Gallant Park

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Gallant Park Follows Intrepid, Valiant and Noble in this ocassional series.

Measuring 6.8km (4.24 miles) this anti-clockwise running circuit is spectacular in it's setting. The circuit sits across both high and low ground and features a unique 490m long tunnel that passes under the first corner. The tunnel is a redevelopment of an existing tunnel that was originally built for a highway that was later re-routed to visit the nearby town of Gallant.

Perhaps controversially the circuit was not constructed with short circuit options though there is an obvious link, but this would require a bridge to access the pit and paddock area.

The circuit features a number of overtaking possibilites, noteably T1 at the end of the 863m S/F straight, T8 at the end of the 800m tunnel straight, T13 following the sweeping curves and up hill approach, The T16 hairpin is the final overtaking point on the lap.

OK that's the description, done.
As you'll see I've taken the time to 3D this design as fully as the angular slopes allow. It's not perfect by any means but until I can find a better way...
The Tunnel I expect to be controversial, though the description should placate the moneymen amongst us.
I've also taken on board some comments about not showing infrastructure. While I haven't shown a perimeter road, I have included grandstands, with road access and car parking.

Comments, criticism and possible edits are welcome.

[bio]

A bit hard t make the track out in the first pic.

There are parts I like and there are parts I don't that much. Some of the gravel pits (like the one at the top right corner). I'm also not convinced that digging a tunnel under the main grand stand would be a welcome idea.

But overall it seems just another good one from you.

[werner]

You'll need some strong lights in the tunnel. I like the track, especially, the part where the track goes uphill again. A bit like Eau Rouge at first, and a difficult lefthander immediately after the crest. That must be challenging. I think it is a good idea to put seats near the entrance of the tunnel. Spectators can see the cars storming from the hill, and when the race will finisch soon, they can quikly go watch it at the turn 1-grandstand. Another good place would be T9, spectators can see overtaking in turn 8, the corner itself is a challenging one, and people can easily walk to the main grandstand.

[TilkeWannabe]

I'm lovin' what you come up with SBF! Extravagant idea building a tunnel under a grandstand I must say. Kudos for all the cool features in it.

What I'd do to change it would be to...

1. Extend the turn 2 gravel trap.

2. Extend the turn 6 gravel trap, (I'm not sure whether that part of my edit is possible because of the slight descent up the road.)

3. Bring turn 14 forward a little bit so there's more space for a larger gravel trap. Oh, and I'm really sorry my edit looks like some 3 year old scribbled on it. It was a quick edit.

[Tathrim]

TW, are you sure that you have the direction of the track correct? you've indicated the problems if the track was clockwise. it is anti-clockwise, as SBF has stated.

Nicely done. Is this an idea that is similar to the idea you had for oner of your other tracks (the 2D one that goes under the paddock, can't remember the name of it.

As for suggestions, how about merging 12 and 13 to get a better run in to the hairpin at 14?

[TilkeWannabe]

@Tathrim: I knew about the track direction....and I thought about the changes for anti-clockwise too.

[S.Moss]

Is there any chance of posting the sketchup file? Just wondering how you did the tunnel

[ScotsBrutesFan]

S.Moss there isn't a facility on this site to host the sketchup file.

Here's close up views of the entrance and exit if it helps.

PM me if you want more info.

Oh and regarding the comment about the grandstand over the tunnel , the second image shows that the grandstand actually stops short of the tunnel. I originally designed it to go over tunnel, but then considered that there wasn't enough vertical distance between the top of the tunnel and the ground level above it for supporting foundations for the grandstand.

[Yannick]

This is 3D graphics galore! Thanks for posting. It looks beautiful. The tunnel is a cool idea. The track itself flows nicely. Turn 1 and the left-hander at the end of the tunnel would be the most obvious spots for overtaking, rather not the hairpin because the run towards it is too short. Still, it's a bit unfortunate that spectators won't be able to see the build-up of an overtaking move that happens inside of the tunnel.

[bio]

S. Moss,

Not too complicated: you put a rectangle at one side of the tunnel and extrude it - the hole is bored.

And there are other methods, but I think this is the easiest.