One very good reason is the track is a better race track with the longer straight. In the club configuration, it's more of a lapping track.
Having that straight be that much longer facilitates passes set up out of turn 1. I know I had passes set up, and was 1/3 alongside cars on multiple occasions that couldn't be completed going into the chicane thing there a half dozen times. Having just 300 feet more track would have been sweet.
Since racing is what we're there to do, it makes sense to add a possible passing section.
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