of the track to make their own test track and shrine to their new models. Those pesky Germans, always manufacturing such good stuff!
the cars
a fine collection from the in-house museum and some special 'visitors'.
This is an aero-engined car.
It's the second of four [next pic].
All hell broke loose when they cranked these up. [having difficulty uploading the MP3 material.]
The green one fired up first, the blue second (0:50) and the silver Napier Railton third (1:50), all of them in front of me. The Red car was further away.
the planes
this one was fished out of Loch Ness.
You've also got a Concord with multi-media show inside.
There's also a huge wind tunnel and other technological marvels, if you know what you're looking at.
-Cosine67 ~~~
