|
The Problem
Most non stable surface dirt is moved to the top of the track by the lateral sliding force of the racing cars. Additionally their hot tires convert a large percentage into fine, powder-like dust that won't take water. Motor Graders with standard blades scrape the surface producing more water-resistant, powdery surface dust in the process of moving the excess cushion down the slope and leveling as the track is prepared for the next show.
The fine powder clogs up the surface cracks in the groove. This prevents water from properly hydrating the area, causing dry-slick patches. The larger the cushion, the bigger the dry-slick patches. This repeats each time the track is prepared, often becoming progressively worse.
The Solution
Permit your track to remain sealed (protected against rain and wind erosion damage) between shows as long as possible. We recommend starting the evening before the show at the earliest, provided rain is not expected that night or show day morning. This strategy greatly reduces your man hours cost, counterproductive heavy equipment damage to the track, and the number of variables you must compensate for. Work your racing surface with the Cracker-Blade to shatter and break up the race-hardened crust, forming powder-free dirt chunks on the surface and mini v-grooves which are an ideal pathway for water to soak into the track without loosening the hard and stable sub-base. The Cracker-Blade's mounting plates bolt on your graders' mold-board and act like a heavy-duty rake with reversible and replaceable cutter-blades. The Cracker-Blade loosens only about half of the top surface and does not work the untouched raised rails formed between the grooves. The average amount of the dirt worked and later wheel-packed is about one inch. Therefore, your racing surface will be hard and stable with multiple lanes available for exciting wheel-to-wheel racing without track related limitations. Additionally, the cushion will be smaller and less of a problem each time you prepare your track. Your entire track will uniformly accept water and it will continue to pump moisture all evening, making the full track width safer for wheel-to-wheel racing. Any subsurface rocks and stones will remain locked within the hard sub-base. Additionally, track preparation related dust will be virtually eliminated.
In addition to cutting your water usage by half or less, the race cars will not be taking 250 to 300 pounds of mud back to the pit area.
The Acid Test
On September 8th and 9th of 2006, the 36th Annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway was widely reported to be absolutely outstanding - the most exciting competition in the history of the event. You be the judge! Is this show the best dirt racing in the history of the event? Was this show the most exciting Dirt Late Model racing in the history of the sport? The still photographs of the track shown at the bottom of the photos page are inadequate to show the quality of the racing surface. Evaluation of the excellent quality DVD set including the heated races through the A-main event by Sports Plus Video (www.sportsplusvideo.com) is proof positive that team Eldora, with the help of Track Tech Concepts' Cracker-Blade, has set a new benchmark for dirt track racing. You can easily see that other than adding water, the racing surface shows no evidence that any mechanical work was performed throughout the show. This was the fourth show since the Cracker-Blade arrived at Eldora on August 14th.
It most often takes 2-4 track preparations with the Cracker-Blade to develop the ideal amount of water and application methods for your track.
The Track's Integrity
During the 100 lap A-main event the caution flag was used only 3 times due to driver errors. The tow truck was never needed. "At one point late in the race, the top eight cars were in contention for the front spot. The crowd of 20,000-plus fans never sat down for approximately the last twenty-five laps." ~ Page 46, Dirt Late Model, Nov. 2006 Issue Two weeks later, when preparing for the Mopar Thunder at the USAC 4 Crown Nationals show, Larry Kemp was amazed to discover that the groove was still smooth and hard, requiring only a quick run-in (dragging a length of cyclone fence) after the top and bottom were touched up. The sprint fast time 14.712 - a new track record - was set by Jerry Coons Jr. The rain showers arrived Friday night and again Saturday afternoon through the night, but the track's surface integrity permitted the show to be completed about 8:00 AM Sunday morning. The Cracker-Blade creates hard raised rails between the continuous mini-v-grooves (running with the traffic) which appears to enhance traction in the turns. |
| Home | About | Photos | Benefits | Steps |