Word from Vir today is below. Alton, VA, July 2, 2113 – There is no easy way to say this – The Oak Tree is down. The iconic landmark that has come to symbolize VIRginia International Raceway has fallen, broken at the base. “We are in shock and mourning,†said track owner Connie Nyholm. “We’re too busy right now trying to get the racetrack cleared of debris. We are grateful no one was at the corner station or on track when she fell and that there is no damage to the track surface. Tomorrow we’ll begin to get our arms around what this really means, but I can tell you that it means more than any of us want to think about today.†The massive oak stood sentinel at the south end of the racetrack, looking out from the highest point on the property at the sprawling facility and its 3.27 miles of serpentine asphalt that has come to be regarded as the most challenging in North America, if not the world. Its branches shaded the apex of the legendary Oak Tree Turn, looking down on the likes of Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen, Tom Kristensen and Richard Petty as well as a host of race drivers from the brilliant to the not so. “I can tell you this,†Nyholm said, “The Oak Tree will live on in our minds and hearts, and we will give it an appropriate send-off. Please email your thoughts and suggestions to [email protected] for proper ways to honor this old riend.â€
It's almost painful to read this. I think I've been bothered less by the death of relatives...well, some of them anyway.
Yeah, I was on the way back from the beach today when I saw this..... Really heartbreaking for all of us who have a connection with that track. It will never be the same.
I'll always remember the first time I went to VIR and saw that tree, all I could think of was that it looked just like all the pictures I saw of it in the magazines of years ago. Irreplaceable.
What a shame. That tree shall be missed. I wonder what they will do with all the wood. Hope it is something cool. Be a real shame to mulch it.
:cornut: A large appropriate carving from the wood on a nice pedestal at that location as a tribute maybe.................................... Jason [email protected]
I don't know what they did with the tree but I sense some haste in the clean up given their comment about being busy trying to clear the track of "debris". There was no damage to the track, by the way. Here's hoping they thought about doing useful things with the wood but I'm especially hopeful they thought to get someone on trying to take a bunch of clippings to try to start a new tree from the original. It's still Oak Tree Corner, they need to plant another oak there.
If that saved the wood from the tree they could make a ton of Promotional VIR #2 pencils and toothpicks.
sad indeed. VIR is by far my favorite track. The oak tree turn has always been a tough test. i only get it really right 50% of the time or so...trying to maintain the momentum of the climbing esses onto the straight-simply awesome......