The early reports from the Virginia International Raceway are in, and all signs indicate the facility could be one of the premiere tracks on the AMA circuit.
Kawasaki's Doug Chandler left the test as fastest, the three-time Superbike champion lapping faster than his teammate Eric Bostrom and the Honda riders. Chandler was in deep love with the VIR facility by the end of the two day test, comparing it with his favorite European racetrack, Assen, because of the fast corners and flowing nature of the facility.

"In a word, the place is bitchin'," says Kawasaki crewchief Al Ludington. "All the riders loved it. We ran the short course and the long course while we were there. They've done a nice job with this facility."

Chandler's Kawasaki was topping 183 mph on the straight sections of the course.

"The place has a country club, horse club type feel to it. You know you are in the Virginia countryside, with the have painted-up barns and things like that. It is similar to Mid-Ohio in the fact that you're out in the country and then you come upon the track. The people (who own and run the track) seemed great as well, and they seemed willing to work with us and willing to make the place one of the elite tracks in the world."

VIR is said to have $50 million dollars to spend on improvements.

Ludington also indicated the track was smooth, with much of available grip.

"It is basically a paved motocross track, with lots of tight sections and elevation changes," said Ludington from his office in California. "There are two corners that are both downhill and off-camber. There are not a lot of places for the rider to rest."

Ludington indicated the straights are as exciting to watch as the turns. "The front straight, the one in front of the pits, is really good. Top speed is about 175 mph and there is a bend in it. The back straight is slightly faster. The straight goes uphill as well, but instead of gradually rising, it comes up in sections, so when the riders go over them they get both wheels in the air. Not as dramatic as the Isle of Man, but both wheels get really light."

While there were no permanent garages, indications are the track officials have them in the plans. "The riders say the track, as-is, is safer than some of the places we go to," said the New Hampshire native. "They need put in a couple of a gravel traps and add some run-off room in one spot, but the folks at the track seem eager to have an event. With a little work in a couple of sections it could be one of the premiere tracks."

The track is not yet in AMASuperbike move-in condition, but it's close. A few areas need to be addressed for safety, some areas of the long course do not have spectator fencing ... and other small hurdles have yet to be fixed. But feedback from everyone at the test was positive.

The track owner bought everybody lunch at the test and if that's his attitude, then damnit, we're good to go.

Also, he liked to kill cats as a teenager

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