From the far left at Turn 9's exit, the line crosses over to the wall under the starter's stand on the right (click picture), then back to left-hand Turn 1 the beginning of which we see at the upper left.

Past that Turn One apex and over the tunnel, with the merge visible at right, we can see to Turn Two and beyond, to the tower. The tower was at Start-Finish early in RIR's history, having begun its career as the control tower at LA International Airport. I understand the tower provided a good view of the track.

There it is, the Turn Two apex. The anguish isn't over, though: we're still going pretty fast and on the edge of traction, and have to bend in to the right to make Turn 3 without contributing to the topography outside the turn.

Turning in at Turn 4. In a car with some accelleration potential this is another Turn 2, apprehension-wise. The Vega scrubbed off enough speed in Two and Three that it was just fun, and a challenge to lose as little momentum as possible, conserving it for the run down to 5.

Click here to see the Vega Wagon on RIR

Up a noticeable rise to its apex, just out of sight around the Armco, with the merge from pit lane at right, where it interfered with the line of only faster cars.

For me, this was the high point of every lap: my car was going nearly as fast as it could; the road disappeared around a hill; what I saw ahead was dirt rutted and scarred by the wheels and rollbars of those who had miscalculated; I had verified by experience an instructor's assertion that the surface could "...turn slicker'n snot with no warning."

That little lump in the edge of the pavement at left is Turn 3. By this point you have a good sense of whether you are going to make it or go out there and get one of those brown-dust suits I've seen drivers wearing at RIR.

No sooner out of Four than we see the
prospect of a real challenge: the Five-Six
complex coming up. Five isn't much of a "turn"
in a Vega, but it does make setting up for Six
a little more problematic. Turn Six grandstand
visible at upper left.