VIR | Virginia International Raceway

VIR at a glance

• Location: Alton, Virginia, near Danville and the North Carolina border
• Address: 1245 Pine Tree Road, Alton, VA 24520
• Configuration: Full Course, 3.27 miles and 17 turns
• Opened: 1957; reopened in 2000
• Track maps: Official configurations and maps

About the track

VIR spreads a lap across rolling countryside, with long straights, climbing esses, and a downhill return toward the front straight. Its Full Course is the layout most visitors recognize from sports-car racing: a circuit where the landscape helps define the corners.

The names are useful landmarks when learning your way around. Look for the Climbing Esses, Oak Tree, Roller Coaster, and Hog Pen on the map, then follow how those sections connect in the onboard video. A map gives you the sequence; the onboard view makes the changes in elevation and sightlines much easier to understand.

This guide covers the Full Course. VIR also offers North, South, Patriot, and Grand configurations. Check your event listing before studying a lap: a guide to the Full Course will not show every section used on the other layouts. The official configuration page is the reference for choosing the right map.

A little history

VIR opened in 1957, closed in 1974, and returned to operation in 2000. That long interruption is part of what makes its story unusual: the revival preserved a historic racing venue while adding the facilities of a motorsport resort. Today, racing shares the property with lodging and other visitor amenities. Read the official history for the story of its early years and restoration.

What runs here

• Professional racing: The IMSA Michelin GT Challenge is a major spectator weekend.
• Amateur racing: Club and endurance events give racers opportunities beyond the professional calendar.
• HPDE and club driving: Visiting organizations rent the circuit for instruction and open lapping.
• Member driving and special events: VIR Club days and charity laps offer different ways to experience the facility.

Use VIR’s track calendar for driving dates and its spectator events for race weekends. Confirm the configuration and driver eligibility with the organizer.

Watch a track guide

Watch: How to Drive Faster at Virginia International Raceway — Grassroots Motorsports

GRM’s VIR tutorial is a starting point for studying the circuit alongside the Full Course map. Watch first for the corner sequence and changes in elevation, then revisit individual sections as you become familiar with the layout. Use your instructor and event briefing for current procedures.

Plan your visit

VIR is a rural destination, so arrange accommodation and meals before the weekend. The circuit offers on-site lodging including the Lodge, Pit Lane Suites, and Villas, alongside camping options. Confirm availability and access for your particular event.

Find dates in the Hot Lap Rentals calendar, or browse cars listed for VIR. Confirm the car, course configuration, and event date directly with the provider.