Post by speedway_history on Aug 29, 2008 11:04:19 GMT 1
Something a little different. With thanks to Bob Ellis at Ipswich for the following, and to Badge for helping facilitate this interview.
1..What are the basic materials used for a track, and how do they vary across different tracks?
Tracks use a shale with a grit content 6m to dust plus clay added at the percentage you ask for. Some have 50/50 mix, others 60/40, we at Ipswich have 25clay/75 shale. Every track is different to how quick it dries/drains. You get to know your own track so you prepare accordingly for depth.
2..What is involved when preparing for a typical league meeting?
Friday morning, after our meeting on Thursday evening, I usually soak the riding line with the sprayer first. Then put more fresh shale on outside of the bends where the shale has built up. Then I run the blade round bringing the shale down to just above the riding line, then move it out again to give it a good mix up. When the riding line is tacky I then bring the shale down over it and level it out with the grader, and make sure its not too deep entering the corners. Tyre pack down. If stock cars on Sat/Sun tyre pack extra hard. Monday will grade track after stock cars. Thursday I will start watering at 7:30 am if it is hot, and will not stop all day. If rain is forecast that week I will prepare the track accordingly and tyre pack really hard so that the water will run off and drain.
3..How do you maintain a track's performance during a meeting?
During the meeting if you have done your job right there will be no dust (daylight meetings are a nightmare especially if the sun shines and the wind blows, the track dries out very quickly.) You must not let the shale burm up, so run a grader round to keep it level. Once the bikes start moving keep an eye on it because it will dry out.
4..What input do the riders have in determining track preparation?
You have to listen to the riders, after all they are the ones racing on it, but I prepare the track as safe and smooth as I can to give them a good surface to race on.
5..What are the various effects weather has on a track?
If the track is too wet riders will loose their front wheel entering corners, plus visability will be impared, and does not make for very good racing. Sawdust is a quick fix and will dry the track but makes track heavy so that the riders have difficulty in turning. Plus when you re-lay track (after sawdust has been put down) for the next meeting it does not pack down good and you end up with little holes in the track.
6..Are track covers feasible, and if not, why not?
We have tried covers at Ipswich but do not like them. You have to water the track before you put the covers down - if not, when you take them up on the evening of the meeting, the track is too dry and you cannot get enough water into the track in that short time; it just lays on top. The covers also make the track sweat and turn slimy, and if any water gets under the covers it will be patchy and make the track ride bumpy.
7..What, in your opinion, gives the best surface for good racing?
In my opinion the best surface to race on is, nice smooth base with 50m of shale with a percentage of clay, evenly watered and lightly tyre packed.
1..What are the basic materials used for a track, and how do they vary across different tracks?
Tracks use a shale with a grit content 6m to dust plus clay added at the percentage you ask for. Some have 50/50 mix, others 60/40, we at Ipswich have 25clay/75 shale. Every track is different to how quick it dries/drains. You get to know your own track so you prepare accordingly for depth.
2..What is involved when preparing for a typical league meeting?
Friday morning, after our meeting on Thursday evening, I usually soak the riding line with the sprayer first. Then put more fresh shale on outside of the bends where the shale has built up. Then I run the blade round bringing the shale down to just above the riding line, then move it out again to give it a good mix up. When the riding line is tacky I then bring the shale down over it and level it out with the grader, and make sure its not too deep entering the corners. Tyre pack down. If stock cars on Sat/Sun tyre pack extra hard. Monday will grade track after stock cars. Thursday I will start watering at 7:30 am if it is hot, and will not stop all day. If rain is forecast that week I will prepare the track accordingly and tyre pack really hard so that the water will run off and drain.
3..How do you maintain a track's performance during a meeting?
During the meeting if you have done your job right there will be no dust (daylight meetings are a nightmare especially if the sun shines and the wind blows, the track dries out very quickly.) You must not let the shale burm up, so run a grader round to keep it level. Once the bikes start moving keep an eye on it because it will dry out.
4..What input do the riders have in determining track preparation?
You have to listen to the riders, after all they are the ones racing on it, but I prepare the track as safe and smooth as I can to give them a good surface to race on.
5..What are the various effects weather has on a track?
If the track is too wet riders will loose their front wheel entering corners, plus visability will be impared, and does not make for very good racing. Sawdust is a quick fix and will dry the track but makes track heavy so that the riders have difficulty in turning. Plus when you re-lay track (after sawdust has been put down) for the next meeting it does not pack down good and you end up with little holes in the track.
6..Are track covers feasible, and if not, why not?
We have tried covers at Ipswich but do not like them. You have to water the track before you put the covers down - if not, when you take them up on the evening of the meeting, the track is too dry and you cannot get enough water into the track in that short time; it just lays on top. The covers also make the track sweat and turn slimy, and if any water gets under the covers it will be patchy and make the track ride bumpy.
7..What, in your opinion, gives the best surface for good racing?
In my opinion the best surface to race on is, nice smooth base with 50m of shale with a percentage of clay, evenly watered and lightly tyre packed.