Interesting period photos.... :)

[MO]

This statement is from the NASCAR "License to Drive" event criteria.

"Participants will drive their vehicles for two escorted laps at 55 mph, allowing all drivers to maintain enough speed to take on the 31-degree banking".

[maroman]

I remember the same statement being made when I took the tour as Boomer said. All I can say is from the tram at the bottom of the track it looked like a vertical wall.

[396 SS/RS]

I did Charlotte Motor Speedway several times on a Harley. We were told that we had to maintain 75 to stay on the bank and DO NOT PASS the lead car. Me and a couple friends had learned the trick was to lag from the group to create a half lap gap and let it roll. The bike actually went around itself when at speed. If you try to go on the bank before at speed you will come right down to the bottom. It was a blast!

[Sauron327]

I did Charlotte Motor Speedway several times on a Harley. We were told that we had to maintain 75 to stay on the bank and DO NOT PASS the lead car. Me and a couple friends had learned the trick was to lag from the group to create a half lap gap and let it roll. The bike actually went around itself when at speed. If you try to go on the bank before at speed you will come right down to the bottom. It was a blast!

"Wall of Death" at Laconia.

[Sauron327]

Anyone sit on their cars today? I do.

[Sauron327]

No snow tires.

[69Z28-RS]

Re the banking (31 deg) at Daytona...

As a NCM member in 1999, we were invited to attend the inaugeral 24 hrs of Daytona race as a guest of 'Corvette and Chevrolet', and to follow the Pace car (a Corvette) during the pace lap in our Corvettes.   I was driving my 1990 ZR1 as we followed the Pace Car around the track (at about 25-30 mph).   Even though we were 'told' NOT to drive up onto the high bank, I couldn't resist... and I found at that low speed, the car really wanted to steer down the bank, so I had to steer pretty hard UP the bank just to maintain myself on the banking.   I didn't stay up there long, but wanted to take the opportunity to do it! 

Corvette Racing's first event at Daytona International Speedway was in 1999 at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, marking the beginning of the modern era of Corvette racing. The C5.R, which stands for "racing", debuted at the race and was a regular competitor in global GT racing for the next five years. The team ran a six-hour test at Daytona over four days to simulate the 24-hour race, and Doug Fehan led the car into the race. Although the C5.R led the GT2 class for most of the race, engine issues caused them to finish in third place. Despite this setback, GM executives were impressed with the car's performance.