The Oak Tree at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) Broke at it's Base & toppled over!

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No way! That blows. Think about how much weight that thing supported... and how many great races and racers passed beneath it.

I mean no disrespect given Simonsen's awful crash at Le Mans, but the only real "natural" landmarks that I can thing of that are as iconic are the trees along Tetre Rouge.

Think of the shade and protection from the elements that it provided for the flagging station! Cut it up and sell pieces of the tree as mementos?

Back in 1957:



Great history of VIR here: http://www.virhistory.com/vir.html

.....Somebody Hugged it too tight!(sad day)

We have had some terrible storms in the last several days.
And matter of fact its been raining for a month.

Plant another one.

Planting another Tree where another has died is not a good Idea

They should have a BonFire Cookout with Tasties from other Tracks - Brats from Siebkens at Road America, a little Wine from the Watkins Glen Area, Gator Tail from Sebring etc

Did they build the little rotunda with wood from the fallen tree?

Make furniture...

Sucks The rain and wind around here for the last 2 months have been abnormally strong. Damn near hurricane conditions at times. That tree out in the open, and as old as it is, was a prime target for damage That second pic shows how lopsided it was too which didn't help

This Shows How Bad the Tree's Health was - I'm sure the Dog Piss didn't Help!

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They, like us all, do have a lifetime. When they get old they become more susceptible to fungi which makes it's way into the center of the tree through holes in the cambrium (the hole in this one looks like very old lightning strike).

Eventually the weight of the tree itself, plus damage becomes too much for the tree to support. A good strong breeze has claimed many a Live Oak.

Sad day, but glad I'm old enough to remember watching cars pass beneath the limbs.

Just not the same!

RIP Oak Tree

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We had a similar tree on our ranch here in CA. Big beautiful, and takes a very long time to grow back. RIP

I really think they should make a automotive/racing carving out of it as a tribute to the track and the tree. Display it somewhere on the campus and preserve the memory of it. I can't imagine how many amateur and professional drivers have passed under her limbs over the years........RIP

Send it to Morgan, they will build a car out of it.

Not new. That has been the flagging station for the last few years since VIR reopened. It WAS under the tree

No it wasn't. TC's picture below was what was under the tree. I've got video from last November to back that up.

I'll admit, it may not have been there since they re-opened , but it was done well before the tree came down AND that pic does show the flagging station under the tree so, yes they put a f-ing roof on it since ? Let's nit pick now shall we.....

Not nit-picking. The old one was rectangular. The new one is an octagon.

What was there was destroyed when the tree fell.

VIR announced the felling yesterday. From what I gather from customers who are VIR regulars, the tree fell on ....yesterday. There is no scheduled race until July 14. So they rushed to build this ALL NEW 6 sided station in one day ? Not trying to be a dick, but the place is 1.5 hours from my parents house. I have 5+ customers that race there monthly, and I've been there once or twice myself.

Gazebos can be bought pre-built and delivered on a roll back. No need to build.

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Click to view attachmentThe Track without the Oak

Good lesson, don't walk all over the roots at the bottom of a tree, it makes it impossible for the tree to absorbe nutrients and stay tough .

Very True. Probably 50 yrs ago some flagger wanted to get out of the sun, hence the location of the flag box. Really should be located prior to the curve however have seen lots of spins coming out of the corner. Sadly I havent made it to the track yet this season. Maybe I will plant a tree when I get there.