Road course · Virginia, USADriver’s guide

Virginia International Raceway

Virginia International Raceway is a road course in Virginia. This guide takes you round it turn by turn, with the surface, the rules, a computed line and the elevation, then where to stay and eat.

3.27
Miles
22
Turns
128
Ft of elevation

01Track map

VIR track map

134a4b5a5b6a78a9101213141516a17S/FN250 m
LayoutOther loopsPit laneS/F Estimated

© OpenStreetMap contributorsODbL 1.0

VIRginia International Raceway Full Course with Pit Lane

Layout name from an OpenStreetMap circuit relation.

Mapped length
3.27mi
5.26 km
Direction
Clockwise
From OSM one-way tagging.
Start/finish line
Estimated
Estimated by TRACK from the mapped geometry and not verified on site. TRACK asks you to confirm or move it before timing laps here, when you’re stopped.
Published length (cross-check)
3.27 mi · mapped loop agrees within 3%
Corners
19
Inferred from curvature, not official turn numbers
Sectors
3
Estimated, near each third of the lap

Source geometry: OpenStreetMap ↗. Something wrong? Fixing it in OpenStreetMap improves it for everyone.

02Overview

What VIR is like to drive.

VIR sits in rolling farmland on the Virginia and North Carolina border, a few miles east of Danville, and its Full Course follows the natural shape of the land rather than flattening it. First opened in 1957, closed in 1974 and revived in 2000, the circuit mixes two very long straights with linked sequences of corners, blind crests and around 130 feet of elevation change. It is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and rewarding road courses on the US East Coast.

What sets VIR apart is how often one corner exists only to set up the next. The slow left at Turn 4a dictates the whole Snake, Turn 11 has to be compromised to get Oak Tree right, and the Roller Coaster and Hog Pen are best treated as single complexes. Club guides repeatedly stress long, patient apexes along the curbing and a willingness to give up entry speed in one corner to carry exit speed onto the straight that follows.

The fast sections are the ones to respect. The Climbing Esses run uphill through a left-right-left-right rhythm over crests, and South Bend (Turn 10) is a quick, downhill, partly blind left whose exit falls away off camber. Club guides call it the most dangerous place to make a mistake, but it has a large grass field outside the exit, so the advice is to straighten and run wide rather than try to hold a car that has gone in too fast.

For a first-time HPDE driver, VIR rewards building speed slowly. Corners such as Turn 1, Turn 3 and Oak Tree are tighter or longer than they look, so learn reference points with your instructor before chasing time. Overlaying laps in TRACK on the Esses, Oak Tree and the Roller Coaster is a good way to see where speed is really won or lost.

03Lap at a glance

Where the speed is, and where the hills are.

Length
3.27mi
Elevation range
128ft
Steepest grade
8%
Braking zones
15model
Full throttle
57% model
Longest straight
3412ft
134a4b5b5a6a78a9101213141516a17MPH14343FT498370S/F0.5 mi1.0 mi1.5 mi2.0 mi2.5 mi3.0 mi
Model speed (generic track-day car)Elevation · USGS 3DEP

The speed trace is a model, not a real lap: a generic track-day car (about 1.1 g of cornering grip, 1 g braking, 150 W/kg) driven on the computed line through an assumed 12 m wide track. Use it to see where the braking zones and flat-out sections are, not to predict your speeds. Elevation: USGS 3DEP 1/3 arc-second (NED 10 m) via OpenTopoData, sampled every 25 m along the mapped centerline.

04Turn by turn

Every turn at VIR.

Official turn numbers, with braking, turn-in, apex and exit notes researched from the sources listed below. Each diagram shows the computed line: the minimum-curvature path through an assumed 12 m wide track. It’s a geometric starting point. Your instructor’s line comes first, and the turn positions on the diagrams are matched to the mapped geometry by hand and approximate.

  1. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    196° right
    Tightest radius
    33 m
    Model speed
    139 → 47 mph
    Braking (model)
    220 m
    Grade
    0.0%
    1

    Horseshoe

    ↱ Rightslowhairpindownhill

    A long right that turns back more than 180 degrees at the end of the front straight, tighter in the first half and opening in the second.3,4,13

    Braking
    Brake hard in a straight line. The zone runs downhill and can be slippery, so it takes longer to stop than you expect. Do not lift early on the straight, but leave a margin while you learn it.
    Turn-in
    Turn in near the arrow board on the left, around where the apex curb begins, and carry some brake pressure into the corner.
    Apex
    Use a long, late apex along the last part of the inside curb. This is one of the few curbs at VIR that guides suggest driving on.
    Exit
    Feed in throttle only after the apex as the corner opens, using the left half of the track and then drifting back right to set up Turn 2.
    Common mistakes
    Braking too late with little spare pavement, turning in too early and running out of road at the exit, and getting on the throttle before the apex.
  2. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    2

    Turn 2

    ↰ Leftfastkink

    A gentle arc linking Turn 1 to the braking zone for Turn 3.3,4

    Braking
    No braking for Turn 2 itself. The Turn 3 braking zone starts while the car is still curving, so come off the throttle smoothly.
    Turn-in
    From the right half of the track, start a slight arc to the left as the tech building comes into view on the left.
    Apex
    Faster drivers touch the middle of the Turn 2 apex curb. A wider line that skips it is fine while learning.
    Exit
    Unwind the steering a little as you approach the flag station so you can brake with the car straighter.
    Common mistakes
    Braking hard while still turning, which can unsettle the car before Turn 3.
  3. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    125° left
    Tightest radius
    29 m
    Model speed
    89 → 56 mph
    Braking (model)
    95 m
    Grade
    +1.0%
    3

    NASCAR Bend

    ↰ Leftmediumsweeper

    A fairly fast left that tightens toward the exit.3,4

    Braking
    Brake gently and smoothly before the curbing on the right. Since the repave it needs less braking than it used to.
    Turn-in
    Enter close to the right-side curb and turn in decisively at the end of it, with a bit more steering than it first seems to need.
    Apex
    A long apex along the second half of the inside curbing.
    Exit
    Track out well along the exit curbing. There is paved runoff beyond it, but treat that as a safety margin and not part of the line.
    Common mistakes
    Coasting on entry, and underestimating how much the corner tightens.
  4. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    141° left
    Tightest radius
    24 m
    Model speed
    85 → 46 mph
    Braking (model)
    80 m
    Grade
    -0.4%
    4a

    Left Hook

    ↰ Leftslowhairpin

    Possibly the slowest corner on the circuit, and it sets up everything through the Snake.3,4,15

    Braking
    Heavy braking in a straight line, then more trail braking than anywhere else on the lap.
    Turn-in
    Make a sharp left. The goal is not to track out to the right.
    Apex
    Clip the inside and keep the car on the left half of the track, ideally near the left-side curbing.
    Exit
    Stay left to set up 4b. Little track-out is used here, although low-power, high-grip cars can use a bit more.
    Common mistakes
    Overdriving the entry and running wide to the right, which ruins 4b and the Snake.
  5. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    181° left
    Tightest radius
    30 m
    Model speed
    85 → 46 mph
    Braking (model)
    80 m
    Grade
    -0.4%
    4b

    Turn 4b

    ↱ Rightslowdownhill

    A short right straight after 4a. Its exit runs downhill into the Snake.3

    Braking
    None needed if 4a was done right.
    Turn-in
    Turn in after the end of the left-side curbing, a little later than feels natural.
    Apex
    Clip the apex where the curb sticks out most, in its second half.
    Exit
    Start the throttle and look well ahead past 5a. Drift out toward the left curb without touching it.
    Common mistakes
    Turning in too early, and looking at the curb instead of far ahead.
  6. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    65° right
    Tightest radius
    41 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 76 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    +1.7%
    5a

    Turn 5a

    ↱ Rightmediumesses

    The start of the Snake. It is cambered and tightens slightly, and you can't see what follows until you are almost at the apex.3,4

    Braking
    Usually none. Steady, modulated throttle from 4b.
    Turn-in
    Turn in at the end of the outside curb, keeping the wheel briefly straight instead of turning early.
    Apex
    Use the camber at the apex. Experienced drivers sometimes run on the inside curb, but only with the car straight.
    Exit
    Accelerate firmly as the corners that follow open up.
    Common mistakes
    Turning in before the curb ends, and missing the apex, which makes the front wash out. Shadows can change grip here.
  7. APEXEXIT
    Turns
    52° left
    Tightest radius
    60 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 75 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    +1.8%
    5b

    Snake

    ↰ Leftfastesses

    A change of direction that begins the near-straight run through the Snake.3,4

    Braking
    None for most cars. Powerful cars may need a small lift for the change of direction.
    Turn-in
    Flow in from 5a with smooth, small steering inputs.
    Apex
    Stay off the inside curb here. It is described as unfriendly.
    Exit
    Hold a straight, flowing line toward 6a.
    Common mistakes
    Hitting the curb, and abrupt steering at speed.
  8. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    8° left
    Tightest radius
    60 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 90 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    +0.7%
    6a

    Snake

    ↰ Leftfastesses

    A fast left in the Snake, usually taken at or near full throttle.3,4,5

    Braking
    None. Take it under power.
    Turn-in
    Keep the line as straight as possible through 5b, 6a and 6b.
    Apex
    Large cars sometimes take an aggressive line with the left front tire level with the inside curb edge. Newer drivers should stay off it.
    Exit
    Set up 6b and the straight that follows.
    Common mistakes
    Large cars struggling to fit the pavement, and using the curbs too aggressively.
  9. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    6b

    Snake

    ↱ Rightfastesses

    The last part of the Snake, leading onto a straight.3,4

    Braking
    None.
    Turn-in
    Continue the straightened line from 6a.
    Apex
    Usually stay off the inside curb.
    Exit
    Full throttle onto the straight toward the Climbing Esses.
    Common mistakes
    Running out of room in a wide car, and curb strikes.
  10. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    18° left
    Tightest radius
    111 m
    Model speed
    132 → 123 mph
    Braking (model)
    30 m
    Grade
    +1.3%
    7

    Climbing Esses

    ↰ Leftfastessesuphill

    A gentle left at the start of the uphill esses. How you exit it sets up the rest of the sequence.3,4

    Braking
    Only moderate braking, and none in lower-power cars. Higher-power cars brake here and scrub speed into 8a.
    Turn-in
    A long, gentle bend from the North Course entrance road on the right to the far end of the left apex curb.
    Apex
    A late apex, keeping close to the left edge.
    Exit
    Stay left, parallel to the white line, well past the curb until it is time to turn for 8a.
    Common mistakes
    Drifting right too early on exit, and using the curbs. Small errors here can be serious.
  11. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    17° right
    Tightest radius
    72 m
    Model speed
    132 → 120 mph
    Braking (model)
    60 m
    Grade
    +3.5%
    8a

    Climbing Esses

    ↱ Rightfastcrest

    A right over a crest in the Esses.3,4,5

    Braking
    None for most track-day cars. Keep inputs smooth.
    Turn-in
    Turn right as the hill starts to compress the front tires.
    Apex
    Apex at the far end of the right-side curb, crossing the crest with the wheels straight.
    Exit
    Unwind the steering over the top and set up 8b.
    Common mistakes
    Holding steering lock over the crest, which can make the car light and loose.
  12. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    8b

    Climbing Esses

    ↰ Leftfastessesuphill

    A left in the uphill rhythm section.3,4,5

    Braking
    None.
    Turn-in
    Flow in from 8a with steady throttle.
    Apex
    Follow the second half of the apex curbing. Most cars don't need to use the curb.
    Exit
    Straighten the car and prepare for 9.
    Common mistakes
    Jerky steering, and riding the curb.
  13. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    32° right
    Tightest radius
    85 m
    Model speed
    120 → 98 mph
    Braking (model)
    75 m
    Grade
    +5.1%
    9

    Climbing Esses

    ↱ Rightfastesses

    The more open last corner of the Esses, taken on part or full throttle.3,4

    Braking
    None for the corner itself. Brake gently in a straight line afterwards for Turn 10.
    Turn-in
    Keep the throttle steady.
    Apex
    A long apex along the middle of the curbing.
    Exit
    Track out to the left half, then move straight back to the right side to set up South Bend.
    Common mistakes
    Not getting back to the right in time for Turn 10.
  14. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    46° left
    Tightest radius
    63 m
    Model speed
    108 → 84 mph
    Braking (model)
    80 m
    Grade
    +1.5%
    10

    South Bend

    ↰ Leftfastsweeperdownhill

    The fastest corner at VIR: a downhill left that is partly blind and goes off camber at the exit.3,4

    Braking
    Brake while the car is straight. Little or no trail braking, which guides say is a common mistake here.
    Turn-in
    Turn in from as far right as possible as soon as the apex curb comes into view.
    Apex
    A long apex along the first third or more of the curbing, next to it rather than fully on it. The apex can look later than it is.
    Exit
    Add throttle progressively once you can see through the corner. Treat the exit curb as your margin, not part of the line.
    Common mistakes
    Trail braking in, turning in early, and trying to save a car that has gone in too fast instead of straightening and running into the field.
  15. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    11

    Turn 11

    ↱ Rightmediumsweeperuphill

    The first part of the Oak Tree complex, approached uphill and on camber. Drive it to set up Turn 12.3,4

    Braking
    Use the uphill approach to help slow the car. It needs less braking than it looks.
    Turn-in
    Make a modest turn-in from the left side of the track.
    Apex
    Run almost diagonally past the apex toward the outside curbing on the left.
    Exit
    Arrive fully left, parallel to the outside curb and under control, ready to turn for 12.
    Common mistakes
    Braking too much and then accelerating again before 12. Learners may use a little throttle between the two while they get used to it.
  16. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    162° right
    Tightest radius
    17 m
    Model speed
    60 → 41 mph
    Braking (model)
    50 m
    Grade
    +2.7% · crest
    12

    Oak Tree

    ↱ Rightslowhairpindownhill

    A tight right that is off camber with a downhill exit and leads onto the long back straight. Guides call it the most important corner for lap time.3,4,8

    Braking
    Brake from Turn 11 into Turn 12 and trail brake into the turn.
    Turn-in
    Turn in deliberately once all four wheels are on the sealer strip, with more steering than you expect.
    Apex
    Finish most of the turning before the apex. Don't commit to the throttle until the car points at or right of the outside flag station.
    Exit
    Use the second half of the exit curbing and get on the throttle progressively onto the back straight.
    Common mistakes
    Overdriving it and going four wheels off just past the apex. Early throttle on the off-camber, downhill exit.
  17. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    21° left
    Tightest radius
    52 m
    Model speed
    143 → 57 mph
    Braking (model)
    210 m
    Grade
    +0.5%
    13

    Roller Coaster

    ↰ Leftfastcrestuphill

    A slight left up a steep hill at the end of the back straight. It begins one braking zone that runs through Turns 13 to 15.3,4,5

    Braking
    Start braking before the hill and let the climb help. Ease off the pedal over the top, then brake again as the car settles.
    Turn-in
    Bend left over the hill to finish on the left half of the track.
    Apex
    There isn't much of an apex. Positioning on track left for 14 matters more.
    Exit
    Keep brake pressure all the way to the Turn 14 turn-in. Most cars drop at least two gears through here.
    Common mistakes
    Braking too hard early, then releasing before Turn 14.
  18. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    73° right
    Tightest radius
    31 m
    Model speed
    143 → 50 mph
    Braking (model)
    240 m
    Grade
    -5.1%
    14

    Roller Coaster

    ↱ Rightslowcrest

    A slow right over a crest, given up to get a good run through Turn 15.3,4,5

    Braking
    Trail braking helps here because of the elevation change.
    Turn-in
    Turn in well before the apex curb starts.
    Apex
    Reach the curb in its first third and follow it around. In effect it is a late apex.
    Exit
    Hold the line just past the end of the curb, then turn left for 15.
    Common mistakes
    Turning in early and arriving at 15 out of position.
  19. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    49° left
    Tightest radius
    39 m
    Model speed
    143 → 50 mph
    Braking (model)
    240 m
    Grade
    -6.4%
    15

    Roller Coaster

    ↰ Leftmediumcompression

    A downhill left where the compression at the bottom gives a lot of grip.3,4,5

    Braking
    None. Low-power cars can stay flat and others use partial throttle.
    Turn-in
    Turn left once the car is straight after 14.
    Apex
    A slight push is acceptable here.
    Exit
    Accelerate firmly if you are smooth, tracking out fully right using the second half of the exit curb to set up 16a.
    Common mistakes
    Getting greedy with the throttle before the car has turned.
  20. APEXEXIT
    Turns
    51° right
    Tightest radius
    47 m
    Model speed
    97 → 83 mph
    Braking (model)
    55 m
    Grade
    -7.1% · crest
    16a

    Hog Pen

    ↱ Rightmediumdownhill

    The start of the Hog Pen. It looks open on the map but is driven slowly to set up 16b.3,4

    Braking
    Brake smoothly and only moderately, using the rise before the apex curb.
    Turn-in
    Get to the right edge after 15, then take a late-apex entry.
    Apex
    Reach the right-side apex curb before its midpoint and follow it downhill with the car straight.
    Exit
    Use only two-thirds to three-quarters of the track width. Don't run all the way to the left curb.
    Common mistakes
    Entering too fast and ruining the exit of 16b, which leads onto the front straight.
  21. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    16b

    Hog Pen

    ↱ Rightmediumsweepercompression

    A right that drops away at turn-in. The compression then gathers the car up for a strong exit.3,4

    Braking
    No trail braking. Turn in with partial throttle.
    Turn-in
    Turn in at or just after the end of the left apex curb.
    Apex
    Late apex, then make one big arc through toward Turn 17.
    Exit
    Exit speed matters most because the front straight follows. Be at full throttle by about the midpoint between 16 and 17.
    Common mistakes
    Applying full power too early in a high-power car, then not fitting Turn 17.
  22. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    107° right
    Tightest radius
    39 m
    Model speed
    87 → 63 mph
    Braking (model)
    65 m
    Grade
    -5.8%
    17

    Hog Pen

    ↱ Rightfastsweeper

    An opening right onto the front straight. It is barely a corner in low-power cars but matters a lot in fast ones.3,4

    Braking
    None.
    Turn-in
    Continue the arc from 16b.
    Apex
    Many cars don't need to touch the apex curb. A car width or less outside it works.
    Exit
    Track out along the second half of the exit curb. Watch for pit-in on the right.
    Common mistakes
    Not watching for cars heading to pit lane, which is on the right as you leave the corner.

How the turns link up

Turns 1-3: Horseshoe to NASCAR Bend

Turn 1 is about patience. Brake straight on the bumpy downhill approach, take a long late apex, and let the corner open up before you push the throttle. Your exit has to put you on the right side for the gentle Turn 2 arc, and because the Turn 3 braking zone starts while the car is still curving, the brake and steering inputs need to be very gentle. Turn 3 tightens on exit, so turn in firmly and leave the paved runoff alone.

Turns 4a-6b: Left Hook and the Snake

This is where you sacrifice for the next corner. Trail brake hard into the 4a left and stay on the left side instead of tracking out right. Then a late turn-in for 4b, eyes far ahead, and a steady throttle into 5a. Get 4a and 5a right and the Snake from 5b through 6b can be driven almost straight under heavy throttle. Get 4a wrong and you lose time all the way to the Esses. Stay off the 5b curbs.

Turns 7-10: Climbing Esses and South Bend

Treat the Esses as a rhythm, not four separate corners. Some coaches describe them as essentially two right-handers once you are placed properly after 7. Stay left after 7, cross the 8a crest with the wheels straight, follow the long apexes at 8b and 9, then get straight back to the right for South Bend. Brake in a straight line for 10, keep trail braking to a minimum, and add throttle as the corner opens. If you go in too hot, straighten and use the field.

Turns 11-12: Oak Tree complex

Turn 12 is the priority because it starts the longest straight on the lap. Carry speed through 11, arriving parallel to the outside curb on the left, then brake, turn in firmly and trail brake into 12. If you need to give up a little in 11 to make 12 consistent, do it. Don't use the throttle hard until the car is pointed at or right of the flag station, because the exit drops away and is off camber.

Turns 13-15: Roller Coaster

Treat Turns 13 to 15 as one braking zone. Begin before the hill, ease off the pedal over the crest, brake again as the car settles, and keep some pressure on into 14. Turn 14 is given up for Turn 15, where the compression at the bottom of the hill gives you the grip for an early, strong throttle.

Turns 16a-17: Hog Pen to the front straight

Take 16a slowly with a straight run down its curb so you can turn in for 16b on partial throttle and feel the car drop and then grip. From there make one long arc through 17 onto the front straight. A good exit here pays off all the way to Turn 1. Watch for cars signalling pit-in, which is on the right after 17.

Playbook: what matters here

  1. 01

    Instructors and event rules come first

    Passing zones, flag procedures and how many wheels off you are allowed vary between organizers. Use the driver's meeting and your instructor's advice over any guide, this one included.

  2. 02

    Long apexes are normal here

    Many VIR corners, including Turns 1, 3, 8b, 9 and 10, use a long apex where the car runs beside the curb for some distance. Be patient and don't rush to the exit.

  3. 03

    Sacrifice the setup corner

    Turns 4a, 11, 14 and 16a are all given up to help the corner that follows. If your entry speed in these corners stops improving, look at your exit from the next one instead.

  4. 04

    Unwind the steering over crests

    The Esses and the Roller Coaster go over crests. Have the steering straightening, not loaded, as the car goes light.

  5. 05

    South Bend: run off, don't fight it

    If you arrive too fast or turn in early at Turn 10, straighten the wheel and use the big field outside. Trying to save it on track risks a high-speed spin.

  6. 06

    Watch the light and the temperature

    Shadows move across the Snake through the day and grip changes with them. Summer heat in southern Virginia is hard on tires, brakes and drivers, so drink plenty and cool the car down properly.

  7. 07

    Use data on the complexes

    Compare exit speeds onto the back straight after Oak Tree and onto the front straight after Hog Pen. Those two exits matter more than any single entry.

05Surface, conditions & rules

Know the surface before you trust it.

Surface

Asphalt. The Full Course was repaved ahead of the 2014 season, the first full repave since the 1999 work before the circuit reopened, and the track was widened by about six feet in several places to help passing. Guides written after the repave say grip improved, notably at Turns 3 and 10.

2014Last full repave. Full Course repaved and widened by roughly six feet at several locations before the 2014 season, and the North Paddock was paved at the same time. No later full repave was found.6,7

  • The braking zone for Turn 1 runs downhill and is described as bumpy and often slippery, with little camber to help.3
  • The road is heavily crowned from Turn 4a through the Snake, and Turn 5a has the most favourable camber of that section.3,4
  • Turn 10 goes off camber toward its exit, and Turn 12 is off camber with a downhill exit while Turn 11 is on camber.3
  • Morning and late-day shadows fall across parts of the Snake, especially Turn 5a, so grip can change through the day.3
  • Turn 3 became faster with a wider usable exit after the 2014 repave, and Turn 10 gained grip.4
Curbs
One club guide says to run beside the curbs at most corners rather than on them. Turn 1 is one of the few places where riding the inside curb is suggested, and the inside of 5a is an option for experienced drivers who are straight when they hit it. The guide also warns of a groove at the curb edge that can catch some cars, and of unfriendly curbs at 5b. It says the curbs in the Climbing Esses are gentler since the repave but can still unsettle the car, so less consistent drivers should stay off them.
Runoff
There is a large open field outside the exit of Turn 10 (South Bend), which is why guides tell drivers who arrive too fast to straighten and run off rather than fight the car. There is paved runoff outside the exit curbing at Turn 3, though at least one club counts using it as an off. Turn 12 often catches drivers who overdrive it, putting all four wheels off just past the apex.
Weather

The area has a humid subtropical climate. Based on 1991-2020 normals at nearby Danville, July daytime highs average around 89 F with frequent summer thunderstorms, and July is the wettest month. January nights average below freezing, with occasional light snow. Expect hot, sticky summer days that are hard on tires, brakes and drivers. Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons, while winter mornings can bring cold, low-grip tarmac.14

Noise

No published decibel limit was found on VIR's policy pages. The venue bans running unmuffled engines between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and observes property-wide quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Check the event organizer's own sound rules before you go.9

Passing & event rules

Passing rules are set by each event's organizer. As an example, one club's guide uses point-by passing on marked straights: on the right on the front straight, on the left on the back straight, short zones between Turns 1 and 2, 3 and 4, after 6b, after 10 and between 15 and 16, and no passing in the Climbing Esses. Always follow the rules from your own event's driver's meeting.

  • Standard track rentals run hot from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.9
  • The speed limit is 15 mph in the paddock, in front of the Lodge and on South Bend Road, and 25 mph on access roads. No testing, cool-down laps, brake bedding or burnouts on access roads.9
  • Refuel in the paddock over a drip pan, and refuel on pit lane only during scheduled racing events. Report fuel spills straight away.9
  • Drinking alcohol before driving on track, including the kart track, is prohibited at all times.9
  • Pets are discouraged, must be leashed, and are not allowed on false grid, pit road, restricted areas or in VIR buildings. Open fires are banned in all paddocks.9
Paddock & facilities
  • Sunoco fuel is sold at the North Paddock fuel island: 93 and 100 octane unleaded, plus ethanol-free 98 octane (260 GTX) and 110 octane leaded for off-road and racing use. The pumps take credit cards only. Fuel information checked October 2026.10
  • On-site lodging includes The Lodge (a 27-room hotel), 18 Pit Lane Suites in the North Paddock overlooking pit lane, and the Villas at South Bend, which overlook the Esses. Checked October 2026.11
  • There are premium reserved and general camping sites for RVs and tents, and some premium sites have power and water.11
  • Garage options include the North Paddock Garages, the Grid 9 Garage and long-term garage storage.11
  • Food on site includes The Tavern (Oak Tree Tavern) and the Pagoda Grill. The property also has karting.11,9

Rules and facilities change. Your event organizer’s rules and the venue’s current information always win.

06Configurations

Every mapped loop at VIR.

TRACK finds each closed loop in the OpenStreetMap raceway network. Named layouts come from OSM circuit relations; the rest are named by length, and some may be combinations the venue never runs. Your first session confirms which one you drove.

  • N250 m

    Full circuit

    4.14 mi

    6.67 kmClockwiseS/F EstimatedName inferred

  • N250 m

    VIRginia International Raceway Full Course with Pit Lane

    3.27 mi

    5.26 kmClockwiseS/F Estimated

  • N250 m

    Layout C · 3.7 km

    2.28 mi

    3.67 kmClockwiseS/F EstimatedName inferred

  • N100 m

    Layout D · 2.6 km

    1.64 mi

    2.63 kmClockwiseS/F EstimatedName inferred

© OpenStreetMap contributorsODbL 1.0

07Time it with TRACK

Drive VIR. TRACK knows where you are.

No setup and no transponder. Start a session in the paddock and TRACK recognises VIR and the layout from your GPS trace, then times every lap and sector with a live delta to your best.

iPhone · betaAndroid · planned
Join early accessSee lap timing
  1. 1DetectTRACK matches your first few hundred metres against every mapped layout at VIR, including shared pavement between configurations.
  2. 2Confirm the lineThe start/finish line here is estimated. When you’re stopped, TRACK shows it on the map: accept it or tap to move it. You’re never asked while driving.
  3. 3Laps, timed retroactivelyLaps you drove before confirming are timed from the recorded trace, so you don’t lose your first session.
  4. 4Go furtherSync a GoPro for video with telemetry and let TRACK Engineer point out where the time is. External 10–25 Hz GPS receivers for tighter sectors are awaiting hardware validation.
  5. Venue and layout detection is tested on simulated drives over real OpenStreetMap circuits, not yet in a real car. Compatible GPS receivers

08Plan your trip

Getting there, staying, eating.

Fly in
  • GSOPiedmont Triad International Airport (Greensboro, NC)Roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car. The track lists Greensboro at about an hour.
  • RDURaleigh-Durham International AirportRoughly 1.25 to 1.75 hours by car. The track lists Durham at about an hour and Raleigh at about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Arriving

VIR is on Pine Tree Road in Alton, Virginia, about 12 miles east of Danville and right on the North Carolina line. The track's directions from the Raleigh-Durham area head north via US 501 through Roxboro and then NC 57, and from Greensboro via US 29 north toward Danville. Airport drive times here are estimates, so check a map app.

Drive times are approximate.

Nearby places for VIR haven’t been loaded yet.

09Track days

Find an open track day at VIR.

Open track days & HPDEHPDE events on MotorsportRegWe couldn’t match VIR to a MotorsportReg venue page yet. Search MotorsportReg’s HPDE calendar by location.See events ↗
Calendar on this pageComing soon

TRACK doesn’t copy event listings. An on-page calendar will come with an organizer data partnership.

Run events here? TRACK for organizers

10Nearby tracks

Closest mapped venues.

Straight-line distance between venues. All 96 tracks

FAQ

VIR, answered.

How long is the VIR Full Course?

VIR publishes the Full Course as 3.27 miles (5.26 km). The Grand Course is listed at 4.20 miles, and the North, South and Patriot courses are shorter layouts.

How many turns does VIR have?

The Full Course has 17 numbered turns, and several are split into a/b parts, such as 4a/4b, 8a/8b and 16a/16b.

Which way does VIR run?

The Full Course runs clockwise.

When was VIR last repaved?

The Full Course was repaved and widened in several places before the 2014 season, the first full repave since 1999. No later full repave was found.

Is the oak tree at Oak Tree still there?

No. The old oak at the apex of the turn fell in July 2013, but Turn 12 is still called Oak Tree.

Can I stay at the track?

Yes. VIR has an on-site hotel (The Lodge), Pit Lane Suites, the Villas at South Bend, and camping. Check availability directly with the venue.

Is VIR good for a first track day?

Yes, with an instructor. It is challenging, with blind crests, fast corners and linked complexes. Build speed gradually, follow your event's passing rules, and give South Bend and the Esses plenty of respect.

How long is VIR?

OpenStreetMap maps 4 closed loops at Virginia International Raceway, from 1.64 mi to 4.14 mi (6.67 km). These are mapped centerline lengths; the venue’s published figures can differ slightly.

How much elevation change is there at VIR?

About 128 ft (39 m) between the lowest and highest points of the virginia international raceway full course with pit lane layout, from USGS 3DEP elevation data sampled every 25 m. The steepest stretch is around 8%.

Which direction does VIR run?

The main mapped layout runs clockwise, from one-way tagging in OpenStreetMap. Check the event’s driver briefing: some venues run reverse-direction days.

Can I time laps at VIR with my phone?

Yes, with the TRACK iPhone app (beta). It recognises VIR and the layout you’re driving from GPS, then times laps and sectors. A phone’s GPS is good for lap times; an external 10–25 Hz receiver tightens sector splits.

Where is the start/finish line at VIR?

TRACK estimates the line from the mapped geometry (usually beside the pit lane, or on the longest straight). It isn’t verified on site, so the app asks you to confirm or move it before timing your first session here.

Sources

Where this comes from.

Researched 2026-10-18 and written in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it.

  1. 1.Virginia International Raceway · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10-18
  2. 2.Configurations & Maps · Virginia International Raceway (virnow.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  3. 3.VIR Turn by Turn (2019) · Northern New Jersey Region, Porsche Club of America · accessed 2026-10-18
  4. 4.VIR Full track guide · Race & Track Driving (racetrackdriving.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  5. 5.VIR Full - Turn by Turn · Paddock Pal · accessed 2026-10-18
  6. 6.TUDOR, K&N Series Highlight VIR Schedule · Performance Racing Industry · accessed 2026-10-18
  7. 7.Virginia International Raceway track guide map · Paradigm Shift Racing · accessed 2026-10-18
  8. 8.Virginia International Raceway Famous Oak Tree Falls · AutoGuide · accessed 2026-10-18
  9. 9.Policies · Virginia International Raceway (virnow.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  10. 10.Fuel policy · Virginia International Raceway (virnow.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  11. 11.Lodging · Virginia International Raceway (virnow.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  12. 12.Directions · Virginia International Raceway (virnow.com) · accessed 2026-10-18
  13. 13.Simple "Horseshoe," except when slick · technocomplex (Substack) · accessed 2026-10-18
  14. 14.Danville, Virginia (Climate section) · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10-18
  15. 15.Virginia International Raceway circuit geometry and corner names · OpenStreetMap contributors · accessed 2026-10-18
What we couldn’t verify (9)
  • Turn directions for 5b and 6b, and to some extent 5a, are inferred from club line descriptions and OpenStreetMap geometry rather than an official map that labels directions.
  • The name Left Hook for Turn 4a comes from OpenStreetMap corner labels and a manufacturer race preview that I could not fully load. No official VIR source confirming it was found.
  • The exact turns covered by Snake (OpenStreetMap puts the label near 5a and the club guide applies it to 5b-6b), Roller Coaster (13-15 in the club guide, with some sources naming 14 alone) and Hog Pen (16a-17, with some sources naming 17 alone) varies by source.
  • Elevation tags for Turns 2, 3, 5a-6b, 9 and 17 were not stated by sources and are left null.
  • No published VIR decibel limit was found. Organizers may set their own.
  • Turn count: Wikipedia gives 17, and some lap-timing databases list 18. VIR's own configurations page gives no count.
  • No information was found on any repave after 2014. The post-2014 surface condition was not verified.
  • Airport drive times are estimates based on VIR's city drive times and route-planner figures, not measured from the airports.
  • Mapped OSM Full Course length (5,259 m) is slightly shorter than the published 3.27 mi (about 5,262 m).

Track geometry and nearby places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License 1.0 (via the TRACK Atlas, snapshot 2026-10-17). Elevation: USGS 3DEP (public domain). Lengths are mapped centerlines, not official figures. The computed line and speed trace are a model. No start/finish line has been verified on site.

TRACK is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virginia International Raceway, MotorsportReg or any business listed here. The venue name identifies the location only and belongs to its owner. TRACK shows no lap records or official results for this venue. Driving advice is general: your instructor, the event’s rules and the venue’s rules come first.