Possible new outdoor track bedfordshire area?

[ejw]

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

Not sure if this is the best place to post this one but seems as good as any!

I have an opportunity to build a decent sized track on some secure land that i now have unlimited access and use of. My questions are thus:

1) The track would be in the Leighton Buzzard area of bedfordshire, would their be a demand for a good quality outdoor track in this area for use in both race meetings and or general practice days?

2) If i was to go ahead with this it would seem obvious to use astroturf to give maximum useability in a range of weather or is their a better option, maybe a dirt track as clearly fewer of these around (probably for good reason)?

3) Are their any clubs locally this area that might appreciate the use of this type of facility for regular meetings etc? I believe that Leighton Buzzard has a club but that it is predominantly on road!

4) The land in question is already available to me and will continue to be whether i proceed with track or not (land has not been secured solely for the purpose of rc track) so minimal financial risk involved for me, however anyone with experience of setting up and or running a track of this type i would appreciate any advise you could give, pitfalls etc, even if that might be dont bloody do it, its a pain in the arse.

Anyway, would appreciate any comments on the idea generally and especially from those that might actually wish to use such a track in this area.

Cheers

[spenner]

Maybe speak to Matt James from Telstar, he runs an indoor club near Milton Keynes and although it is a little distance he isn't too far.

He could be interested i am sure in getting involved ..

Another track in the area is good...

[mattybucks]

Thanks for the plug Jon.

Yes this is something I'd be interested in!

[chuckie stella]

More the better!! Matt would be perfect as he's proving at his indoor club!

[ejw]

Well thats a good start, "can never have enough good tracks" is the way i also saw it but hard to tell whether would be treading on anyones toes or would be enough of a call for it to make it something other than my own personal practise track (believe me i need the practise).

Thanks for the suggestions guys, the idea literally came to me yesterday so have a fair bit of stuff to think about and work out in terms of how the site would work etc and really wanted to see if their was an interest.

Mat, appreciate your interest in this, not been up to your meetings but watched all the facebook stuff and hearing alot of good reports etc, once i have time to gauge the interest a bit more and work out a few details it might be good to have a chat in more depth.

What about track surface, Astro?

[mattybucks]

It depends on how much £ your willing/got to spend, but the benefit of astro is that you can race on it all year round.

[ejw]

Makes sense, gotta love driving in the rain,

Any ideas on approximate cost of the stuff, can you buy it used? would it be any good in that state anyway, nick it off local football facility? (just kidding), buying brand new i assume its not technical to lay, i assume its a DIY Job!

Anyone done it?

[taz5311]

Hi,
Yeah the Leighton buzzard club is mainly on-road, although a few of us have looked at trying to sort out an off-road event.
I live in linslade so would be up for helping as much as I can, (health permitting).
As one of the organisers of the uk shortcourse nationals we would be interested in a track here.
Would it be possible to build both an astro and dirt track?

Does the location limit use to electric or would you be able to use nitro/petrol? just a thought as to a wider type of venue.

Cheers
Stef

[ejw]

Hi Stef

Site would be suitable for both electric and nitro, not a nitro man myself but certainly wouldnt let that get in the way of making the facility as diverse in terms of usage as poss.

The site is potentially big enough for two tracks but wouldn't want to do that at the expense of both if that makes sense. Thanks for your interest and support, really hope their is enough interest to make it viable.

Will keep your details Stef and keep you informed of any progress on this.

[learnerdriver]

Hi
as stef has said earlier, there are a few of us at leighton buzzard that are interested in racing offroad
If yoou get a chance, pop along tomorrow night to brooklands school as we are running indoor onroad tomorrow night from 7 till 10. Ask for me and we can have a chat
chris h

[ejw]

Cannot make tonight unfortunately Chris but maybe able to get over in the next few weeks. As I said to Stef I will keep you informed of any progress/decisions on this if it looks like going ahead!

Again appreciate the interest!