ouch 1,191 Posted June 8, 2013 What is it with track prep these days. It seems more and more that things are going wrong - badly and it needs to be addressed across the board. We had the Belle Vue call off last year then the Aces were met with similar surfaces at Wolves and Coventry later that year. Coventry are regularly getting slated along with Poole but there seems to be issues everywhere and of course we had the Cardiff fiasco the other week. It all seems a bit ad hoc when perhaps the time has come to sit down and collectively sort it out. Is it the material? Is it the bikes? Is it the riders? Is it the weather? Is it the track staff? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted June 8, 2013 The material used has more clay than it used to have, It is less porous than the stuff we used to have. It is more prone to ruts which lead to problems with directional stability. Tracks these days are often smaller than those of the past and that leads to harder turning and more potential damage. This is all combined with higher revving bikes with shallower treaded tyres and riders demanding tracks that make turning as easy as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedwaysliders 176 Posted June 8, 2013 (edited) The material used has more clay than it used to have, It is less porous than the stuff we used to have. It is more prone to ruts which lead to problems with directional stability. Tracks these days are often smaller than those of the past and that leads to harder turning and more potential damage. This is all combined with higher revving bikes with shallower treaded tyres and riders demanding tracks that make turning as easy as possible. Good post but any idea of a positive solution that can be carried out and put on all tracks? There must be someone who can come up with a solution in this day and age rather then plod on with what we have.maybe ask the people who make the polytrack for horse race meetings,or the fibresand they also use.There must be something that can be done as standard. Edited June 8, 2013 by speedwaysliders 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deano 1,318 Posted June 9, 2013 Why have they never moved to concrete bases? Would improve drainage surely? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Triple.H. 1,986 Posted June 9, 2013 In Europe they grade in a clockwise direction,so against the way the riders go. Got to be worth a try surely it cant make it any worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattK 3,447 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if this is other symptom of cost cutting? Less money spend on materials and preparation lead to a poorer quality surface and in turn a knock-on effect on the racing. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if this is other symptom of cost cutting? Less money spend on materials and preparation lead to a poorer quality surface and in turn a knock-on effect on the racing. I fear you might have hit the nail on the head with that one Matt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orion 7,615 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if this is other symptom of cost cutting? Less money spend on materials and preparation lead to a poorer quality surface and in turn a knock-on effect on the racing. Spot on ..end of topic 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Catalan 717 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if this is other symptom of cost cutting? Less money spend on materials and preparation lead to a poorer quality surface and in turn a knock-on effect on the racing. Think you are correct but how short sighted is that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted June 9, 2013 Think you are correct but how short sighted is that? Very - but they will justify it by saying that they can't afford to do anything else. :neutral: They need to produce good Racing Tracks or Speedway will continue to haemorrhage Supporters. If they don't we are in for the long painful death of our Sport. :sad: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mad Potter 2 109 Posted June 9, 2013 What is it with track prep these days. It seems more and more that things are going wrong - badly and it needs to be addressed across the board. We had the Belle Vue call off last year then the Aces were met with similar surfaces at Wolves and Coventry later that year. Coventry are regularly getting slated along with Poole but there seems to be issues everywhere and of course we had the Cardiff fiasco the other week. It all seems a bit ad hoc when perhaps the time has come to sit down and collectively sort it out. Is it the material? Is it the bikes? Is it the riders? Is it the weather? Is it the track staff? You don’t get Castrol 'R' on the tracks any more. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ouch 1,191 Posted June 9, 2013 I've thought about that. Would there been any benefit in putting waste oil in there or is it daft in this day and age? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted June 9, 2013 I've thought about that. Would there been any benefit in putting waste oil in there or is it daft in this day and age? It's use would still be of value today, by binding the shale. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted June 10, 2013 It's use would still be of value today, by binding the shale. Problem is that the H&S and the environment people don't like it. We drag OIL up through the ground - but - we aren't allowed to put a little (very little) back. Good grief - they even have to have mats under the Bikes in the Pits these days. :angry: Bloody ridiculous. :mad: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crescent girl 1,907 Posted June 10, 2013 In Europe they grade in a clockwise direction,so against the way the riders go. Got to be worth a try surely it cant make it any worst. They grade clockwise at Berwick. Doesn't everyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
