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Backyard Track Layout 2008 -
01-18-2008, 09:57 AM
It won't be too long before spring is here and I must mark out an area in the farm field for the 2008 off-road track layout. In 2007, the track was close to my pine trees -- in 2008 I want to shift it over a bit so I can be more agressive on the weed control without killing trees.
Last year's layout with 8-foot lanes fit in an area 50 feet wide and 32 feet deep on the left and 42 feet deep on the right if you look at the attachment. There were no elevation changes -- I am not equipped at the moment for much building of jumps and elevation changes. I thought I made pretty good use of that space last year (many different turning angles, kink in the straight to make it a close call, so it was kind of fun), but I am trying to figure out a bigger layout for this year. When I try to design a bigger layout, I get kind of lost -- I know there is the traditional back straight, but then all the rest of my design just gets kind of lost and without purpose. If anyone has some good layout suggestions, I would love to see them -- either rectangular area with pipes or even some grass infield. 
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01-22-2008, 09:30 PM
I was playing with this shape which might be about 50 feet deep and maybe 120-140 wide. It looks better when I draw it freehand than on the computer. It is kind of my old layout stretched out and rounded off. By keeping it not too deep (~50'), I get a good balance of track and farmland, so the farm tractor has fewer odd corners to plant around.
One pet peave of mine is when you have a rectangular track and the drivers' stand is right up on the track and you have to lean a bit trying to look past the other drivers radios or bodies when you are off on the far sides of the track. This would be mostly and undulating track (subtle rises, slight off-cambers & banks, some rough) more than a good elevation-changing track. The back straight is slightly reflexed on purpose. If I had equipment (shovel  ) to make jumps, there might be a nice double right in front of the drivers' stand (where stand = the ground), but with it being flat-ish, I can more easily get the tractor-tiller out to freshen it up.
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01-22-2008, 09:57 PM
I dont know if you race much but one good thing about just doing a track like that is you should be able to get an idea os a good dry dusty condition track and maybe some changes you could make to help improve traction. Just a thought. Looks good man
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01-23-2008, 07:14 AM
Ken! Bring the kids too. I have been so confused. Racing used to be so simple. Maybe it still is. There are fewer tracks that I know of. I am not connected to the same racing crowd I used to be. There are so many racing choices/classes it makes my head hurt. I now have a family and am working like a dog. But, I love racing, so here it goes:
You remember Spud's racetrack -- I think my dirt is kind of like his, and I like they way he got the grass edges against his dirt. Probably in April whenever the ground seems OK (and before the crops go in), I will go out there with the tiller and lay it out. I'm not sure if I should add in some salt for weed suppression -- any suggestions? I hit the track with Round-up last year, but the weeds were really strong and we had tons of rain, so it was a tough battle. I might just have to go out and buy a port-john -- I think they sell for $300-$500 for basic ones. If anyone has leads on one, please let me know. Location will be here: 25004 jackson road, marengo, il - Google Maps If you look north of the green-roofed house, you see a burn pile sitting out in the field -- that will be burnt and then the southern edge of the track will be there, with the driver's area (can't call it a stand) will be just south of that. The east edge of the track will go over to the tree line. The west edge of the track will be an equal amount to the west, so that the driver's area is kind of in the middle of the width.
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01-24-2008, 01:30 AM
wow you are only 10-15 min from me! I love google maps, my community isnt even on the map yet! I had a house built right in the triangle of belvidere, logan and 20. serously if you need a hand building or breaking in give a holler!
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01-24-2008, 05:29 AM
I know that triangle area. I go by there all the time. Is it across the street from Hick's Gas and near the new Sherwin Williams?
Well, I was doing some scale drawings last night on paper with a pen with a 140' wide by 50' deep version and I am not sure if it will look right in real life. So I am thinking the first cut should be all flat and then give it a test run. If it needs a new shape somewhere, it would be easy to re-cut it. If the track is then good enough in 2-dimensions, maybe I could use advice and/or equipment and/or help adding some elevation. I noticed that the Grand Rental Station in Marengo will rent out a Dingo with its own trailer for $180 per day, if need be. I had one racer inquire via PM whether this is a 1/8 nitro track. I must say  it will have to focus exclusively on electric (1/10, 1/18, 1/8 ) because of the noise limits pretty much.So, Mr. Savage, I would start out with kind of low expectations first this spring -- a basic dirt track and a porta-john (hopefully), with extension cords from my house or barn, and a long hose going to the track, with some rakes and shovels sitting around for touch-ups. Then, I will listen to some advice (selectively, of course) and see what is worth doing next. Breaking in will definitely need some help there.
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01-29-2008, 07:43 AM
I think something like this is kind of the idea I would like to go for:
HobbyAus - Indy Radio Control Off Road Circuit - Butterfly Farm, Windsor, NSW, Australia I am a bit unsure about what to do for a driver's stand right now. I have been looking through ideas such as dirt mounds, trailers, catwalk and mezzanine pieces, overseas shipping/cargo containers. I know mostly they are build out of lumber -- I just hate to go get a building permit and have any chance for my property tax increases (beyond the other increases). Plus the lumber itself is not exactly cheap. I am open for ideas on the driver's stand -- we are talking about 1) good value and 2) don't make my property taxes go up.
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01-29-2008, 08:50 AM
pallet racks
http://www.sjf.com/rack/teardropupright.jpg Used they are really cheap. they can be put up with a rubber mallet. They'd store in very little space when not in use.
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01-29-2008, 10:39 PM
Now that (picnic tables) is a good one. You can pit and drive from the same spot. I was just recalling that the stand at MARCCA (Madison, WI) is only about 4' off the ground. Then I rememberthat Valley Farms raceway (from Cherry Valley in the old days) was even shorter.
I have been looking around for many ideas. I found some folks using those big wooden spools that you carry wire on. But I have to admit the picnic table idea is just funny and smart at the same time. In the meantime, I have been chasing down pallet rack info -- especially how to do the stairs, stair-gate, and rails. Hmmmm.... picnic tables.
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03-17-2008, 02:10 PM
I was out in the yard today. The mud is mostly firm with frost, and my burn pile is still unburnt. I was marking out corners and bondaries and felt that beyond a certain size track would get difficult to see and manage.
So I tweaked the layout from last year to be just a bit bigger (extending more out to the left) and then drew that out in the attahed picture, mostly to scale with 8 ft. lanes. Any better ideas are still welcomed.
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03-17-2008, 03:00 PM
Heres my idea of a fun track. Green line is the start, red is finish line. Balls out drag race with a crossing in the middle. Either you go all out or you go home.
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03-18-2008, 10:36 PM
we need ramps in the mid if we are goin all out! lol
looks good tho! if the race em rc thing goes through this will be a great place to test your stuff before leavin the house. looks like a good bbq and bash spot also! |
if the wife lets me out of her sights for a bit ill give ya a hand building it
