Hello everyone,

This is my first post here. I am workign with the owner of a 1/5 mile asphalt track in Iowa that may be interested in running an RC class in between the heats and features of the karts on Saturdays. I remember when i was a kid subscribing to RCCA that I loved reading about Thunderdome in California. I know this tracks 17 degree bankings arent as much as that track but I believe this track has huge potential to become a midwest version.

The owner has expressed interest in this but is unsure of where to go and how to get this going.

First off, does anyone think there is any interest for this in the midwest?

Steve

There are several of us in Iowa that run caps, we run in Marshalltown, a concrete high banked track with a runline of about 390 feet, and there is an asphalt track in Cedar Rapids that several of us run on it is also a cap tire track. I would say that there are probably between 20 and 30 racers in this area that race outdoors in this area.

If it is really good there are people in Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska that have attended races at the above tracks, if I include those racers you could get a field of over 50 racers.

Where is the track located and can you let us know about the surface and any pictures could be helpful.

Thanks for the reply. I need to get to 2 posts to add any images or links.

My magical 3rd post.

The track is located in Jamaica, IA (1 hour west of Des Moines). The track is smooth and considered one of the best tracks in the nation for kart racing. I am not sure how you figure runline but 1/5 mile would be 1056 feet. I suppose this track would be the Daytona of RC Racing. He has all the fence in place for karts and should translate to safety for the RC cars. In corner 3 he has a stand that would hold 10 people easily (and I think he would be open to building more if the need was there). By the stand in turn 3 is the tech shed that he said could be outfitted with benches if thats what you needed. I have never been to an RC event, is it something you generally run out of a trailer/trunk/or 10X10 pop-up tent or are you in a building?

Website is www.jamaicaraceway.com

http://www.c2all.com/upload/pictures/796/DSC010302.JPG

Thanks for posting the information. It appears to be a very nice facility.

There are a few racers that have trailers, but most use EZ-ups, we do need to have access to electricity for charging batteries.

I would at some point like to look at the track in person, just to see how smooth it really is, smooth for go karts may not be smooth enough for RC cars.

It does hold some potential, I have never raced at a velodrome, but they are extremely smooth and have lots of banking, which may cause problems at this location.

Send me a PM with your phone number and I will call you if I'm going to be in the area, my family is from the Des Moines area.

I'm one of the guys that AJ is talking about in the area that runs on the 2 outdoor ovals. I live in Ames now and not too far away. I'd also like to come down sometime and check the track out. We probably won't have the cars ready for running until late april but as soon as it get's warm enough I'm sure a couple of us could come down and try it out.

One concern I have is a drivers stand and the range from that stand to the other side of the track. It looks like the stand in turn 3 would be pretty far from turn 1.

But yeah looks like it would be fun to try.

AJS,

I will probably PM you the track owners phone number and let him take it from there to see if you can work something out. Thank you for replying. There is a video on the website to take a lap around the track.

I don't know how big the quarter scale following is here in Iowa area but it would probably more suited to them.

1/4 scale would look good on this track

you will definitly need a velodrome tire!!! i think it will work even with the low banking you would be surprised!!! if any of you vinton guys want to test there i have tons of brand new velo tires, just let me know before the brl race and i will bring them with me and you can use them no charge! i love velo racing that would be my contribution to see if it will work!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
rick k.

I sent AJS a PM with the track owners Number.

I cant wait to see how the practice goes.

Steve