Racing heaven; An enthusiast's country club.(Virginia International Raceway)(Brief Article)

The Dodgers are often recognized as the class organization of professional baseball. If so, that's where the management of Virginia International Raceway (VIR) must have studied facility operation. Reopened in March, the 3.27-mile road course hugs the blue-green hills of south-central Virginia, exuding a class not often found in today's world of billboard-plated speedways.

``I built this place because my wife hates racing,'' said Harvey Segal, co-developer and owner of the track. ``I can race, while my wife enjoys the club.''

Segal and his business partner, Connie Nyholm, have big plans for that club. Already completed are a restaurant, souvenir shop, tree-dotted picnic areas, lighted paths, and all the accoutrements of a major track including three courses, two pit areas and spanking new timing, press and VIP spectator buildings. A clubhouse-cornerstoned on a renovated 18th century plantation-features a pool and tennis courts. Motel and condos are planned over the next few years. As the VIR logo says, the track is ``Fun, Fast and World Class.''

The moniker was an apt description of the club's second annual homecoming June 8-10. The weekend featured the Gold Cup Historic Races, grand marshal Carroll Shelby and the legendary Bob Bondurant. Shelby-VIR's first feature race winner in 1957-recounted how cresting the rise at start/finish lifted his Cobra's inside front wheel. After seeing the tire float a hand width above the asphalt, the starter left his foot on the track. Shelby flew over it and the fans ...