I'm building a track in my office parking lot as a home track to race on when I can't afford gas to travel and have some question about track construction.

1) What is used for ice in the turns of a flat oval?

2) What are basic sizes of the track (lane widths, infield width, snowbirds size, etc...)

3) Which is better for traction, sugar water or grape soda?

4) What have any of you used for barriers outside and inside? I was planning to use the vinyl fence railing (2 x 6) that Lowes sells for the outside barriers and 2" pvc pipe for the infield barrier.

Any help you guys could give would be awesome.:thumbsup:

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

That PVC Fencing works great for outter walls, I believe (at least at Home Depot) it's sold in 20 foot lengths.

Myself for outter walls I use PVC Rain Gutter "Down Spout" that is sold in 10ft lengths and is square (3 x 3 I believe) I use the same down spout for the insides when needed. (Usually just a single strip up the center)

Ice, if the lot is smooth enough - the white hard wall board works well (as long as the asphalt is smooth and flat...it will lay down ok. Then tape it down w/ Duct Tape or Gorilla Tape)

I also use WHITE Duct Tape as the inside track line (Instead of a barrier) and generally run 18 - 22 ft. wide lanes.

For traction spray - I use the inexpensive ROOT BEER from Wal-Mart. (Like .67c per 2 liter) and I use a 3/32 drill bit and drill 2 holes in the cap....then SHAKE and SPRAY on the surface.

For size - locally I usually run 100 - 110 ft outer length - and 70 - 80 ft wide.

I agree with Joe, I wouldn't waste any money on an infield barrier. Make sure to tape down the ice, and that should be enough to get you going.

We use old fire hose for inside barrier, usually get free from local fire dept,s.

http://www.finishlinefamilyrc.com/album.html

guys thanks for the pointers, that's a big help.

captdan, cool pics. What did you guys use for the outer barrier? Scaffolding for a drivers stand? Didn't think of that, great idea.

Bill

Bill,
The outer walls are vinyl fencing,I believe it comes in 16 ft. sections.The "dots" are old plow disc,s.Our track size is 300 ft. driving line, maybe 12-15 ft. wide.
We prepare with cheap soda.
Good Luck!

Bill,
The outer walls are vinyl fencing,I believe it comes in 16 ft. sections.
Good Luck!

How did you guys connect the ends of the fencing?

Bill

How did you guys connect the ends of the fencing?

Bill

I think one of our guys took 2 x 4,s and ripped them down to fit inside the ends.
They are attached (screwed) on one end and slipped together.

Bill,

Did you ever build this track?

Bill,

Did you ever build this track?

Sure did. We put together a track about 54' x 85' and ran some VTA and Mini Coopers on a road course and had a blast. We also had a 40' x 85' oval track that was pretty cool. :thumbsup: We ended up using the 2 x 6 PVC fencing rails for the border and 1 1/2 PVC pipe for the interior barriers. Made some flappers at the ends of the turns that worked pretty good but we need a better solution for that. Track turned out pretty good but we haven't gotten a scoring system yet.

Just in the beginning stages and trying to build interest (so far about 6 guys without even trying). It's getting a little cold and rainy here so I've been running at an indoor track about an hour and a half away and taking some of the guys with me.

I'm actually in the process of purchasing a building to put an indoor carpet track in, hope to have it going next fall before oval season starts again.

Bill