The time is just around the corner to kick off the 2007 DIRT Season. But, before we can get the first night of racing under way we have the following ambitious work to transform the ole race-way into a state of the art racing complex:

Remove existing Big Track turn 3 & 4 walls
Remove existing Short Track turn 3 & 4 walls
Move existing turn 3 & 4 clay onto new track area to form base
Install infield Drainage

Turns 1-2 catch basin
Turns 3-4 catch basin
Under Drivers-stand catch-basin
Center of infield collection drum with cover
Drain under back stretch
Powered pump for those cloud bursts

Install Sprinkler System


Zoned spray nozzles in the infield

Build 4 new pit tables


1 next to hobby shop
3 to be located where existing turn 3 & 4 are

Re-work electrical system


Install new outdoor beaker box
Install new Street Light in new Turns 3 & 4
Individual circuits for table groups, lights and computer
Install electrical outlet in infield

Install new Turn 3 & 4 wall


Turn 4 will be tractor access
Turn 4 will be car on-off area with protective wall

Install new inside curbing


Poured and smoothed concrete, level with track surface for 4”, taper down about two inches to the infield area; self clearing and draining
Painted red and white striped (think racing curbing)

Build Scorers Cart


Hot Dog Cart style, complete with umbrella
In same location as current scoring is done
Permanent wiring for loops, power, speakers, and printer
A-B switch for whichever track is scoring
Hook-up the laptop and go racing
Less than 100 Sq Ft, no building permit required

Spread new clay on the remaining of the surface
Anyone that wants to get a jump on things and get the track shoveled off; go right ahead. The official start of work will be somewhat weather dependant, but I’d say no later than April 7 & 8.


Tentatively we are holding a planning meeting on April 1st at Science and Hobby, to coincide with the last points race of the carpet season. This date will be confirmed later.

In case you haven’t heard we can’t delay getting the track ready as the WDRA is coming to town for a weekend sweep. May 19 & 20 will feature racing at both the new track at Competition and the Pine Bowl.

See Ya………….At The Track

Kirt

PS If you can’t wait, the first WDRA race is in two weeks, 24 March at Radio Hill, check it out on dirtoval.com. I’m planning on making the trek and might need some company.

Kirt - I am actually making the trek out to Radio hill as well, providing I can get a car together in time. However I am going to Syracuse Friday night and driving to Radio Hill on Sat. Morning. I can meet you somewhere in Syracuse off the thruway on Sat., if you want to share some gas or just play Lebanon Valley (follow the leader, lol).

Didn't think I would still be in the area but as it turns out I will be for a little while and can help out with the track. I will try and make the meeting. You can talk to Dan if you want to get a hold of me, he knows how, haha.

Thanks
Steve

Kirt
I am pleased to see you are staying active with the rc racing. Sounds like you are doing a complete rebuild at Competition Hobbies, I hope alot of drivers will be inclined to lend a hand and get it all done. I don't have to preach they make the club, so please do your part and help make it the great club it is. Many hands lighten the load. Do your part.
I myself am trying to get some support on a monthly race here at Team 21 Speedway. I am trying to do a $50 A main win once a month. I am asking for people to let me know if they are interested so I don't waste my time, being it's tied up in the 358 mods. I was wondering if you could help out with the scoreing system ?
This year at Accord we will be running 2 358's. John Jr. will wheel the 2nd car. You know me 1 just isn't enough. More work. and lots more $$$$$$
Bill

Thanks for the plugs Kirt. All the WDRA info can be found here:
http://www.dirtoval.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Hope to see some of the Albany area guys follow the tour this year.

Paul

Weeknights are best for me Kirt...

Count me in for the work Kirk. I cannot wait for warm summer nights and bug spray. Talk to you on the first about things.

-James

Kirt,
Count me in for the work. what time are u planning to get there? Cant wait for dirt season!!!
thanks,
Al Smith

DIRT Planning Meeting

Sunday April 1st
Science & Hobby (Watervliet NY)
Approx 1:00 PM (time may be delayed slightly so as not to conflict with the racing program or the election of Officers)

See Ya.....................At The Track
Kirt

Hi Kirt,
I will be unable to make the meeting on Sunday but will be able to help out with the renovations of the grounds and track. I will check back after the 1st to see what the plans are from the discussion at the meeting.
-Todd

How did everyone make out at Rednecks and K&N this weekend???

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN IF ANYONE IS READY FOR DIRT!!!!!!!!!!! GO TO THE BIG MIKES DIRT OVAL TREAD POST # 438!!!!!!!

BIG MIKE

Sunday, after the meeting we decided what with rain in the forecast for the entire week we should just DO-IT!!!



A hastily organized work party started the reclamation at the Competition Clay Oval.



Grounds are raked of debris

Old Turn 3 & 4 walls and supporting posts are removed

Plastic inside retainer removed

Front walls removed

New Track Layout is staked-out

Drainage locations staked-out

Pit table lumber list created

Drainage parts list created



Next up

Trench the drainage system

Trench the water and electric from the store to the track center

Trench to electrical lights and pit table locations

Procure Lumber

Procure Drainage materials

Layout Electrical and create parts list

See Ya .................... At The Track:thumbsup:
Kirt

Kirt,
Just an idea, what about making a list of little stuff that can be done by maybe 1 or 2 guys that have some time to go to the track for a couple of hours when nobody else can go? Even if it is shoveling material w/out a skidsteer, or digging trenches without a trencher, every little bit will help and make the place that much better. There must be little stuff that guys could do if they had the time and wanted to go up and help out. This way stuff can still get done without a mass coordination for just when the machines are there or when everyone can make it. Then when a task is done, they can just send in a note here saying to check it off or let you know or something.

Also what about using a landscapers level to make sure the pitch is good in the drain lines and then you can use it to make the two corners somewhat similar, if that is what is desired. I am sure someone has a connection to borrow one of those, or even rent one.

Just some thoughts.

Good Idea Steve



Each of the catch basin locations are staked out.

Off-road track

Under the drivers stand

Turn 1

Turn 3

These four outlying ones need to be approx 14” square and 12” deep.



The Off-road basin will pipe through the basin under the drivers stand.

The off-road area between the basin and the outer wall (next to the drivers stand) needs to be dug out next to the wall for 6-8 feet (where the water runs under the wall now). Take one of the blue tarps that are under the drivers stand lay it so it will create a barrier from 12-16” out from the wall, up the wall, and over the wall; fastening the tarp on the back side. Then bury the tarp and create a slope in the track so new run off will enter the catch basin.



The main catch basin in the center needs to be approx 20” diameter and 3 feet deep



Trenches about 6-9” deep and pitched slightly to the center





Drain pipe from each of the outlying basins run unto the center basin



A drain from the main basin runs beyond the track in turn 3, beyond where the flag is marking the location.



The main trench from the Hobby Shop to the center of the track for water and electric will probably need power equipment (or a strong back and a pick axe) as if I remember there is a layer of blacktop under the dirt. But if anyone is willing, go for it.



I will try to have all the drainage material and the lumber for the pit tables delivered this Friday AM. I will be at the track from approx 8-11:30AM if anyone else is available.



See Ya ………….. At The Track

Kirt

What time and when is the next time you are getting together? Give me a time and I will come help as long as you will be there. its a long drive from glens falls

Change in my schedule, what else is new
I'm not making it today as I'll decided to take off for the weekend (one more ski trip ;))

Anyway, I've ordered the lumber for 4 pit tables, conduit and the drainage pipe. It will be delivered Tuesday AM.

Lets schedule a major work weekend next week 14 and 15 April.
I'll rent the trencher, if someone can get there hands on something with a bucket for Sat PM or Sun Am, we'll be in good shape.

Carpetners welcome to build the tables

Post holes to be dug

Walls to be errected

Drain lines, Water pipe and electrical lines to be laid



See Ya.................. At the New Track :thumbsup:
Kirt

If anybody needs a club motor - I have about 20 left. Kurt has ordered another case - but the new ones will be a few dollars more.

- Bob

Bob-sent you a pm but your box is full, please clean it out, lol. I want 2 motors please let me know how I can get them from you. Thanks
Steve

Kirt lumber and pipe is here.

kirt i can make it there sunday if we are still on

Hi Kirt,
What are the plans for this weekend? I am going to try to make it over Saturday but was wondering what time everyone is planning on coming and what is on the agenda.

Thanxs,
Todd

what day of the week do you guy's run? and where is the track located?

thanx

ovalace we race monday nights at competition hobby supplies 1006 loudon road (rt 9) latham NY

I should be there around 10 AM on SAT and will attempt to get the drainage system in

SUN sounds like a rain-out with lots of rain 3/4-1", a good day to watch Texas on TV

Hey Everyone,

If you would, please post the next time you guys are working on the track. I missed the last half of the carpet season because of work, so I'm itchin to get my hands in the dirt, so to speak. :)

Saturday: The small but hearty group got most of the drainage system in place. The four catch basins are placed, the center collection drum installed (less cut-outs for the four pipes) and the outlet pipe all but installed. The work on the off-road section saw the tarp water barrier installed; just some final grading needs to be done to allow the water to better drain to the catch basin instead of under the drivers stand. A small load of crushed stone to back-fill the trenches and they’ll be ready for action.



During the trenching we managed to sever two of the lighting wires, but we are going to re-due them anyway.



New thoughts on the inside curbing for this year; we have a box of new “Dots” from the road rail system. We are going to back fill them with an RTV type material and stake them with landscaping spikes just below the inside edge. No great upset if you bounce the left front across their leading edge, but enough of an up-set if you get the whole car on them and they shouldn’t hook-spin a car like the old plastic lawn edging.



Next Work Dates:



Thursday 19 Apr 5-8 PM

Finish the Drainage



Saturday 21 Apr 9-4

Spread Clay

Build Wall

Build Tables

Wire

Note: We need a clay moving and spreading machine (Bobcat, skid-steer, tractor with buck and back-hoe….something) and we need someone to help arrange it.





Sunday 22 Apr 10-2

More of the same if needed

Groom track surface



Given the weather this week and the work done I don’t see us opening until the 30th, but that’s still only 2 weeks after the snow storm (no too shabby !!)

See Ya................. At The Track :thumbsup:
Kirt

Can anyone tell me what the results of the ELECTION were ?

Hi Kirt,
Looks like the weather is going to be great this weekend. Have you had any luck on finding a tractor/skidsteer to use/rent for Saturday? Let me know if you still need something and I can see what I can do. Also, as far as the Pit tables go... are we leaving the existing ones alone and building new ones? Has anyone came up with a design/plan for the new tables?
Thanks,
Todd

Heavy Equipment: Nothing rented yet for this weekend, I was hoping someone had a line on one or at least get us a cost break. If I don't hear by tomorow I'll rent one (just may need someone with a truck to pull it over)


Pit Tables: Old ones being used, repaired as necessary. Material purchased and on site to duplicate the design for 4 more.

See Ya ........... Tomorrow night ............ At The Track:thumbsup:
Kirt

Kirt call ABLE tractor , ask for Gary Swenson , he might be able to help you for a bobcat

Hi Kirt,
I stopped by Competition last night to look at the track; the tractor that I was looking into would be too big to manuver around. I called Casle Rent-all (http://www.casalerentall.com/) in Clifton Park for a quote on a skidsteer. They are getting $175/day. Not sure what ABLE is getting for a quote but a skidsteer would be much easier than a tractor with loader. I will not be able to be there tonight but please post what you are going to do. I am planning on coming down Saturday and could look into getting a truck and trailer to deliver the equipment.
Thanxs,
Todd

A pathetically small group (person ) last night, so much for mid-weeks being better than weekends. At this rate we open in June or July; unless I loose interest in which case....................................


Roll Call for Saturday, as we can stop now.

Even if you're racing at Big Mikes in the PM we can still use you for 3 hours in the AM.

Kirt i will be there sat at about 9am i will bring tools to build the tables.if theres any thing else that i need like screws,glue,exc just let me know. Bob

Kirt,
I am heading down with Bob so I will see you @ 9:00.

-Todd

We've got treated lumber and two boxes of screws


I've borrowed a truck and am working on the skid-steer

Kirt,

I will be there to help, but it may not by until afternoon, will get there as soon as I can

Kirt ..I'am NOT running yet either. This weather put all of us back a few weeks. I was finally able to start working on the track today. Good luck with the help if you get any.

Big Mike

I'll be able to make it for the first half of the day. See you at 9:00

Oh what a beuatiful day on Sat.; and a great group of workers.

Drainage System.....Done
Outside walls..........Up just need a fresh coat of paint after clay is spread
Scoring loop...........Installed in copnduit to the new scoring area (outside turn 4)
Pit Tables...3 New ones and all old ones repaired by next weekend. One table is having it's bench removed to accommodate handicapped access...after all we are an equal opportunity club


Monday Night, 23 April....
....New Street Light in Turns 3 & 4
....Trenching and pipe laying for permenant wiring to all pit table; which will include receptacles and lights
....Adding stiffening rails to the drivers stand

New Club Motors are in my posession and they will be able to be picked up on Monday at the ...not the small track.............Not the BIG TRACK
..............simply..............The Track


Sat 28 Apr.....The Spreading of the Clay

Now; I am still a little miffed at the small turn-out and mostly by the same few dedicated people...spread the word, make some calls if you can't make it to someone who might not be watching the thread; so we can wrap this up an dget on with the show


Monday..........30 April................Opening Night

See Ya...........At The Track
Kirt

Sad but True


Last years average attendance on Race night: 60 entries with 50 bodies

This years average attendance on work events 3, with 7 total helpers

I am proud of the Club's heritage, but am sorrowed by the future's outlook

kirt sorry i could not make it down there for the past few work days and by the way things look with work i may miss the first few weeks of racing :cry: :mad:

Kirt we made the 3rd table and did the best we could with what we had to work with on the others.were going to try to finish them next tuesday.sorry that we couldnt make it last night.its to bad that only a handful of people showed up to do all the work.but for what its worth we appreciate all that you do for the CLUB. thanks the Hollners

Sounds like everyone but a select few, want to just play and no work.... Thats too bad, the members make the club. Please Pitch in..... Kirt I applaud you... They will regret it, if you say, see ya!!! Lets see the club then. Wake up world.
Team 21 Speedway is up and running... no score system.. After hours working on 2 modifieds, giving the wife loving, work, I still find time to groom the track and make it great for those who want to play. $50 big ones to the A main winner, once a month. Will prob have to use hand clickers to count laps. Oh well, did it that way for years. Unless someone has a system to use.

Kirt...Your a better man then most!!!! I know what it's like to work alone on a track I've been doing it. But this is my own track and I'm not a "CLUB". As a "CLUB" you would think you would have more then enough bodies and all the work done by now with all the work session you've had already. Like Billy said You need to take a step back and think "Is it really worth it to bust your ass" if no one else cares enough to help the "CLUB" out with a place to race. By the sounds of it without you their probably wouldn't be a CDRC DIRT SEASON!!! And even when you get it all done (if it all gets done) you'll get the know it alls that will put in there two cents on how it should have been done and what they would have done different or you'll just get the complainers.
My hats off too you and the three or four others i hope it works out for you if not you always have the "PINE BOWL" to bust your ass on (Theres an idea) Less head aches. :rolleyes:

My hats off to you Kirt , your the best and a great man , you do so much for us and i just want to say THANKS , i know i could'nt do all you do .
Is there a phone list for the club members still ? I'll make some calls if you need me too , might want to get some names and numbers to get a list together , i will do that for ya when the season starts ,thanks again Dave Lareau

p.s. Hats off to the table gang also , u guys ROCK !!!!!

Hi Guys, I'm still in London and hope to return in time to go racing next week. I collected a good list of emails and phone numbers from the carpet gang and we can start there to notify people. One of the problems with finding workers may be that we have posted it on this new thread and many people may not have subscribed to it yet. LEts post the next work day on the carpet thread to let them know to subscribe to this one.

P.S. Bill (Team 21) and Big mike. I bought parts enough to build 2 amb 8800 scoring systems (long story) with computers. I plan to use one at a full size carpet track in my office where we have 12 Legends running at lunch time every day (great fringe benefit to work for Autotask) and I have one that I will probably sell, rent, loan... The only thing is that they need to run on a desktop, not a laptop and they will not work with personal transponders.

- Bob

Bob....Where can i get a job like yours???It must be nice to race every day on the job. Thanks for the offer on the counting system but we already bought one over the winter. :thumbsup:

Big Mike

Racers

Where can you get free coffee, free donuts, and free lunch ???

(Who said ther's no such thing as a free lunch??)

Where else but Competition Hobbies Saturday 28 April 9:30 to 3:00
All's you need to bring is your unbridled ambition, euphoric enthusiasm, shovel and backbone to help get YOUR track ready.


Opening night 30 April Organized Hot Lap Sessions


See Ya................At The Track
Kirt
Cell 727-3456

Kirt, my hat's off to you man!!!! Clubs are mostly all the same. i used to be in a Snowmoblie club that had 207 members and "us" six guys did all the work building bridges / trails, making and outting up signs etc.

i've been sick or i would have been there.
John

Kirt - I will be there on Saturday morning. What is the plan if the weather is bad? Are you renting a skidsteer or something for saturday no matter what? I will plan on bringing a bunch of tools. Thanks
Steve

so when is the season going to start....