Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2018 18:22:55 GMT 12
The most complicated, least understood, and complained about subject in relation to some open wheel dirt tracks, particularly Western Springs..is the track surface itself!
The purpose of this thread is to encourage input from posters to see if we can get to a deeper understanding of what the problem really is, and more importantly hopefully help contribute to a practical solution.
To get things rolling below are a few comment I have picked up from reading some US articles on the topic. Later I will add my 2 cents worth as to why I believe the current WS track surface is such a shambles.
Also interested to hear what specifically tracks like Ruapuna and Cromwell are doing different to apparently get the track right for good racing....
A good open wheel racetrack is one that allows racing with a lot of passing. There are dry slick tracks and tacky-heavy tracks that are racy. How to get to that point depends on several factors. Track layout, soil type, weather patterns and the type of cars racing are all major considerations in preparing a track’s surface for racing.
Clay acts like a sponge. It absorbs water and expands. Then when it dries out, the surface develops cracks that can pose a problem in preparation. Too much clay is as bad as too little.
The track surface needs a certain amount of aggregate in the soil for bonding and moisture retention. A good track surface will have a high aggregate level, somewhere around 25% to 30%.
To combat issues like an abrasive sandy track, drivers tend to use harder compound tires at tracks where these conditions exist. A lot of sand in the soil can act like sandpaper to the tires and the track may rubber up.
Controlling the amount of traction in the racing surface comes down to controlling the moisture content.
One thing is certain about the dirt in dirt tracks; there are so many variables that it would take a full encyclopedia to cover it all. It takes years of experience to find the balance and nuances of maintaining a race track surface.
There’s no real way to control the moisture in the track, because there are so many variables, such as humidity, rainfall, sun or wind.
A good track man will read the signs and compensate for the conditions. He also needs to pay attention to where the sun’s path crosses the track at different seasons and what happens when the winds change directions. Each of these conditions affects the track in different ways.
Sun and wind evaporates the moisture, rainfall adds additional moisture content to the soil. The track man adjusts this to the best of his ability by controlling the only element that they can, which is the amount of water they put on the track.
Too much water causes problems, especially with high powered sprint cars. If you have a track with too much water deeper in the track, sprint car tires will dig at dirt until the track gets rutted up. Too little water causes a dry-slick or one line racing surface, which can become dusty and very unfriendly to fans watching the racing.
Open wheeler s cause a track to dry out faster because of all the turbulence created under the car. You also have to consider the tires in each division. Narrow tires can dig in and fluff up the track where the sprint cars use wide tires that tend to rubber up or polish up parts of the track.
The purpose of this thread is to encourage input from posters to see if we can get to a deeper understanding of what the problem really is, and more importantly hopefully help contribute to a practical solution.
To get things rolling below are a few comment I have picked up from reading some US articles on the topic. Later I will add my 2 cents worth as to why I believe the current WS track surface is such a shambles.
Also interested to hear what specifically tracks like Ruapuna and Cromwell are doing different to apparently get the track right for good racing....
A good open wheel racetrack is one that allows racing with a lot of passing. There are dry slick tracks and tacky-heavy tracks that are racy. How to get to that point depends on several factors. Track layout, soil type, weather patterns and the type of cars racing are all major considerations in preparing a track’s surface for racing.
Clay acts like a sponge. It absorbs water and expands. Then when it dries out, the surface develops cracks that can pose a problem in preparation. Too much clay is as bad as too little.
The track surface needs a certain amount of aggregate in the soil for bonding and moisture retention. A good track surface will have a high aggregate level, somewhere around 25% to 30%.
To combat issues like an abrasive sandy track, drivers tend to use harder compound tires at tracks where these conditions exist. A lot of sand in the soil can act like sandpaper to the tires and the track may rubber up.
Controlling the amount of traction in the racing surface comes down to controlling the moisture content.
One thing is certain about the dirt in dirt tracks; there are so many variables that it would take a full encyclopedia to cover it all. It takes years of experience to find the balance and nuances of maintaining a race track surface.
There’s no real way to control the moisture in the track, because there are so many variables, such as humidity, rainfall, sun or wind.
A good track man will read the signs and compensate for the conditions. He also needs to pay attention to where the sun’s path crosses the track at different seasons and what happens when the winds change directions. Each of these conditions affects the track in different ways.
Sun and wind evaporates the moisture, rainfall adds additional moisture content to the soil. The track man adjusts this to the best of his ability by controlling the only element that they can, which is the amount of water they put on the track.
Too much water causes problems, especially with high powered sprint cars. If you have a track with too much water deeper in the track, sprint car tires will dig at dirt until the track gets rutted up. Too little water causes a dry-slick or one line racing surface, which can become dusty and very unfriendly to fans watching the racing.
Open wheeler s cause a track to dry out faster because of all the turbulence created under the car. You also have to consider the tires in each division. Narrow tires can dig in and fluff up the track where the sprint cars use wide tires that tend to rubber up or polish up parts of the track.
clay was trucked in from twilight road in Clevedon by Monier to replace the old crap full of P metal and burnt rubber the list goes on 
