Indoor Off Road Track Ideas

[mattybucks]

Hi Guys,

Some new features are being built this weekend including a wall of death, corner tabletop, and some sleeping policemen.

These will be introduced the following Wednesday ahead of the First Round of the winter series on the 9th August.

Is there anything else you would like to see in terms of features? Track layout? Or any other general feedback?

[RogerM]

In my opinion the biggest crime commited on indoor track design is to try and fit huge amounts of features in to too small a space. The result is that the track becomes more an obsticle course than a race track (part of the reason I dislike Worksop so much is they have always done this when I've been there).

Also make sure that features can be "rolled" by the less able or else they won't come back for a 2nd event and remember if a feature can't be marshalled it will cause problems.

The only other bit of advice I'd give is "don't try to cram too much in and make sure it's all marshal covered and there is a get out clause for the less able" ... of and a 3rd thing "don't try to cram too much in... "

In all seriousness the tracks that Newbury club built and 99% of what Ardent used last year worked well because they didn't try to over complicate things.

Others may have a different opinion of course.

[Chris-S]

-Crossovers
-Different surfaces (e.g wooden board instead of carpet)
-Rough sections (e.g. track dots placed across the track)

Taplow have had some very good layouts recently and all the features are doable by everyone.

[Dyna]

I dont know how big your area is, we have a small-ish hall at Caldicot but we have a excellent track designer in Blue_Pinky, and other experienced drivers that help out designing or 'tweaking' when needed.

I notice you said wall-of-death... thats one of Caldicots most requested track features

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=capEBMwLqDk

When you get it right and have the balls to keep the throttle planted at 100%, it is ace to run We have lost the odd car over the back though.. including one of mine

But Roger is completely right, too many 'features' slow down the flow too much. Marshalling space is also important - great having a track that uses all the available space, but if you turn over in the middle and a marshal has to run over two or more lanes/features to get to you, you can lose 10 seconds or more whilst he/she waits for traffic to pass so they can get to you.... that's effectively the end of your qualy run for that heat.

Experiment a bit though, but start simple-ish and work up, rather than the other way round.

Good luck, and remember to take some pics of good tracks and keep a file of them & their plans like we do

[RogerM]

I have to get back to Caldicot .. well reminded!

[blue_pinky]

Dyna's link shows one of the banked corners we build from time to time...the most fun track feature ever without doubt! Made from sheets of 6mm ply and hardboard, gaffa'd together and resting on chairs behind/underneath.

But...

...you asked about wall of death...well for that you need to look at these vids!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQh7P...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMKGx...eature=related

Made from sheets of 18mm ply...resting straight against the end wall, with hardboard curving/smoothing the on/off shape. We did screw them together with 2"x1" lengths to get the joins level and smooth, it was a weekend event with international entries...so wanted to make sure it was solid!

A micro event in this case, but on the type of track we usually run 10th's on every Friday night. Great fun!

[slow bob]

Can we get a picture of the track space just to get an idea of what we have to work with for ideas ..

Thanks

[Nick Goodall]

Cross overs :-) - See below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdbNvYc2jhQ

Another track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF9baSiZclA

[mattybucks]

Thanks guys, we've taken some of your suggestions as well as some of our own, placed a massive order of ramp building materials, and are going for a wall of death, corner table top, sleeping policeman, and a crossover/table-top style ramp.

They are being constructed over the weekend and photos will be availabe soon after. We will try some of the new features the Wednesday before the start of the Winter series on the 09 October.

[Gonky]

Sounds good matt, give me a shout if you need a hand with any of that, be happy to help out!