If so, how are the cars set up to deal with the slippery surfaces -- especially during rain. How would track operators deal with the interruptions to their service? (I doubt that anyone wants real trains or trams on those tracks during a race.)

What got me thinking about it was that I was thinking of what a street course in downtown San Francisco would be like. I was imagining the track including Lombard, the twistiest street in the US, only to remember the street car tracks.

The one that comes to mind is the San Jose street course Champ Car was running the past few years.

The first year they raced there, the cars would cross railroad tracks and literally launch into the air. Youtube it. I'm sure you could find something.

Will Pittenger - 08 July 2008 11:02 PM

I was imagining the track including Lombard, the twistiest street in the US....

Why would you want to include that for the track? It wouldn't make for ANY racing....

Alls I can think of is San Jose Champ Car.

But as for San Fransisco, it would never happen. The city is way to liberal. There used to be a race there back in the 50s, I think is was. It took place on a wonderful track in the Golden Gate Park. It only lasted 3 years and then evirowackos kicked the race out.

The yump over the light rail tracks in San Jose was only a feature of the first race in 2005. By 2006 they smoothed the transition between the street and the tracks and the rails were hardly noticeable. And amazingly, the track produced decent racing action in the 2007 edition. But San Jose wouldn't have been part of the 2008 schedule if Champ Car hadn't imploded anyhow.

i remember that first sanjose race well. I still have it in my library, have to watch it again tonight. I think that is the race where almindinger was crying after one of his many wrecks but I'm not sure, maybe it was the next race in edmonton.


david

The Isle of Man TT Mountain Course crosses tram lines at the Bungalow corner (I think) on the way up the mountain.