Topic: Building a race track

[Rooster]

Tim, you really should give Kerry a call about the fencing. He will be able to give you the appropriate guidance on that.

If you ask me, I would say there needs to be another fence between the track and even a single strand of barbed wire. I don't even like barbless fence wire. The problem is that single strand wire too easily finds itself in between the helmet and neck brace, or wrapped around a leg, etc.
Some tracks will weave a strand of barbless into the top and bottom of field fencing to add strength, that is fine as long as it is woven in and cannot wrap a driver up.

[48dodger]

Some of you have said its to long......why?

Tough on the gearing? racing isn't tight enough? Or is it not as fun as a shorter track from a drivers standpoint?

...you could almost make a shorter turn at one end and have two tracks,one long and one short...

Yah...That was what I was trying to say in my last post.
"I am putting a second set of turns on the pointy side for a "smaller" oval track. That should be about a 500 plus centerline".....you just said it better than I did. lol.

~T

[Burton for Certain]

Long is fast and fun but really long is hard on motors. And the longer the straights usually the higher horsepower motors pull away and racing isn't as close.

[The Tank]

Some of you have said its to long......why?

Tough on the gearing? racing isn't tight enough? Or is it not as fun as a shorter track from a drivers standpoint?

Yah...That was what I was trying to say in my last post.
"I am putting a second set of turns on the pointy side for a "smaller" oval track. That should be about a 500 plus centerline".....you just said it better than I did. lol.

~T

Too long of a track and speeds really pick up to the point if someone makes a mistake, more than likely someone is getting badly hurt. Remember this is open wheel racing so on most impacts you are coming from the mower. I've been on a 1/8 track and that's plenty fast enough. Anything much bigger than that the speeds are getting too dangerous. Shorter track=closer racing but slower speeds.

[48dodger]

Hey Rooster,

My plan is to "find" the layout that most drivers like/want....then present a fence plan to the USLMRA before I start slamming in T-posts. I think you are right about who to contact. Kerry is on the track facebook page, so I'll send him a message when I have all my thoughts figured out. As far as the the fence, LC is right about the habits of cows....infact if I did have just field fencing on that side, and they broke through, it wouldn't be the end of the world. They would only be in the track area, not on the road, etc....so again, thanks for helping me think things through.

~T      

Too long of a track and speeds really pick up to the point if someone makes a mistake, more than likely someone is getting badly hurt. Remember this is open wheel racing so on most impacts you are coming from the mower. I've been on a 1/8 track and that's plenty fast enough. Anything much bigger than that the speeds are getting too dangerous. Shorter track=closer racing but slower speeds.

Maybe the track looks bigger than it really is? The ouside lane measures about 880, the inside is about 1/8 of mile...in the photo I posted the width is only about 20 feet. I've cut inward since, to make it wider, just over 30 feet.

~T   

[Rooster]

I like the different turns as well, personally I get tired of the same basic ovals.
Throw a right or 4 in there some where!

[The Tank]

Maybe the track looks bigger than it really is? The ouside lane measures about 880, the inside is about 1/8 of mile...in the photo I posted the width is only about 20 feet. I've cut inward since, to make it wider, just over 30 feet.

~T   

You are doing a good thing making it wider. Not only does it make for more side by side action but allows room for other drivers should someone make a mistake. I'm only speaking from a drivers point of view. I'm definitely not a track layout specialist or

[48dodger]

Think I'll measure it up this weekend as a 35 plus foot wide track and see how that looks....that might "shorten" it up enough to make both camps happy, maybe safer, and easier on the gears.....

~T

[foolnhismoney]

We just finished The ARMA Points race here in Rochester fairgrounds in New Hampshire. Every racer there was very happy with the track and it only had 100' straights. There was to grooves taking rubber in the turns that is what made it fun. You could be on the outside and not be at a disadvantage. Sometimes its not the length of track but how well the surface works for what you are racing. Our track was 450' around second groove and everyone in attendence loved it even if it was short. I don't know of any total engine failures at all. When you get on big tracks people will miss the gear setup and blow stuff up and they won't come back. My 

[48dodger]

Ok....we've begun to widen the track inward to 35 feet and bank it....looks to be a great idea.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElXnBVdqIg8&feature=plcp

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.379032038826185.88969.369309276465128&type=3

~Tim

[48dodger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J98wzlQwHuI&feature=share


Here's a closer look at where we're at.....any thoughts on the size? Still seem to big???

~T

[big jerm]

Your gonna need a 2 gallon gas tank. With pit stops...

[anzadon]

I LIKE IT! Plan on making the 400 mile trip to run it. When are you gonna start racing?

[48dodger]

Hopfully the first REAL race will be in the spring.....other than that, I hope to have something put together after the fences are in....which should be the fall. Since the track is located in the central valley (California) the weather should still be reliable until mid November.

~T