Yep. I thought I had tested the updated configuration with that setting enabled, but when I went back to check it hadn't taken. Trying again lead to a hang.
Given that Fuzo's Lausitzring has the same issue, and enough people seem to have the option checked by default, I may give up on the animated wind turbines to keep issues to a minimum.
I don't think you should gimp your track due to what's a non default optimization (for good reason) and listed as "experimental" that has always lead to occasional issues here and there. But then users still insist on enabling it despite minimal gains, or because of recommendations without warning so they can't remember to uncheck it when something's not right before leaving 1 star reviews.
Unfortunately it seems like slapping all meshes to both exclusions on the config isn't enough to prevent the loading crash with the merge meshes option enabled.
Edit: I've noticed that another track with animated turbines loads without issues with this optimization. The turbine kn5s for animation are a on separate file loaded only via extension, but animated the same way. You could try if that's enough, as it might skip their mesh merging during loading. So, the main track kn5 only has a single object with turbines (base+blades) for legacy usage with other names, then the config hides them, and insert the kn5 with new separate stem+blades for animation at the same spot.
Edit2: There's no need for this, please see my post bellow. Just having the turbines on another file for loading under models.ini seems enough.
On topic and regarding this track. Thanks for your work on this, has a nice flow and looks incredible for a "0.2". It might be a bit too wide in general, specially if not for very fast racing machinery to make it more scary, but if you slap a 90s sports road car grid you can get that "Gran Turismo" experience, with lots of road to spare for small mistakes.
There are a few somethings that could have some review, take them with a grain of salt as this is just a personal opinion:
This large tree bent to the left is very easy to memorize visually after being seen alone, so every time it pops up again, specially in groups, the repetition is very noticeable.
On this corner to the left, the profile orientation of a far treewall doesn't look right, seems to miss one face pointed to the track to disguise it. There are a few other spots like, but maybe not so noticeable
The curb zones being numerous and very long, and without some sort of a more irregular transition to grass or weathering to break this pattern, can become visually monotonous and a bit unnatural.
Cheers
edited: More info about loading turbines, and hopefully a bit more polite on the leading ot. Now a another bit more so.