Calling all track designers, show off your work!

  • Thread starter glassjaw
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Here's one I made in my city of Fairbanks, Alaska. It's a Touge loop with both up and down hills, meant to be driven clockwise. I call it Skyline Summit Loop because you drive up Summit Road and down Skyline Road. I actually live off of Skyline Road, so I drive this regularly. Summit is pretty steep, and Skyline has some awesome curves for going downhill. The Farmer's Loop Road on the bottom is the flattest portion, and you can get some pretty good speed there. During the winter all the rods are covered in compacted ice, and that makes it even more fun. Nothing a front or four wheel drive car with snow tires can't handle.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311093

This is what going down Skyline looks like in the winter. It is steeper than it looks.
 
interludes
The greatest circuit I have ever made. If it could be condensed down to about six or seven kilometres - Spa is the maximum acceptable length, I think - without getting fiddly, I think it could be epic. Alternatively, this version comes in at 7.5km, and [/B]]this one is only amrginally shorter (the big roundabout is afiddly chicane that I don't like; if only it were bigger, because then it would be a more-defined curve), but I think the back section of the longest version really makes it epic. It would be nice and fast, hell on tyres, would have a few decent overtaking points
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Your first circuit looks good! I'd like to drive it.
 
AlexGTV
👍 Nice one. Some turns remind me of Infineon. I like how there are variations as well.
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Thanks, I was thinking it was a bad track since no one said anything, now I need to finish it (working on another track, and taking photos of it

This is my new project



It is uphill into the quick turn 1 then through the first hairpin before leading downhill into the second hairpin, which is going downhill then into the 3rd hairpin, you have to avoid the massive apex on the inside which reaches up 300 mm in under 750 mm, downhill with walls running close to the track going downhill, then the walls are gone through the chicane. Uphill then no elevation through the next series of turns, downhill towards the mid pace final turn.
 
astrosdude91
In the 90's, the Champ Car series actually had a race that took place on the streets of downtown. But I have no idea what the route was. I'm sure it would make a good basis for a downtown F1 track.
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I remember that, and they ran something like this.

Plus, responding to your first post, I have a few Houston courses I mustered up in just a few minutes (Some will need to be seen in hybrid or satellite because they incorporate parts that are off shown roads).

This Reliant Park-based circuit isn't my personal favorite, but I thought of the idea when I remembered CCWS's grand prix there in the early 2000's. (Note: look in hybrid view

This course and this one are in Galveston (Further from Houston than some think), but I think they still count.

The Woodlands, Texas is home to many winding roads and may be a challenge for making circuits, but I do like it. This is needed to be seen in hybrid but it still looks to be a many turn course with a long straight running along its spine.

This park-circuit was made in Memorial Park when I'd run out of thought.
 
I like that first one around Union Station. It very much reminds me of the old RFK carpark circuit in Washington - deceptively simple, but extraordinarily challenging. The second one looks a little too twisty, though. Likewise Allianz Arena; the northern extremity makes Monaco look like Shanghai. I don't really know what to think about Durban. It's an interesting palce to put it, but I think there are better roads in the city for it.

For Dallas, I'd probably do something like this:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4352649

And for Durban:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4352657
 
taggles
I remember that, and they ran something like this.
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I Found some old race coverage on Youtube from the downtown race. Yeah, that seems about right. But man! Downtown has really been built up since that race a mere decade ago!

And I'll echo what ludes said, I quite like that first Dallas one.

I always wonder though. How many real life F1 circuits have one road sharing two different parts of the circuit. I've made a few courses like that, but I don't know how feasible that is.

Anyways, I've made this circuit in Memorial Park. It will require quite a bit of purpose built roads though.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4352671

Also, here is one situated in Downtown Denver:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4353036
 
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Houston is flavour of the week, huh?

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This one is a little impractical. It's too long, and two corners would require special bridges built to connect them, and it goes through some neighbourhoods that don't look too good from the air. But I like the simple shape and some of the faster bends:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364578

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Again, this is far too long and would probably require Houston to shut down its hospitals for a weekend. But I reckon the shape is pretty conductive to good racing; I wouldn't mind seeing this scaled down to about five kilometres.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364582

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For me, the shape tends to be everything. My designs are often far too long, but the length is not what we're looking for. It's the flow, the rhythm. This might be thirteen kilometres through built-up residential areas and requiring health services to be put on hold, but all of that is inconsequential. Build this in the middle of a large vacant lot and watch them go at it. And ignore that little chicane on Braeswood Boulevard. It's not supposed to be there:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364585

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Dear America,

Please build more cities like Houston and less like Los Angeles. And then hold races in them. As this next one proves, Houston is a racing driver's paradise.

Love,

Racing fans all around the world:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364590

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Yes, I am aware this circuit calls for shutting down a major freeway. And that it runs through residental areas. And yes, I know it looks like a giant penis with a squiggly bit at the bottom. But, citizen of Houston, revel!, for I have brought you motorsports:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364602

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astrodude, as a native of Houston, I'm curious as to what you think of these designs.
 
There's a 70km course through some mountains out in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. Pretty tough to find roads that connect out there.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4366507

And Interludes, I also live in Houston so I'll chip in. My favorite of yours is definitely the one running through Hermann Park, and I like the idea of the one going around Rice University. If I had to do without one of those, the freeway one would be it; it just seemed a little iffy to me.

Houston was host to some Champ Car races in its final years, with the races being held at Reliant Park on this course. IndyCar said that they may return to the location in a few years on the same course but I believe something better could be made. I've been looking at it puzzled for a little, but I thought that maybe you could figure something out in one of the largest parking lots...ever
 
interludes
astrodude, as a native of Houston, I'm curious as to what you think of these designs.
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Yeah, I'd love to chime in. 👍

This one is a little impractical. It's too long, and two corners would require special bridges built to connect them, and it goes through some neighbourhoods that don't look too good from the air. But I like the simple shape and some of the faster bends:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364578
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Ok, you've already figured out the problems. That area north of Downtown and Interstate 10 is pretty sketchy. Not exactly the best area of town to hold a race on the streets.

Again, this is far too long and would probably require Houston to shut down its hospitals for a weekend. But I reckon the shape is pretty conductive to good racing; I wouldn't mind seeing this scaled down to about five kilometres.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364582
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I do quite like that one. It doesn't go too much into the Texas Medical Center, and most of the hospitals are still accessible to the east. Almost all of the hospitals in the Medical Center are all connected via skyways or underground tunnel walkways. So any hospitals that might be cut off can still be accessed. I also really like the ring around Rice University.

For me, the shape tends to be everything. My designs are often far too long, but the length is not what we're looking for. It's the flow, the rhythm. This might be thirteen kilometres through built-up residential areas and requiring health services to be put on hold, but all of that is inconsequential. Build this in the middle of a large vacant lot and watch them go at it. And ignore that little chicane on Braeswood Boulevard. It's not supposed to be there:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364585
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Wow, that one is a bit long! But nice! I really like the use of MacGregor Way right along Brays Bayou. I guess if there was ever a 24 Hours of Houston, that would be a good track.

Dear America,

Please build more cities like Houston and less like Los Angeles. And then hold races in them. As this next one proves, Houston is a racing driver's paradise.

Love,

Racing fans all around the world:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364590
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Agree with ya! Houston has some fantastic roads, as well as some wide roads. Heck, we have the widest freeway in the world (Section of Interstate 10 known as the Katy Freeway). A city circuit would be fantastic here!

Yes, I am aware this circuit calls for shutting down a major freeway. And that it runs through residental areas. And yes, I know it looks like a giant penis with a squiggly bit at the bottom. But, citizen of Houston, revel!, for I have brought you motorsports:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4364602
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Actually, only the feeder roads would have to be shut down. It looks like Interstate 45 could be left open, just with a few of those exits closed for the race weekend. Same problem with the first track though is that the penis track goes through another pretty sketchy part of town. The fact that the straight to the east of UH along Gulfcrest is situated right next to an abortion clinic should be a big giveaway. :P But the layout looks good.

The one thing that I look for besides a good layout is a good location. Take the downtown track I posted right above you. A lap takes you around this, this and oh look, a ferris wheel! It's perfect for an F1 race! And the track goes through this, and this And a bunch of other cool stuff downtown.

Whenever I make a new track on gmaps, I always have Google Maps open in the next tab. That way I always check where I'm going on streetview. That way, I always have optimal routes that would be good for a Formula One race.

I just thought of an idea. A contest to see who can make the best street course. We all do the same city or area. And pick different styles each times.
 
That little kink in the middle of Hermann Park would be awesome for racing. That turn is so tight it takes me by surprise every time I go to the Zoo, HMNS, or anything around there. These circuits are really making me love living here. That track that goes along US90 and Main St. is awesome. As mentioned, the area between I45, I10, US59, and the 610 Loop should be avoided. As should the north side of downtown as that's where the county jail is and there are usually a few degenerates there.

edit: I just tried to make one and found out my creativity is lacking. I want one to go around Minute Maid or the Toyota Center, down Fannin (my favorite street downtown because of all the skyways), and around Memorial Park, which is beautiful.
 
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Rossticles
The track around the Astrodome was terrible.
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...and gladly it isn't my creation. Reliant Park could be a nice central area for the IndyCar, ALMS, or Rolex series but they need a much bigger track. If anyone could come up with one in that area, I'd love to see it.
 
Your wish is my command. The circuit is run clockwise, and starts on S Main St.

My original idea was this, with the start line on the Old Spanish Trail, but it's too long and would require the construction of a flyover at McNee Rd.

And finally, there's this one, which is in the area, but doesn't utilise Reliant Park. And it's also a little long. Start line on S Main St.
 
Rossticles
That little kink in the middle of Hermann Park would be awesome for racing. That turn is so tight it takes me by surprise every time I go to the Zoo, HMNS, or anything around there. These circuits are really making me love living here. That track that goes along US90 and Main St. is awesome. As mentioned, the area between I45, I10, US59, and the 610 Loop should be avoided. As should the north side of downtown as that's where the county jail is and there are usually a few degenerates there.

edit: I just tried to make one and found out my creativity is lacking. I want one to go around Minute Maid or the Toyota Center, down Fannin (my favorite street downtown because of all the skyways), and around Memorial Park, which is beautiful.
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Maybe I could cook something up.

I would seriously love to see another street course again IRL. But I'm sure that most if not all racing series' would prefer to default to the Austin track, since it's cheaper to run there than to close down streets and set up a track in the middle of a major city.
 

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