In terms of motorsport, the United States has long had the reputation of being the country of oval circuits, whether asphalt or dirt tracks. This well-deserved reputation, however, hides a reality that few people know. The USA and North America in general host the most classic road courses in the world, and not just because it's a continent, because even compared to continental Europe as a whole, the USA alone remains ahead.
By classic circuits, we are talking not only about old circuits still active, but which have remained as they were originally, or at least as they were 40 or 30 years ago. Their layout, the safety equipements along the track as well as their immediate environment, everything is almost faithful to their History. No tarmac run-offs or artificial chicanes has come to transfigure them.
It's a bit of a paradise for historic races and those nostalgic for the good old days. We can even say without hesitation that these circuits have improved over time. The rustic side of the infrastructure has given way to real, more modern buildings that however respects the surrounding environment. Everything is cleaner and much better maintained than in the past, including the natural surroundings.
Most of these circuits are the setting for national and club races. Even when they host competitions of the level of Indycar and IMSA, this has not forced them to abandon their soul and has in no way disfigured them as is the case with the European circuits which can no longer host FIA international races without having to undergo mutilations as cosmetic surgery.
In fact, the best thing to do to keep their souls to the classic and legendary European circuits would be to keep them away from high-level competitions. Particularly from F1. We see the harm that the latter has caused to monuments such as Silverstone, Paul-Ricard, Monza, Imola, Zeltweg, Zandvoort... and especially Hockenheim. Maybe shall we ask for the registration of classic racing tracks in the Common Heritage of Mankind list... seriously!
Anyway, here is a Top 20 of the North American road circuits:
20 - Laguna seca
19 - Mosport
18 - Pacific Raceway
17 - Buttonwillow
16 - Austin
15 - Cleveland (Burk Lakefront)
14 - Waterford Hills
13 - Nelson Ledges
12 - Blackhawk Farms
11 - Summit point
10 - Watkins Glen
9 - Riverside
8 - Sonoma Infineon raceway
7 - Road Atlanta
6 - Sebring
5 - Lexington (Mid-Ohio)
4 - Virginia IR
3 - Alabama - Barber Motorsports Park
2 - Mont-Tremblant ( St-Jovite )
1 - Elkhart lake ( Road America )
