Sundowner 23
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 23; Flight Crew Total 241; Flight Crew Type 241
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Tower had asked my enroute heading which I responded 359 I was given clearance to depart on Runway 22 and right turn onto heading approved. A Lear had taken off in front of me and there was a King Air waiting behind me. When I took the runway I was surprised the Tower had cleared me for a right turn onto heading; I had anticipated a climbing left turn back over the center of the airport and departing the area in a more traditional manner due the fact that the Talladega Super Speedway is right off the end of the runway to the right.As I rotated off Runway 22 I realized I was going to have to climb at Vx [best angle of climb airspeed] to gain enough altitude to safely make my right turn without going over the Speedway filled with spectators. At approximately 400 AGL I started my right hand turn and safely completed the turn at approximately 500 AGL at which time the Tower called out helicopter traffic at my one o'clock. I responded that I had the traffic insight and it would be no factor. However I did pass by the traffic closer than I would have liked; approximately 300 feet and at the same altitude.I realized after I was clear of the event and well on my destination that I had allowed the presence of a faster plane behind me to affect my decision. I now know that I should have climbed out at Vy [best rate of climb airspeed] as normal; stayed on runway heading until clear of the Talladega Super Speedway to the west then made a normal right hand turn to heading. Neither the Tower nor the King Air had said anything about expediting my departure. This was simply pressure I had put on myself and cause me to make a poor decision and could have had devastating results.In the future I know I have to fly to my and my plane's abilities and not allow other situations affect my decisions.
A pilot of a BE-23; departing Runway 22 at ASN (utilizing a temporary control tower facility provided during a major car race at a track immediately adjacent to the airport) was placed in a conundrum when the tower cleared him via a right turn on course to the north which would have placed him over the crowded race track and thousands of spectators.  A modest conflict with a helicopter in the vicinity resulted.