Everything You Need To Know Before You Go To Ozarks International Raceway

[@timed1946]

I was a corner worker for two days in November at OIR. This track has great potential to be a major racing facility for cars in the central U.S. We were able to drive one lap the first day. The facilities, once completely finished, will be first rate. The track surface seem very well done with a texture drivers should like. The corner stations were easily identifiable and comfortable for one person. More than one worker will be crowded. I don’t think there will be much protection in the rain or hot sun but that’s not much different than any place else. My biggest concern about the corner stations is the extreme difficulty getting over the Armco. It’s high, the edges are rather sharp, and there are no small openings to pass through. There were fire bottles but getting to someone who needed help would be very difficult. I also think there needs to be more access places for emergency vehicles. I certainly wish them well and hope I can participate in another NASA event to see OIR when it’s finished.

[@EvanDaMedic]

Do you know if they have open track days and are you able to use motorcycles?

[@benjytexas]

@@EvanDaMedic LMAO....ARMCO is the name of this track!

[@AllYourBaseAreBelongToU5]

I wanted to correct something that began at 1:56. He states that you have to drive over an hour on two-way roads. From Camdenton, it is 26 minutes. US 54 runs through Camdenton, and it is four lanes all the way to I-70 in Kingdom City. In addition, in Camdenton you can continue on Missouri 5 to Lebanon to reach I-44. While this stretch between Camdenton and Lebanon is two-lane, there is a passing lane on one side or the other for the almost entire 20 minute drive. You can reach US 65 outside of Cole Camp in about 35 minutes, too. You can reach US 50 in California, MO in about 45 minutes.

[@carlsaganlives6086]

Jeez, hard to believe someone wants to rag about there not being a interstate cloverleaf outside the main gate. No thank you, I'm taking the back roads on purpose...rural Arkansas? Hell yeah, and I'm a Yankee! See ya. 🏞

[@AllYourBaseAreBelongToU5]

@@carlsaganlives6086 It’s rural Missouri, but is totally get your point. This isn’t like super backwoods, but it is somewhat isolated. There’s appeal in that.

[@alanlansdell7533]

Endurance racing there will be intense. What a great track.

[@jeo33466]

So glad to have an incredible world class track here in Missouri. Look forward to all the future races here.

[@949RacingSuperMiata]

World class? No.

[@Sean-ps3ec]

@@949RacingSuperMiata It has potential but would need a lot of work to get there.

[@paddyneill1964]

I just finished the SCCA Crash Fire Rescue class @ OIR today. Thoroughly enjoyed myself 😎

[@bobm2637]

It looks like an interesting a fun track. But, it is lined with armco only a few yards off track for most of its length. There is little to no runoff anywhere. The few runoff areas seem very, very small given the high speed nature of the corners where those areas are sited. And those areas are kitty litter which, in my opinion, offer far less chance of avoiding contact with a barrier than more pavement. Even a fairly routine 4 wheel off anywhere on the circuit creates a good chance of contact with armco. And if you go off sideways or backwards or spinning, it looks like you're pretty much guaranteed to smack the guardrail. The author says that if you drive the course, you'll see that "they do leave adequate space...it's not much different" from some other tracks, specifically mentioning Road America. But a sentence or two later, the author says that "if you do something wrong, you may be in the armco." The author no doubt has more race experience than do I, not to mention the obvious fact that he's driven OIR and I haven't. Nonetheless, in watching the video I see few, if any, areas where there is meaningful room for an off before a car is collected by the armco. Also, I disagree with the author's statement that the runoff situation at OIR isn't much different than at Road America. At RA, there is adequate runoff where it matters most, except for the Kink. At the end of all three monster straights, there is plenty of room for an off without contact with a barrier (with thanks to AJF for the endless expanse of kitty litter at T1). While runoff area isn't generous at other RA corners, there is more than there looks to be present at OIR. There also seem to be very few places that present good passing opportunities. It would be great to hear the author's view on that.

[@carlsaganlives6086]

Yes, RA is in a unique, thankfully antiquated safety position with tons of runoff where it matters, and not so much in others because it's a drivers track. COTA has acres of ugly, paved runoff everywhere ensuring less skilled drivers or oval guys (cough, cough) will be pin-balling, cuz there's no definition of where the damn track really is. DO NOT get the fawning adulation of the way over paved (total footprint, too), treeless monstrosity, except it's new(ish) so the shitters are probably in pretty good shape. Cheers! 🍻

[@freebird1118]

Very nice track. Highly technical. Thanks for the post.

[@bryang9601]

Wow! Nice race car and fun track. With most of these new tracks out in BFE…why don’t they buy an extra 10+ acres and have more runoff before the guard rails? That underpass and access roads make other tracks seem luxurious. I’d love to track my Z06 there next Summer!!!

[@J4mesWilliams]

Hello from the vette giving the pointby to your fellow NP-01 driver @ 6:07. The track was amazing, and super technical. I definitely echo your words of "it takes a few sessions to know where you are" However, once you get the groove, its an incredible track. Smooth pavement, and I didn't feel un-safe anywhere on the track. All in all, it was a fun day and I cannot wait to be back.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

I didn't mention how smooth the pavement is because time will tell what it will be like after a few summer/winter cycles.

[@Brian-vd4mg]

@@ThisWeekWithCars The Ozarks area is extremely rocky so all the roads remain smooth for many years.You probably noticed all the two lane roads you drove on to get to the track were extremely smooth.

[@thegmanpaints]

I’m so excited o have this so close to where I I’ve! (Only about an hour and a half southwest for me). Excited to check it out soon

[@paulhall170]

Yikes, a downhill blind left-hander straight out of the pits!! The funn-est 18 minutes on KZbin today. You're right about it being a technical track, it'd take my old brain a year to learn it. Thanks, Steve!

[@CrzBonKerz21]

Wow!! I just discovered this and saw that GT challenge coming through. I may need to make the drive from STL to this!

[@stevescheuber]

I was seriously getting frustrated because I was expecting 58 to give you a point-by. But then, I didn't see anybody give a point-by, so it seems it was left up to guts and determination. Track looks much more challenging that Road America, actually.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

It was a new track and I didn't know any of those drivers so I was trying to be careful around them.

[@peterknight4692]

That is a stupendous track.

[@jinbaittai85]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing. Very useful information. I appreciate it.

[@tomk4199]

Well that was fun! Thanks for taking us along!

[@davidfinkelstein7986]

Just watching you race was thrilling. I have only done autocross but cant wait to get my license ( it 70 years old) and start road racing. I wont have such a higher tech car as you. I have a 66 spitfire that I will be running soon.

[@mj-pg3uj]

Very technical. No straights to rest. Needs some landmarks. Definitely has a learning curve. Blind elevations leading to a turn...hope the turn workers are awake.

[@jodyjo_gd3]

My stomach went in my throat from just watching! The elevations are insane!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

The camera mutes how crazy they really are!

[@jodyjo_gd3]

I bet my Honda Fit will struggle going uphill but downhill will be a rush!

[@GT-43]

That looks like a crazy track, I'll definitely be going there next year to watch some awesome racing.

[@stephenricketts7764]

OK so being on a track going round isn't my favourite thing but I do agree that it does resemble the Nurburge ring with hills and valleys and some sharp bends . Good video Steve. 👍

[@ethanmaestri2445]

Heading out this weekend for my first stint at being a corner worker here. Thank you for posting this video, seeing the facilities and track like this is great!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Have a good time, I heard that two weeks ago during the NASA event a car was totaled ever session on Saturday.

[@micheltebraake7915]

A challenging circuit indeed, I have experience with the Nürburgring Nordschleife, there are certainly elements in it that are comparable. Also a challenge to properly adjust the car for road holding.

[@heckmacbuff]

Well, you showed those guys a clean pair of heels!

[@bbrut3332]

What a grand way to spend the weekend. No longer a driver but I can relate to the sounds and views. If you ever need someone to assist in the pits,PM me. Your driving skills surpass mine even in its best days. I hope you did well on the inaugural race at the new track. Looking for updates to follow.

[@starckmad1779]

Great video, Steve! What a beautiful fall day at a beautiful track. Love to see more like this. Bill

[@mundanestuff]

Wow. Double apexes, off camber / unleveled turns double uphill, so leaning to the right, turning to the left making it even steeper, chicanes, regular sunlight in your face up a blind hill. Amazing. The track looks narrow, but it could be the camera. Is it as narrow as it feels? Love the metrics on screen, that's illuminating too. Would love to see your heart rate overlaid right on top, LOL, I bet it was exhilarating, to say the least. Nice place, and it'll get nicer as they upgrade in the coming years.

[@bryancohn9406]

The course is a minimum of 36 ft wide and at its widest 55 ft wide.

[@johnwilliams4545]

That looks magnificent, what a great drivers track. Nice driving, nice car, really enjoy your videos 👍👍. From one of your Aussie followers.

[@stephenhenion8304]

I'd say Bridge over Tunnel....great video Steve!🎩🇺🇸🎩

[@bobmanzi7712]

great stuff Steve ,thanks love that car sounds great.

[@tinmeister356]

Incredible amount of blind turns and and blind spots. Somebody's going to spin and get nailed by another car in one of those spaces. I hope there will be PLENTY of turn marshals to help you guys out. There are a couple of places like that at my home track, Sears Point in Sonoma, and it can be kinda spooky sometimes.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

An SCCA member I spoke to estimated it will take 40 marshals to run an event there with all the blind hills.

[@ghost21501]

Can't wait for track days to start there. I live less than an hour north of the track on highway 135.

[@tomsparks3259]

This is no Alan Wilson track where you can have an off that will cost you nothing but your pride. And at 3.97 miles there's a lot of track to learn here.

[@rossmontani5557]

Definitely a learning curve, no pun intended.

[@datasailor8132]

Nice new track. Interesting corner worker’s sheds that seem to be set up for one worker only. It can get lonely out there and sometimes there’s incidents that require more than one person.

[@screaminlead]

Not only that, the small round top means that unless the sun is directly above there is almost no shade for the marshals. They wanted an aesthetic over function.

[@AnthonyMolyneux]

Great video. Very exciting. Nice one Steve.

[@zachemorgan]

You should record audio after for your laps and tell us where the braking points are and what you where trying to do or get used to in the car.

[@bobrk]

great track! love it!

[@kevinkevin7860]

I hope to race this at ShelbyFest 2022! Hoping to put down a great lap! Thank you for the essentially first hand experience. 😏

[@PaulinesPastimes]

An amazing track design and obviously a huge achievement. Far too many blind crests and off-camber corners for my liking and the passing opportunities look dangerous. I can't imagine what it would be like battling a field of cars all racing each other. Lots of fender bending I think. Lucky you had such a fast car with lots of downforce. Nice driving as always.

[@Quintanaroo2117]

Exactly, I prefer tracks that provide plenty of passing opportunities.

[@davidlyon1899]

Looked a lovely track in a beautiful location but there were no straights.How do you pass?

[@dchamp1337]

Thanks, Steve. Looks like a very challenging and fun track. We may do the WRL endurance race there next April our E46 BMW. There may be everything there from the NP01 like yours to Miata / Civics, I can see that passing will be interesting there, everyone's going to need to be on their toes to make racing in traffic work. Curious why there's some areas where the racing surface has been ground and / or patched?

[@johndavey72]

Very demanding and tricky Steve ! And that's before you get on the circuit !!! It really was a hard track to memorise and master . Glad you had a good day . How far from home to the track ? Thanks Steve.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

About 8 hours for me because no major interstate run that direction.

[@robertloyet8284]

cant wait to take my saab there

[@sgttombailes3380]

Excellent~~!!

[@dandodds1926]

Thanks for the ride!

[@fharrisstowe]

Fantastic!

[@reecewatson773]

As long as I can have a hill to set my camper and truck on over looking the track for a weekend I don't need a grandstand.

[@johnrussell5245]

Great track. Reminds me of Cadwell Park here in the UK-only the American track is only 4 times wider!

[@seanwalsh999]

I am thinking that you were probably the fastest car there that day, as yours looks like a purpose built race car where as everybody you passed was in a sports car. Maybe you can do a video on that car? Thanks for the ride along, thats one tough track.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

There was another car like mine there with about twice the power of mine. It’s the one I pull up behind at the beginning of the video.

[@robt2151]

I'm not much into the racing but I would like a bit more detail about your transporter.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

It is a Showhauler Motorhome pulling a Renegade Stacker Trailer

[@roycarter6235]

WOW!!

[@RalloRacing]

Thanks for posting! Do those cars blip their downshifts or is that done by the driver?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Done by driver on this one. I think there are a couple with autoblip.

[@truegret7778]

It's going to be challenging for sure ... not certain about the lack of run-off for higher-performance [edit] vehicles. Great scenery, but to be honest, you ([edit] - by "you" I mean the owners of the track) didn't think big enough. It would grow to be a beautiful major series (IndyCar, F1) track .... Can't wait to see GT3 events. Last note: maybe it is more like Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya than Nurburgring ... ?

[@pfpdlt]

Great video but I have to ask what is the top speed of that car. Is sounds mean but like it really wanted the onions feed to it

[@benjytexas]

Is ARMCO the name of this track?

[@dachit2]

The pavement seemed to have two pretty visible seams. Did they affect the driving at all or is is mostly visual?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

The track is incredibly smooth.

[@keithwevers4551]

very much like elkart lake in wisconsin

[@mikerubynfs]

Your country roads are better than here in the far west of England, we just have stone walls and hedges next to the road not even grass, lots of bends and the road will just narrow to a single lane in places.

[@949RacingSuperMiata]

That wall on pit entrance.. Whoever designed and approved that should be kicked in the junk. Jeebus.

[@theplaguedoctor8965]

My dad had the multicolored s-10

[@rubindastoor5629]

Thanks for the video, quick question...do they have fuel there?

[@tkkk20]

I don't believe so. Not yet at least

[@syretia551]

Man, that is an absolutely terribly designed entrance and parking lot. That entire thing needs to be revamped. If they actually get any sort of decent amount of people at the same time, it's going to be a complete road block.

[@TheOne-nj3kw]

What route did you take to get to the track in a big hauler? I drive a full size semi and still trying to figure out the best route that avoids any low bridges or small weighted bridges. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

I was coming from the north and took the way Google suggested which was I-35 down to Cameron, MO where I took 69 to get onto 13 to I-70 and took 5 to the track, this was a terrible drive. On the way back I took 5 again leaving the track because getting on 135 with my rig was sketchy. I went up to 70 and went all the way west to Kansas City to pick up I-35, it was worth the extra drive especially that time of day.

[@matdddd]

🤙

[@timothyadcock5103]

Leave your Road America gears at home and bring your best throttle steering skills. You’re going to need them. 😎

[@jamesdearman814]

the track forces you to keep the speed down adn skills up - this is a pro track. you never showed us your mazda elan.

[@roberthenley2474]

I wonder if Watkins-Glen could compare to this track. Whaddya think Steve?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Watkins Glen is flat in comparison

[@aczech12]

I guess only Spa, Nordschleife, Bilster Berg, Mosport, Algarve and maybe some track I don't recall can only come close if you mean gradient wise.

[@jormam2273]

What size is your transporter?

[@speedy1737]

What kind of car is the Mazda

[@Max1972power]

I feel sorry for the corner workers this summer when it is 95°+ and the sun is beating down on that corrugated metal. They’re going to bake in those things. Whoever designed them should have to sit in them for 10 hours in the blazing sun.

[@daviddyess3938]

What is the top speed on course in your car? Trying to figure out if it is too fast of a course for my ktm 690 smc-r to be competitive.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

If you have good tires I would think you would top out on sections of this course because I think the flow connecting some of these corners would be a lot of fun on a bike.

[@geevesracing]

Not likely that you'll be competing on a bike any time soon, but IF there are bike trackdays there, your 690 would be well suited. Here's one of my motorcycle laps around. I wouldn't recommend it, as it sits, though. Much safer at Heartland, or Hallet which aren't too far away. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ianQlWuwr8hpobc

[@amberlenfesty9018]

That Toyota looks fast 😁 what engine powers it and how much does it weigh?

[@tifthetif6567]

What??? A race track like this? And in USA? Wow, congrats to americans

[@leonhill8447]

A whole racetrack 100% unsafe for motorcycles and sketchy even for cars. Sad.