Tabushi

iTrader: (1)

Hi guys,


Im from Chile - Southamerica, we have a track project but the dirt its a little loose and we were looking at USA Track Videos and you seem to use some component/additive to make the track firmer right ? (Blue Groove or something like that ?) ...

Anyone have info on those additives and links to check online about them ?

thanks a lot,

Davidka

iTrader: (86)

One commonly used additive is calcium chloride. It helps the dirt maintain moisture and keep from breaking up as easily. When mixed heavily it can make for an abrasive surface that gives great traction but eats tires and chassis plates.

Bodido

There is a product used at construction sites for keeping dust down. It is called Soil Cement. It is bought in 55 gallon drums, mixed with water and sprayed on the track. It works pretty well, but has the same negative effect Davidka spoke of. Destroys tires very quickly, especially if your soil is particularly high in sand content.


Blue Groove isn't actually an additive or a product. It's just a way of describing a track that is very hard packed and has rubber (from the tires) building up on the surface of the track.

Davidka

iTrader: (86)

If your dirt is more of a soil and less of a sand/dust I would just leave it that way and run knobby tires. It makes for a very fun surface to run on, tires last a long time and the dirt is softer so that cars don't break shock towers and stuff like that as often.

Wouter.Z

http://www.dow.com/calcium/app/dust.htm

sport10

I also heard of spraying grape soda into the corners to bring up the traction. This is a trick used onroad that also works in offroad.

Aaron Waldron

Salt is sodium chloride. Calcium chloride is different stuff.

TT120

iTrader: (8)

Most tracks around here add clay to the soil. Holds moisture well and can be packed down nicely. The "blue groove" develops after about 2 to 3 weeks of racing.

The Fuhrer

iTrader: (12)

Hi Guy's,

We sometimes use PVA glue (Bondcrete) to treat our tracks.
It works well on loose/dusty type dirt/soil, does'nt seem to work on fine clay though.

Mixed in a watering can, say 300ml to 4lt, then water it on. A broom can be used to provide a texture and even coverage.

Hope this helps.

better

iTrader: (3)

we mix in sawdust at our track most supercross tracks use it it bonds with the dust and dirt keeping the traction up dust down, and it acts like a sponge with water. Its new for this year so far its great, less mud on the cars too when watered.

If we are talking outdoor?

blue groove in my opion is not for outdoor tracks the wind, sun and rain can make a blue groove a mud groove or dust groove or the water doesn't drain at all making puddles

The Fuhrer

iTrader: (12)

Better,

How do you Guy's apply the sawdust?

This sounds like it would be perfect for our track, as our part of State has high annual rainfall.

better

iTrader: (3)

Just mix it in with the dirt with a drag make sure not to add to much it can make it allmost too loamy, you will be suprised by how much water it will soak up without puddling.

but if you want a hard pack blue grove track its not for you if you add too much it will not pack

1/8 inch on top dragged in will be close to what you need, we added 1inch and it was too much, but it will go rot away in 2 to 3 months ( that was 12 yards too a 210ft x 175 track for 1 inch of cover.