Hannahsb21

Infineon Raceway Twilight Cycling Race Series Kicks Off, April 19

WHAT

Bicycling returns to the Infineon Raceway road course in 2007 with the Infineon Raceway Twilight Race Series. For the fourth consecutive year, cyclists are invited to race on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course, featuring the challenging climb up to Turn 2, and the hairpin at Turn 11.

WHERE

Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 and 121, Sonoma, 95476

WHEN

The Spring Twilight Races will run on the following Thursdays:
April 19, 26 & May 3, 10

Spring series registration: 5:15 p.m. - Race start: 6:30 p.m.
The Summer Twilight Races will run on the following Thursdays:
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27

Summer series registration: 5 p.m. - Race start: 6 p.m.
COURSE

Cyclists will ride for eight laps on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course.

WHO

The Infineon Raceway Twilight Race Series is open to all cyclists, from the novice or recreational rider to professional. Cyclists are not required to complete all eight laps.

AT STAKE

More than $2,500 in cash and prizes.

COST

$15 per week and a 2007 United States Cycling Federation (USCF) license is required. One-day licenses are available for $10. Juniors (18 and under) and children are free but must have a parent or guardian signature. Events will take place, rain or shine.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Michael Sebastiani, 707-939-1049, mks@goswinery.com or visitwww.infineonracewaycycling.com.

UPCOMING IN JULY

Infineon Raceway will host the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic, July 6-8. This marks the third consecutive year that the raceway will host a three-day cycling event for amateur and professional mountain bikers, gravity racers, road cyclists and recreational enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.cmclassic.com.

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ratebeer

Can we get a flat tt course at infineon raceway?

platypus

Maybe on the drag strip.

I hope to make it up for one or two of these races. It's a bit of a drive from my work, but I'd love to ride on the track.

Hannahsb21

We did that once, and exactly, it was a drag deal. There is a slight incline but still pretty great. If people want to do it, we can make it happen.

ratebeer

Some folks at Santa Rosa Cycling Club have talked about getting various TTs together. There are very few TTs in the entire Bay Area and there has been expressed interest. It would be cool if you could catalyze this. I'd definitely help getting the word out.

8Lives

I like Infineon on my motorcycle, and this will be another good way to enjoy it. the only problem being that it will seem so sloooooow...

Hannahsb21

Definately faster on a motorcycle, but in a pack the carousel feels pretty fast. Turn 1 and 2, not so much.

What we did last year was set up the course in the different motor sport arrangements on different days. For the tt concept, cyclists, just like a drag, two at a time to raced up the 1/4 mile drag stip. They used the Christmas Tree and everything. The rest of the track was open for riding while riders weren't on the drag, but unfortunately it was the least popular.

This year we are planning on sticking to the NASCAR layout but if you want to get the tt/drag going, we can do it. Just want to be sure people are wanting that.

ratebeer

Yeah, I would imagine 1/4 mile sprints from a stop would not be that interesting for most road riders.
The track is not adequate for a 10 mi or 40 km time trials?

Hannahsb21

The track is 2.52 miles, so I think we might be out of luck.

ratebeer

Laps? 4 laps is 10.08 miles. That could be easily adjusted (move the starting line up) to make a standard 10 mile TT course no?

Barca

I did this last year as a junior. Unfortunately, this year I am in Colorado attending college, so I will miss out on it. I will be there for Cugar Mountain, though. Great course.

The "TT" last year was on the 1/4 mile drag strip. They used the electronic sensors to mark where to start and used the lights to say when. Overall it was pretty awesome, apart from the slight incline and absolutely wicked headwind we had.

I'm not really familiar with the course at Infineon (will always be Sears Point to me) but there is a nasty climb shortly after you start on the RR/Crit course they held. That was pretty brutal, but fun none the less.

Hannahsb21

The hill is easily brutal. We are set up right now to have the riders do 8 laps. There are many configurations, but unfortunately none of them are flat.

ratebeer you should come out, it looks like you are close by and it is a pretty fun ride. Oh come on! Any others reading this planning on coming out?

cacatfish

It is a very fun, very painful race. I was there tonight as well as last week.
It was quite an adventure in the rain, somehow it distracted from the pain.
I sucked ass tonight, but it is worth the fee to be able to ride on a full on racetrack of course.
The hill is short for a steady rhythm but long for a power climb. Basically, it sucks!

CrimsonKarter21

I wish I lived in California, I've always wanted to race Sears Point. And just that, us purists call it 'Sears Point,' not Infineon.

In the meantime, I'm perfectly contempt with Mid-Ohio.

Hannahsb21

Glad you came both nights. Pretty great to go from 30 to 60+ riders and I imagine next week there will be even more.

I was pretty impressed with the JR's. I wish my parents had taken me to this type of thing when I was a kiddie.