Track Extension

Hi Guys,

All of you would have (should have) received the mail regarding the track extension work that we are planning on doing.

If any of you have any ideas for the extension design or tips - then please shoot.

Bear in mind though, that the extension is being done with the aim of extending the main straight and making the track more "flowing" especially for F1, PAN and FWD cars.

Yes I have received the e-mail with regards to the track extension and maintenance ideas for 2014 - thank you.

I have been rather nervous to add my opinion on this matter, so have decided to see what others' have to say first.

I have been working on some of the old layouts I had for trccc, ammending them from a 5 lane layout to 6 lanes and then adding the extension on with cutouts to vary the track layout for different classes. The 3 designs I chose to work on were the ones that had a balance between technical and flowing sections. With the alterations I made extending them any one of the 3 can be turned into a very tight technical track or a long smooth flowing track or a mixture of both.

I will upload them in either sets of 2 or 3 together so you can see the transformation of what it was to what it is now.

This first one was originally 6 lanes wide, 204m long and 3m wide.






This second one was 5 lanes wide, 159m long and 3.25m wide.



Here I changed it to 6 lanes and 3m wide.






This third one was 6 lanes wide, 210m long and 3m wide.






Anyway, that's my 5c worth. Suggestions are most welcome.

Does anyone know the current dimensions of the tennis court at Protea Sports Club? (Feel like giving the track design(s) a go, what Sammy posted was rather inspiring.)

I am willing to make a donation - which I will do so in the next few weeks. The FWD will be put on hold... plus I have one or two other things I need.

Dion I am liking those designs, 3 and 4 especially.

Contro :- I will ask Kevin if he has dimensions, he was busy measuring today.

Depending on the design of the extension we are looking at total meter length of either 45m or 35m.  45m will make a turn and come back all the way to the main straight and turn onto the court there and 35m will put the extension coming onto the tennis court in the corner near the Ferodo sign.

One things for sure we are going to have a super nice long main straight!  

I did do a Google for tennis court dimensions, but noticed that the area between the actual court markings and fence differ - depending on how much space is available etc.

Controversy wrote:I did do a Google for tennis court dimensions, but noticed that the area between the actual court markings and fence differ - depending on how much space is available etc.

I think our fence is slightly further away from the lines because it was made for wheelchair tennis.

It should be 36m x 18m.

Wheelchair tennis; jeez that must be tough to do.

SammyD wrote:It should be 36m x 18m.

That would make 12 squares by 6 squares of 3m. I'll get a pencil and paper tomorrow and try my hand at track design.

Awesome Sam.

I like track picture 3 and 6.

Track is going to be awesome in the faster classes now

Pic No.3 was the sts track we used. Was an awesome track that, such close dices were had on those Sundays, seperated the boys from the manne!!

Was a bit bored with the crap weather outside so started fiddling with some more track designs. The layout possibilities are endless with some of these designs. Anyway, enjoy.

Controversy, how are your designs coming along? Post them up here.

Cool Sam

But I think those will be too technical therefore slower for classes like f1. Will be boring.....

But maybe I'm wrong....

You can do any sort of layout you like on there, as I said, the possibilities are endless. Fast and flowing or very tight and technical, it all depends on what you looking for for the different classes.

One thing I do want to stress to whomever is going to make the final decision as to a track design, once it's built, especially with cement curbs, you're stuck with it. So choose wisely and make sure you have enough layout options available to be able to change it up for different classes.

I think the only part that is going to be parmanent from the word go is the extension. The infield curbs etc will come after the club has generated some more funds.

Definitly think you are spot on though regarding having different options depending on class.

SammyD wrote:Controversy, how are your designs coming along? Post them up here.

Had my hands full with R/C maintenance and repairs the last couple of days. Still need to get around to the track designs but will post when I have them done.

Track extension idea shelved due to lack of support from members.

I was neither fore or against the extension, but here are some things to consider with a larger track.

Track:

- The need for more lights.
- More maintenance due to larger racing surface.
- Larger area for marshals to cover, (we will need more marshals).
- More rope and tires to mark out racing area.

Classes:

(Due to higher speeds, you can expect several things.)

- Greater tire wear.
- More gears will need to be purchased.
- Higher wear on bearings and electronics.
- Crashes will be much more severe.

On a more positive note, I'm just glad that I can return medals for reuse. I have a 1/12th Pan I'd like to return as my very first GT medal was discarded. (Sorry about that, medals really don't mean much to me.)

Controversy wrote:I was neither fore or against the extension, but here are some things to consider with a larger track.

Track:

- The need for more lights.
- More maintenance due to larger racing surface.
- Larger area for marshals to cover, (we will need more marshals).
- More rope and tires to mark out racing area.

Classes:

(Due to higher speeds, you can expect several things.)

- Greater tire wear.
- More gears will need to be purchased.
- Higher wear on bearings and electronics.
- Crashes will be much more severe.

On a more positive note, I'm just glad that I can return medals for reuse. I have a 1/12th Pan I'd like to return as my very first GT medal was discarded. (Sorry about that, medals really don't mean much to me.)

And to consider with our current track :-

Virtually identical laptimes with fast class cars to the slow cars
Lack of flow for F1 and Pan Cars
No scope to host a Tamiya cup event

Anyhow...I got outvoted, I am sure the improvements they are planning will make the track pretty.  Maybe new designs will make things better.

I must say I am very glad about getting some improved lighting.   

Looking forward to seeing how things develop, but from the backseat this time!

Yeah. We had a very good club meeting.

A lot of plans for improving trccc!!!!

Watch this space!!!!

Trccc rocks!!!!!


Thanks to all members and all guys who help out with the club in any way!!!

skillz wrote:Yeah. We had a very good club meeting.

A lot of plans for improving trccc!!!!

Watch this space!!!!

Trccc rocks!!!!!


Thanks to all members and all guys who help out with the club in any way!!!

This is the kind of attitude I like! Coming from our top driver, it's definitely inspiring and makes new members feel more welcome and a part of something!

Justin; baby steps. The club will get to that level eventually. I too wouldn't mind a bigger track and a Tamiya Cup as well, but may that come at a later stage.

Definately was a productive meeting, just the refreshments were missing!

As far as my tasks are concerned, track designs are done. I just hope you're all ready to race a new layout every week for the next year with all the cutout options available on the 3/4 designs, lol. Kev and Nev, I hope you ready for a looooong session of looking at track designs!! As for resurface mix, spoke to Thinus, he will get the recipe from the guy doing their track, might take a week or more though, but will stay on top of it.

Awesome stuff samjr!!!

Can't wait!!!