Sad day at VIR

[GXPaycheck]

Oak Tree Down





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 oaktree@VIRnow.com for proper ways to honor this old friend.”

[Doug Hilliard]

Hate to hear this; I think they should plant a new one!

[Slizzo]

Saw some good suggestions, like make a podium out of it, and plant another tree in it's place.

I think that would be most fitting.

[MongosG8]

I agree with Slizzo .. would love to see the tree recycled into the raceway somehow.

Wonder what happened to make an old oak break at the base? .. Fkg squirrels hollowed out the tree maybe?

[TooManyHobbies]

Build a British style wooden frame roadster out of part of the wood.

[STL_G8GT]

Build a British style wooden frame roadster out of part of the wood.

Trophy/display case, victory/winners platform, etc. Plenty of ways to integrate it!

[Eidolon]

It'll be missed. I ran there at an HPDE in February, had been meaning to order the photos. Called up the photo company and placed the order shortly after I got the email from VIR about the tree, as there's a terrific shot of my G8 passing under the shade of that grand old oak.

[TonyKarter]

Sad. So very sad. Old growth trees are becoming rare. How old was the tree? Why did it fall?

[Eidolon]

Sad. So very sad. Old growth trees are becoming rare. How old was the tree? Why did it fall?

They haven't shared why it fell. As for age, not sure there, either.

But as seen in this photo from the track's original construction in 1957, there's the tree.


And it's fairly large there. So, greater than 56 years, certainly.

VIR originally opened in 1957, closed in 1974, and was revived and reopened in its current form in 2000. For more, head to the privately-run VIR History page.

[texn884]

take some of the wood and put it into the start finish line like they do at indy with the bricks.

That wood be cool.