Watch for deer. This past weekend I scored my second hit without a confimed kill.
I was in excess of 100 between 9 and 10 when the critter decided there was more grass on the other side of the track. Took out her legs with the bumper and she hit the hood creating a big sitz mark. and according to observers went 10 feet in the air over the roof of car, before landing on her side in the middle of the track. She hopped up and made her way to the woods on three legs. I was abeam pit entrance and entered. Fortunately the only damage is a crumpled hood (most of it popped out) and a slightly flat spotted R888.
The deer population at SPR is apalling. Statistically, it shows that any single day we put 100 cars on the track, we should hit two deer. If we take a deeper look at the statistics we would probably find a higher probability during certain seasons. We could almost completely eleminate the lower run groups, slower speeds and two sets of eyes probably help.
Consider that some of the tracks I frequent are also in rural areas with large deer populations. Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen, and VIR. Since 2004 I have been a Chief Instructor or DE Chair and have not had a deer related incident at another track. Even the Shenandoah Circuit is better, probably because there is no infield. The deer at Summit are also particularly ignorant and have established crossing zones in all the fastest sections. End of the main straight, before the braking zone, (a lesser crossing zone between 2 & 3); between 3&4 and down the chute; between 9 & 10 just after the bridge (blind and fast). They don't cross between 5 & 9.
Turkeys are also very popular this time of year and there were many sightings between 2 & 3 (track right).
I just went on our site to collect some more data, of course it is somewhat selective; because I only selected drivers with confirmed kills. Confirmed kills equal big dollar repairs. One with two kills and 53 days at SPR; the other with one kill in 35 days. Both are also upper run group drivers.