Tomas Scheckter's eyes widen at the mention of 'The Boot', 'The Loop' and 'The Chute' at Watkins Glen International, where the IndyCar Series driver will compete this weekend in the inaugural Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix presented by Argent Mortgage source: paddocktalk.com To the South African whose father, Jody, made his Formula One debut at The Glen in 1972 with McLaren (ninth place after spinning out), the sections of the historic natural terrain road course are to be revered. Eleven turns with a variety of banking (6 to 10 degrees) and width (36 to 48 feet) comprise the 3.37-mile long course to challenge both driver and race engineer. IndyCar Series cars will run clockwise on the undulating track. "It's demanding on the driver, but again there are straightaways that give the driver a little bit of a break," said Scheckter, driver of the No. 4 Pennzoil Panther Racing Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone. "It's super-flowing, up and down and a good driver's track." TOMAS SCHECKTER'S VIRTUAL LAP: "Going into Turn One ('The Ninety'), it's a second and third gear corner. It has some concrete on the inside, so you want to use that. You can use a little bit of the exit curb for grip. It's then flat out through Turns 2 and 3 and 4 ('The Esses'). The car will bottom a little; it's a great feeling. It's a little like a rollercoaster going all the way up that hill (an 80-foot climb into Turn 4). "It's flat out all the way down turning into the chicane. It's a great corner where you can use some of the curb through there and carry a lot more speed than you think you can.
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